WATT RODS

Watt Rods: Volvo 240 EV Conversion

January 6, 2023

This classic Volvo 240 GL wagon goes fully electric in the Netherlands with a 100-mile range, and 10 years of reliability!

The vintage Volvo 240 GL wagon is one of the most recognizable car designs of the past fifty years. Of course, it’s debatable how much of that is attributable to good taste in general and how much is attributable to Volvo using 660 steel in the building of the cars, which prevents the kind of rusting that’s “taken care of” so many of the brand’s contemporaries.

Regardless, there is no disputing the fact that the majority of the still active Volvo 240 GLs would benefit significantly from having a new, somewhat more current engine installed under the hood in place of the old car’s asthmatic, 114 HP four-cylinder. No, to get the most out of an old 240, you really need something a little more … modern.

That’s the basic idea behind the car you see here. Built by Martijn Hendriks in the Netherlands, the car served as a springboard for Martjin to launch his EV conversion company specializing in old Volvos. Called “Volvo e-Mobility,” the company was founded way back in 2012, and this well-preserved and all-electric 240 GL has been Hendriks’ company car ever since. (!)

Classic Volvo Profile

_{Image courtesy Volvo e-Mobility, via CleanTechnica.}

On the outside, the car appears to be a somewhat typical example of the breed. Almost boring, in fact — and even the most inexperienced Volvo spotters might fail to find something inside that doesn’t seem to belong. That’s not to say Hendriks didn’t masterfully incorporate the EV’s “juice-ometer” into the dashboard; it’s the opposite!

With the exception of the fuel gauge, the classic 240’s interior seems impeccably clean and well-preserved. Take a look for yourself, and see if you agree.

EV Conversions Don’t Get Much Cleaner Than This

Beyond the dash, though, there really isn’t anything to visually confirm that this old Volvo is actually electric. Whether or not that’s a good or bad thing, however, is up to you.

With a top speed under 100 MPH and double-digit horsepower, this all-electric 240 GL isn’t exactly a dragster. Still, Hendriks claims it can travel at highway speeds with a range of 150 to 200 kilometers on a full L2 charge (about 100 miles).

Given that the car was constructed utilizing technologies from 2009 — and that it’s traveled tens of thousands of miles since being converted — we don’t think that’s too shabby at all! Take a look through the gallery, below, and let us know what you think of this battery brick in the comments.