UK startup RBW EV Cars has announced the launch of a supplier division aimed at providing electric systems and components to other automakers producing high-end, limited-edition models. The company, which specializes in electric versions of classic sports cars, revealed this development on Friday.
CEO Peter Swain disclosed to Reuters that RBW is collaborating with three major automakers on limited-edition models, although he refrained from naming them. Founded in 2017, RBW transforms newly manufactured bodies of two classic MG car models—the MGB and MGB GT—into electric vehicles (EVs). These vehicles feature a range of 155 miles (250 km) and are priced starting at around £100,000 ($130,000), utilizing an EV battery and powertrain developed by Continental Engineering Services.
To date, RBW has secured $18 million in funding from investors. The company has commenced production at its facility in Lichfield, England, with plans to begin operations at a second factory in Danville, Virginia, in early 2025.
Swain stated that RBW aims to produce 300 of its own-brand EVs annually, along with the capability to manufacture up to 3,000 EV systems for other automakers through its Spirit EV unit. He noted that rather than investing millions in developing their own systems, automakers can purchase RBW’s approved and production-ready systems for between $40,000 and $50,000.
The rear-wheel-drive systems developed by RBW can be adapted for various classic car bodies, ranging from Mustangs to Aston Martins and Corvettes. Swain emphasized that the luxury automakers collaborating with RBW intend to offer model runs of a few hundred classic EVs to rekindle customer interest in their brands. “Major automakers can place those classic EVs in their top showrooms to remind customers why they love that brand,” Swain remarked.
