The DeLorean DMC-12 is an iconic vehicle – not only because of its gullwing doors, but also as the main car in the movie “Back to the Future.” Even after 40 years, the DMC-12 looks futuristic with its stainless steel body.
No wonder the energy company E.ON used it as an attraction at the IAA Mobility 2025. A red DeLorean, wrapped in the company's colors, caught our attention in the lobby of the west entrance of the Messe München. Upon closer inspection, we saw its drivetrain: no flux compensator, no Mr. Fu, no original six-cylinder engine, but electric.
Technically, the standard DMC-12 with a 2,8-liter V6 engine from Peugeot-Renault-Volvo (PRV) was not very spectacular. 132 hp was at odds with the futuristic design and 1.268 kilograms of curb weight, and the driving performance did not meet expectations. Eleven seconds to 100 km/h for almost 75.000 marks. This is precisely why the DMC-12 is interesting for conversions today, especially with an electric drive.
As early as the 1990s, inventors began experimenting with DC motors and lead-acid batteries. The idea really took off in 2011, when the DeLorean Motor Company of Texas unveiled its electric prototype. At the time, they announced about 260 horsepower and a range of between 100 and 200 miles, but series production never materialized.
Since then, the DMC-12 has been electrified mainly by specialist workshops and private projects. The basis is almost always modern lithium-ion technology, often in combination with drive components from Tesla. The conversion involves removing the V6 engine, installing an electric motor and placing the battery packs in the front or in the engine compartment. To implement the concept, the electronics, cooling and chassis have to be adapted.
The results are impressive: Several projects have been developed in the UK and the US with outputs between 150 and 400 kW, bringing the once rather slow sports car into line with modern electric cars. Individual examples have already appeared at auctions, often with a range of around 150 kilometres – not much, but sufficient for a show car with iconic status.
The serial production of the electric DMC-12 remains a dream for now. No manufacturer has yet officially announced a suitable model. Therefore, for enthusiasts, the only option is an expensive adaptation. Those who decide to take this step must expect costs in excess of 50.000 euros in addition to the price of the vehicle. Thus, the electric DeLorean remains what it has always been in the film: a symbol of visions of the future. Only this time it is not about time travel, but about a leap into electromobility.
