Electric cars are popping up everywhere these days, and for good reason: they’re kinder to the planet and lighter on the wallet when you’re draining your fuel tank. But let’s face it, even building a so-called zero-emission car isn’t exactly eco-friendly once you factor in the manufacturing process. That’s where the magic of retrofit comes into play.
Rather than churning out brand-new EVs, retrofit shops swap out a car’s gas-guzzling engine and transmission for an electric motor, pack in a fresh battery, and give those aging ride a fresh lease on life. In France, one company was leading the charge—until, sadly, it had to throw in the towel.
From Twingo to Electric: A Retrofitting Revolution
Founded in 2020, Lormauto set up shop in the heart of Normandy with a simple mission: turn first-generation Renault Twingos into sleek little city EVs. They’d yank the combustion engine, drop in a 52-horsepower electric motor, and wire up a 16 kWh LFP (lithium-ferro-phosphate) battery that offered up to 100 kilometers of range. Top speed? A respectable 130 km/h—plenty for zipping around town or hitting the highway on a weekend getaway.
The appeal was undeniable. Why build a brand-new car when you can recycle a perfectly good chassis and interior? Lormauto aimed to retrofit 3,000 Twingos per year, and after unveiling their shiny new factory at the Paris Motor Show in 2024, they were on track to employ around 120 people. It felt like a win-win: cut down on production emissions, revive classic models, and create local jobs. Unfortunately, the story didn’t end with applause and champagne.
The Harsh Realities of EV Startups
Running an EV retrofit shop is no walk in the park. From sourcing quality batteries to optimizing motor performance and securing homologation paperwork—it takes a small army of engineers, fabricators, and admin folks. Lormauto’s co-founder, Franck Lefevre, admitted they might have underestimated the uphill battle against “adverse forces,” namely the well-oiled machine of new EV sales backed by deep-pocketed OEMs.
While legacy automakers and ambitious startups poured billions into R&D, infrastructure, and flashy marketing campaigns for fresh-off-the-assembly-line models, retrofit firms found themselves in a tighter squeeze. Supply chain hiccups and steep component costs didn’t help, and margins on second-hand conversions are notoriously thin. To make matters worse, customers often saw new EV incentives as more attractive than converting an old Twingo.
Policy Pitfalls and the Funding Gap
Believe it or not, France legalized official EV retrofit in 2020, but with strict technical standards. Lormauto checked all the boxes: safety, storage, and performance. Yet, even with a state-sponsored bump of up to 5,000 euros per car (for households with low income), the economics fell short. At one point, Bpifrance and the Ministry of Industry had lined up a roughly 2 million-euro investment for Lormauto. Then, mid-game, the rules got rewritten and support evaporated.
“A political agreement was swept aside. Urgency ignored. Future jeopardized,” Lefevre vented on LinkedIn. He didn’t hold back, accusing the government of favoring sleek new models over the grassroots retrofit movement. Meanwhile, traditional EV bonuses for new cars reached as high as 6,000 euros (now capped at 4,000), plus social leasing plans to lure drivers toward fresh EVs. Retrofit players? Left in the dust.
What’s Next for the Retrofit Movement?
Despite the setback, Lefevre isn’t ready to wave the white flag just yet. “Designing and producing an accessible, repairable EV is totally doable,” he argues. He’s on the hunt for a buyer or investor who shares his vision before Lormauto shutters for good. If that doesn’t happen, an innovative approach to sustainable mobility might vanish along with France’s first Twingo retrofit line.
But know this: Lormauto’s closure isn’t just a local headline. It highlights the broader tug-of-war between big-budget OEMs and grassroots innovators who champion the circular economy. With governments worldwide racing to meet climate goals, the question remains—will policymakers champion recycling and retrofitting, or will they continue to bankroll shiny new models? The retrofit scene is still young and hungry for change. If you believe in upcycling as much as electrifying the roads, don’t count it out just yet.
