Farnham, 19 June 2025 – A new chapter in classic automotive restoration has begun as BEDEO, a pioneer in electric vehicle retrofit technology, joins forces with Monarch Defender, the world-renowned Land Rover Defender specialist, to launch the Reborn Electric: Icons Defender. The strategic partnership places a sharp focus on the United States market, marrying British engineering innovation with American demand for sustainable luxury.
The Reborn Electric: Icons Defender is more than a retrofit; it’s a reimagining of one of the most iconic 4x4s ever built. Equipped with BEDEO’s proprietary in-wheel motor (IWM) system and a 75-kWh battery, the vehicle offers an electric-only range of up to 247 kilometres (153 miles), ensuring whisper-quiet, zero-emissions performance in any environment. It’s an electric Defender – reborn for the future, without losing touch with its past.
Electrification Without Compromise
BEDEO’s revolutionary IWM technology, developed by group company Protean Electric, eliminates the need for conventional drivetrains. The result? A conversion that retains the Defender’s original kerb weight and character, while enhancing drivability, efficiency, and off-road capability. This is the only system of its kind currently available for classic vehicle conversions – and it’s already backed by more than 60 million kilometres of real-world electric drivetrain testing since 2009.
“We’ve always believed that great design should last – and with the right technology, it can have a second life that’s even more meaningful,” said Osman Boyner, Founder and CEO of BEDEO. “Monarch Defender understands what makes the Defender so special to people – and they know how to elevate that experience without losing its soul.”
Indeed, Monarch becomes the first classic Defender restoration company in the world to incorporate in-wheel motor technology – a game-changing move that offers substantial gains in space efficiency, weight distribution, and terrain versatility.
A Shared Vision for Sustainable Heritage
This partnership is as much about philosophy as it is about technology. Monarch Defender, known for crafting exquisite, bespoke Defenders that blend heritage with contemporary design, sees electrification not as a detour, but a natural evolution.
“As a brand rooted in heritage, design, and experience, we’ve always believed the Defender deserves to evolve with purpose,” said Akif Keskin of Monarch Defender. “Partnering with BEDEO allows us to take the first step toward electrification in a way that aligns with our values – and our customers’ growing appetite for sustainability – without sacrificing what makes these vehicles so iconic.”
The Reborn Electric: Icons Defender is set to enter the North American market from July 2025, with Monarch providing full delivery, installation, and premium aftersales support across the region. Each vehicle will be fully customisable, maintaining the artisanal craftsmanship Monarch Defender is known for, while introducing BEDEO’s trailblazing zero-emissions drivetrain to a broader clientele.
The Future of Classic Motoring
Together, BEDEO and Monarch Defender are not only preserving automotive heritage – they’re rewriting it. The Reborn Electric: Icons Defender is the embodiment of two brands’ shared commitment to building a cleaner, more conscious future without compromising the integrity of a timeless classic.
For BEDEO, it’s another bold step in scaling its retrofit technologies for wider global adoption. For Monarch Defender, it’s a leap into the electrified era with both confidence and class.
More than just a partnership, this is a statement: the classics can – and should – have a future. And that future is electric.
