David Beckham-backed EV firm restarts operations

A firm backed by David Beckham that converts classic cars to run on electricity has started operating again. Lunaz, based at Silverstone Park in Northamptonshire, stopped production in March.

It blamed the stoppage on delays in banning the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles. The firm said it had a “new structure that lays the foundations for the long-term sustainable growth of the business”.

Lunaz was founded in 2019 by David Lorenz, with the original aim of converting classic cars to run on electricity, but expanded to include industrial vehicles and trucks in its programme.

Beckham invested in the firm and commissioned it to convert one of his cars.

In March, the firm announced it was stopping production because the government had put back the banning of petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 to 2035.

The division of the company that converted bin lorries to electricity went into administration.

At the time, Lunaz said it was “currently restructuring to adjust its business and operations in response to shifting market dynamics”.

Now the firm has announced the conversion of passenger vehicles will restart at Silverstone Park under the Lunaz Design brand.

The conversion of commercial vehicles will continue under the Up-cycled Electric Vehicles brand, with trials of the first products taking place this summer.

Lunaz added that the first trials would include the world’s first fully up-cycled and electrified 26-tonne commercial trucks operating as refuse collection vehicles.

Mr Lorenz said: “We are delighted to have worked with our clients and stakeholders to create a new structure that lays the foundations for the long-term sustainable growth of the business.

“This ensures we are ready to meet immediate demand for vehicle electrification services and are fit to scale in direct response to volume requirements as major markets build towards legislative bans on internal combustion engine commercial vehicles.”