Travel
We Take An Electric Retro Bronco On A California Road Trip
Cora takes a road trip through Sonoma in an fully restored retro bronco that has been converted to electric. The retro Bronco had been meticulously converted by Kindred Motorworks in Vallejo, California by a team of dedicated individuals who want to give a second life to old classic vehicles.
Why We Are Working With Electric Cars
At REV, we envision a future focused on improvement. We prioritize the health of both people and the planet. Transportation is a major polluter. We appreciate those working to make it more sustainable.
It is no secret, the automotive industry has a big impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Transport accounts for about 25% of GHG emissions in the European Union. In the United States, it’s 29%, with 81% coming from road vehicles. For the Asia Pacific region, transport contributes 8.1%.
Transport is the second largest source of GHG emissions worldwide. It accounts for about 23% of CO2 from energy use, which adds to global warming. So when we heard about Kindred Motorworks that was not only doing electric car conversions, but restoring vintage cars in the process, we wanted to check them out! Our co-founder Cora Hilts took one of their newly converted retro Broncos on a California road trip. And was also able to speak to the Kindred team in-depth about what they are doing at their beautiful factory in Vallejo at the same time!
“We are not only recycling the car instead of buying a brand new one, which has all brand new materials, but we’re also converting the car to electric. These old cars get very poor gas mileage and they have no environmental regulation. So for every single old car you convert to electric, it’s the equivalent of taking ten off the road.” – Kindred Motorworks founder, Rob Howard
Listen to our podcast with Rob Howard here
5 Reasons We Love This Retro EV Bronco:
Cora was able to take one of Kindred’s beautiful new EV Broncos on a weekend trip to Dawn Ranch in Sonoma, California to test is out herself. The car was great on backroads as well as the highway, easy to charge at the local charging station, and such a pleasure to drive! Here are some of the highlights for her
1. The Look
The Kindred Bronco looks like a classic car but runs smoothly. You won’t face the usual issues that come with vintage models. This retro Bronco has been carefully restored to its original state. It features hand-sewn leather details and a stunning red exterior. It’s the kind of car that made people stop and ask about it. Cora loved talking to them about the EV conversion!
2. Zero Emissions
We have long known that car emissions have been damaging to the environment and people. When we look at emissions alone, cars produce GHGs like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. These gases lead to global warming and poor air quality. As a result, we see more natural disasters, wildlife decline, acid rain, and droughts. We love that this EV converted Bronco doesn’t give off the fumes or toxins of an original, helping us move towards a cleaner world! It was also an added bonus that we were able to enjoy the beauty of Sonoma’s red wood forests without the noise you get from a gas engine….driving you are able to really capture the sounds of the trees with a quiet drive.
3. A Second Life
Car manufacturing generates a significant amount of waste. This includes industrial waste, like leftover materials from production. It also includes packaging waste. Poor waste management can lead to more pollution and harm the environment. Restoring vintage cars like this Bronco reduces this waste. Electric car conversion companies like Kindred also keep these cars relevant for years to come as technology evolves. Keeping old cars on the road by giving them a second life.
4. The Driving Experience
The handling and overall driving experience of this Bronco is a perfect blend of the old and new. You get Power Rack and Pinion Steering for an easy drive but it still feels like you are really in control of the car, which is a feeling I love on a country road trip. This retro Bronco also keeps many original features. It also has just the right amount of modern tech that we expect today. Kindred have kept the best parts of the original Bronco and added modern upgrades where required. This redefines the vintage car experience. You can use Bluetooth to connect your music, Google Maps, and more to the console. This way, you can enjoy modern conveniences. Allowing you to focus on the driving experience of this vintage classic.
5. Made In America
Kindred Motorworks trains and employs local workers, and is proudly made in America. At their design center on Mare Island in Vallejo, California, they spend many hours on each Kindred model. They test and review many design options. These choices impact performance and reliability. They seek retirees, MBAs, high school dropouts, career changers, and others. We love that this company welcomes everyone. If you take pride in your work, want to learn new methods, and are open to retraining, you’re encouraged to apply. In the factory, you can see that the workers are happy and inspired. Kindred set an example of how a car company can positively impact the world.
Learn more about Kindred Motorworks
