First Electric Ford Bronco Combines an Electric Motor with a Manual Gearbox

Nowadays, it comes as no surprise that many auto engineering companies try to create their own versions of classic cars, but Zero Labs Automotive managed to draw attention of the auto world by developing the 1-st electric version of the legendary Ford Bronco and equipping it with a manual gearbox.

Learn more about the 1-st electric Ford Bronco

Ford Bronco is considered to be one of the most renowned SUVs along with Jeep Wrangler and Land Rover Defender. While Ford engineers work on development of a new generation Bronco, the engineering company Zero Labs came up with the idea to upgrade the 1-st Bronco version, which was produced in the 60s-70s of the last century. However, in fact, here we are talking about the development of a completely new car, though it is based on a classic design.

Zero Labs equipped their Bronco model with an electric propulsion system, part-time 4WD, and oddly to say a 5-speed manual gearbox, which is something you hardly ever find in a modern electric car. It should be noted that the electric Bronco has only one electric motor provided by BorgWarner, having the power capacity of 374 hp and 240 Nm of torque. On the other hand, this electric motor operates not only in combination with a two-speed transfer case, but also with a 5-speed manual gearbox, while the vast majority of modern electric cars are equipped with a single-speed gearbox. It is assumed that the use of a 5-speed manual gearbox made it easier for Zero Labs engineers to implement Atlas transfer cases and Currie differentials. As for the battery unit, the 70-kilowatt set lithium-ion battery should provide the electric Bronco with the ability to cover up to 306 km on a single charge.

Ford Bronco’s interior

Despite the fact that many specialists argue that it is absolutely unreasonable to use a manual gearbox in an electric car due to the fact that it significantly complicates the design and reduces the efficiency, Zero Labs engineers have decided to take a risk and develop the electric Bronco version with the manual gearbox to support the electrification trend and pay respect to the classic design: despite the fact that the mechanisms of powering this Bronco are different, the mechanics of driving it remain classic (the Bronco was equipped with a manual gearbox from 1965 to 1972).

Great video on prospects of manual transmissions in EVs

The external design of the electric version made of carbon fiber is similar to the classic Ford Bronco. Zero Labs engineers used more than a thousand re-designed parts for this unique electric SUV. The interior design decorated with molded natural wood materials (walnut, bamboo) looks classic and has no extra sophisticated features typical for modern cars. Zero Labs plans to produce only 150 electric Ford Bronco SUVs with the price tag of about $250,000.