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Classic car becomes E-Mini: Dreiborn engineer inspires with conversion!
Kurt Heinen from Dreiborn converts a 1981 Mini Cooper to electric drive to combine sustainability with nostalgic charm.
Classic car becomes E-Mini: Dreiborn engineer inspires with conversion!
The automotive world is currently experiencing exciting change, and a very special initiative is coming from Dreiborn near Euskirchen. Kurt Heinen, an electrical engineer with a passion for vintage cars, successfully converted a classic 1981 Mini Cooper to electric power. As the Review reported, the converted Mini now has an E license plate and a sticker with the inscription “Zero CO₂”. With this project, Heinen, managing director of Heinen Automation, aims to combine the charm of bygone days with the latest technology.
The conversion takes place in the “Recharged Automotives” workshop in Weismes, East Belgium. Heinen is planning to put an entire fleet of electric-powered Minis on the wheels here. The idea of sustainably modernizing older vehicles instead of simply scrapping them goes back to a research project that Heinen recently completed with the Aachen University of Applied Sciences, in which sustainable products were developed from bamboo.
The E-Mini in detail
The converted Mini Cooper is equipped with an electric motor that delivers eight kilowatts of power and ensures powerful acceleration. With a range of around 100 kilometers, it is not intended for long distances, but Heinen transports the E-Mini to events on a trailer to conserve the range. As special features, the vehicle offers a high-quality interior, LED headlights and smartphone connectivity.
The conversion plan began in 2022 and Helena is determined to continue the project. While the price for the E-Mini is expected to be in the high five-figure range, the sustainable initiative is generating great interest among classic car lovers and environmentally conscious people.
A look outside the box
Similar projects are also gaining momentum internationally. BMW itself presented a concept for the electrification of old Minis at the New York Auto Show in 2018, which motivated the brand to launch the “Mini Recharged” project. At the Oxford factory, old Minis can be converted to electric power, with the original petrol engine stored to allow for possible later dismantling. Car Motor and Sport emphasizes that the vehicles do not undergo any irreversible changes to their substance and that owners of an old Mini must bring their vehicles to the factory for conversion. Feedback from the public was consistently positive and gives hope for increasing demand.
Nevertheless, BMW has now adjusted its plans to fully switch to electric power by the end of the decade. Loud Engine1 The company will continue to invest in gasoline-powered models and has shelved the introduction of several planned electric vehicles, including the Aceman and Countryman models.
However, Heinen's commitment to making old Minis fit for the future shows that the passion for classic vehicles will never go out of style. Interest in sustainable alternatives could shape the automotive industry in the coming years, and Dreiborn has established itself as a hotspot for such innovations.