British EV technology company Electrogenic has revealed its latest bespoke project: the electrification of a 1973 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI City of London official limousine. The historic machine has been converted to clean, silent and effortless electric power, enabling it to efficiently carry out its official duties within the city of London and beyond for decades to come.
The project was commissioned by Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley DBE – the 697th Lord Mayor of the City of London – and forms part of the City of London Corporation’s wider drive to achieve net zero carbon emissions for its own operations by 2027.
The Oxford based EV powertrain specialist was entrusted with sympathetically electrifying the Rolls-Royce, readying it for a zero-emissions future. The electrified Phantom VI will be on show at Salon Privé, held at Blenheim Palace, from the 2nd to 6th of September.
Steve Drummond, CEO, Electrogenic, said: “We were honoured to be asked to electrify this significant motor car, and to play a part in the City of London Corporation’s journey to net zero. When it was launched in the late 1960s, the Rolls-Royce VI was the most refined and dignified limousine on the road. Now, thanks to electrification, its core character has been enhanced further: it is whisper quiet, effortless to drive with swift performance, and emits zero tailpipe emissions.
“Our team has sympathetically preserved everything that made the original car so special, while giving it a clean, modern powertrain perfectly suited to carrying out ceremonial duties in a modern city. The result is the ideal ceremonial limousine, full of character and now future-proofed and preserved so Londoners can continue to enjoy it for decades to come.”
Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan Langley, added: “I’m delighted to see this iconic part of the City’s heritage being brought into the modern era. The Mayoral Ceremonial Fleet is a distinctive symbol of the City of London, and this project shows that preserving our traditions does not mean standing still.
“This is exactly the kind of innovation we should embrace: respecting our heritage while finding new ways to make the mayoralty more sustainable, relevant and fit for the future. I’m particularly excited to see one of these historic vehicles given a new lease of life through electric power, combining the best of the City’s past with its future.
“The City of London Corporation had been exploring options to modernise and improve its Mayoral Ceremonial Fleet for approximately five years. This included considering a range of options, from selling the existing vehicles and purchasing replacements, to undertaking extensive repairs and refurbishment of the three Rolls-Royces.
“Following detailed consideration, it was concluded that the most sustainable and cost-effective solution in the long term was to retain these historic vehicles while bringing them into the modern era”.
Electrogenic is a global leader in EV powertrain technology, with a comprehensive range of proprietary hardware and software solutions, all developed in the UK. It is headquartered in Oxford, UK, with a further facility in Huntington Beach, California.
In addition to its bespoke conversions, Electrogenic uses its sector-leading hardware and software expertise to develop and manufacture EV powertrain technology and systems for automotive manufacturers and Defence applications. It is also known for its comprehensive range of easy-to-install ‘plug-and-play’ conversion kits to electrify iconic models, offered around the world via an approved partner network.
Swift and stately: a rare state car, sympathetically electrified
One of just 374 examples ever built, the Rolls-Royce Phantom VI was conceived as the ultimate expression of coach-built luxury, making it ideal as a ceremonial limousine. The stately machine, dating from 1973, has been sympathetically re-engineered by Electrogenic to combine its dignified, imposing looks with clean, silent and effortless electric power.
Electrogenic has installed a 120kW electric motor producing 310Nm of torque in place of the original powertrain. This is fed by a 62kWh battery pack located under the sweeping bonnet and driving through a single-speed direct-drive transmission. The 62kWh battery pack gives a real-world range of 100–120 miles – plenty for trips around the Square Mile, Greater London and beyond. There is plenty of room within the Phantom’s generous proportions – it is just under 20 feet long – so it would be possible to double the battery capacity in future, should greater range be needed.
As with all conversions carried out by Electrogenic, nothing has been cut, drilled or welded on the original car, and the conversion is entirely reversible.
Discreetly engineered for ceremonial duty
The conversion has been carefully tailored to the Phantom VI’s ceremonial role, with every update discreetly integrated to preserve the car’s character. The original ‘automatic’ column shift has been adapted to provide a simple forward-neutral-reverse input, while a discreet screen – communicating all the key EV information – is hidden within the vehicle’s glove box.
Electrogenic has also added efficient modern heating for the rear cabin – ensuring passengers will be comfortable when performing ceremonial duties even on the most icy winter days.
100kW CCS rapid charging capability allows for swift top-ups between engagements.
Two driving modes; swift and stately
The electrified Phantom VI’s state of the art electric powertrain has been set up to offer two distinct driving modes, made possible thanks to Electrogenic’s proprietary vehicle control software.
The engineers have equipped the car with a ‘normal’ setting for general driving which controls motor regeneration to enable relaxed, one-pedal driving and enough performance for making effortless progress around town.
The Phantom is also equipped with a ‘ceremonial’ driving mode. This reduces power and torque, while also relaxing the mapping of the throttle pedal, so it is easier to make the slow-and-stately progress demanded by civic processions and state occasions.
Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan Langley, concluded: “We were delighted to welcome the vehicle back following its transformation, marking an important step in modernising the Mayoral Ceremonial Fleet while preserving the heritage and character of these iconic vehicles. The project demonstrated how historic assets can be responsibly adapted for the future, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern electric technology.”
Background: cutting-edge EV technology, developed in Britain
Electrogenic is an EV powertrain design and integration specialist. At the core of all its technology is EG-OS, Electrogenic’s proprietary EV management and control system. Electrogenic designs and manufactures EV powertrains for car manufacturers, provides specialist technology into the UK’s Defence industry and creates an award-winning range of ‘drop-in’ kits to electrify classic cars. Electrogenic also carries out a small number of bespoke vehicle conversions in Oxford, UK and Huntington Beach, California.
All Electrogenic powertrains are defined by their quality and depth of engineering, developed in-house by Electrogenic’s research and development team, comprising automotive engineers, programmers and high-voltage electrical experts. EG-OS reflects Electrogenic’s commitment to developing and manufacturing its own technology – giving it a unique level of control and flexibility. EG-OS elements include Electrogenic’s proprietary in-house vehicle control software, microprocessor design for driver interface and vehicle body control, as well as digital dashboards.
Electrogenic’s conversions also use highly innovative mechanical componentry, including a unique system for creating high-density battery packs, as well as exceptionally compact in-line and transverse reduction gearboxes, which are manufactured by Electrogenic in the UK. The neat packaging solutions ensure that the existing vehicle’s structure and architecture are preserved, with no cutting or drilling required. All Electrogenic conversions are entirely reversible.
Electrogenic’s world-leading bespoke conversions are completed at its Oxford HQ and in Huntington Beach, CA. Electrogenic’s ‘drop-in’ kit range is offered internationally through a network of partner installers.
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