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GM Connect & Cruise – get ready for a world of after-market EV conversion kits

EV crates are suddenly all the rage. These kits contain packaged electric motor components designed to let you upgrade/convert your old gas guzzler to a sleek new electric vehicle. Swindon Powertrain got a head start earlier with its PowerTrain set up, and the Revolt guys will happily drop a Tesla EV crate system into your cherished classic car – for a price! These kits come with a variety of options included, including full transmissions and stuff, and typically batteries are extra. But you really know that the sector is starting to pop when a mega player like GM gets into the game.

The new GM Connect & Cruise is an EV crate system based around Chevy Bolt components, and appears to include a battery option too. They seem to be pitching it at folks who want to convert their ancient Chevy Blazers, but it’s not hard to imagine a range of different model crates launching in the future.

The launch sends a powerful message to the rest of the automotive world that things are definitely going to change in the near future, but of course the real key will be pricing. At the moment these things are out of the question for you and me type drivers, because of the huge cost of conversion, but there are already signs that the budget DIY brigade are gearing up (sorry) for cheaper versions to hit the streets over the next few months and years.

For example Everything EV will do you a basic kit – minus battery – for around $6000, which you’ll have to insert yourself. And a quick flick through eBay will produce a range of slightly risky and super cheapo EV kits at around $4500 without a battery (and probably a bunch of other essential stuff like motor mountings). It’s definitely a brave new world out there, but caveat emptor.

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