Electrogenic has converted the City of London Corporation’s 1973 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI official limousine to electric power, retaining the historic vehicle for future ceremonial service. Commissioned during the mayoralty of Alderwoman Dame Susan Langley DBE, the project supports the Corporation’s aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions from its own operations by 2027. The bespoke conversion pairs a 120kW motor and 62kWh battery pack with 310Nm of torque, a 100 to 120-mile real-world range and 100kW CCS rapid charging. It also demonstrates how a prominent heritage asset can remain in active use while eliminating tailpipe emissions.

A Ceremonial Fleet Upgrade

One of 374 Phantom VIs built, the 1973 Rolls-Royce was originally conceived as a coach-built luxury limousine and has served as part of the City of London’s Mayoral Ceremonial Fleet. The conversion allows the nearly 20-foot vehicle to continue carrying out official engagements across the Square Mile, Greater London and further afield on electric power.

The City of London Corporation explored options for its three Rolls-Royces over approximately five years, including replacement, sale, repairs and refurbishment. It concluded that retaining the historic vehicles while updating them was the most sustainable and cost-effective long-term route.

Dame Susan Langley, Lady Mayor of the City of London, said:

“I’m delighted to see this iconic part of the City’s heritage being brought into the modern era. The Mayoral Ceremonial Fleet is a distinctive symbol of the City of London, and this project shows that preserving our traditions does not mean standing still.

“This is exactly the kind of innovation we should embrace: respecting our heritage while finding new ways to make the mayoralty more sustainable, relevant and fit for the future. I’m particularly excited to see one of these historic vehicles given a new lease of life through electric power, combining the best of the City’s past with its future.

“The City of London Corporation had been exploring options to modernise and improve its Mayoral Ceremonial Fleet for approximately five years. This included considering a range of options, from selling the existing vehicles and purchasing replacements, to undertaking extensive repairs and refurbishment of the three Rolls-Royces.

“Following detailed consideration, it was concluded that the most sustainable and cost-effective solution in the long term was to retain these historic vehicles while bringing them into the modern era”.

Electric Power With Original Character

Electrogenic replaced the original powertrain with a 120kW electric motor producing 310Nm of torque. A 62kWh battery pack sits beneath the Phantom VI’s sweeping bonnet and supplies a single-speed direct-drive transmission. The company puts real-world range at 100 to 120 miles, while the car’s proportions could accommodate a future doubling of battery capacity should greater range be required.

Preserving the vehicle’s architecture was central to the installation. No elements of the original car were cut, drilled or welded, meaning the work is entirely reversible. This careful approach is particularly relevant for classic vehicles with civic and cultural significance, where retaining original material and character remains a priority alongside operational decarbonisation.

Steve Drummond, CEO at Electrogenic, said:

“We were honoured to be asked to electrify this significant motor car, and to play a part in the City of London Corporation’s journey to net zero. When it was launched in the late 1960s, the Rolls-Royce VI was the most refined and dignified limousine on the road. Now, thanks to electrification, its core character has been enhanced further: it is whisper quiet, effortless to drive with swift performance, and emits zero tailpipe emissions.

“Our team has sympathetically preserved everything that made the original car so special, while giving it a clean, modern powertrain perfectly suited to carrying out ceremonial duties in a modern city. The result is the ideal ceremonial limousine, full of character and now future-proofed and preserved so Londoners can continue to enjoy it for decades to come.”

Designed For Official Duties

The engineering package has been tailored to a vehicle whose duties range from urban travel to civic processions. Electrogenic adapted the original automatic column shift to provide forward, neutral and reverse selection, while a discreet information display has been housed in the glove box. Modern rear-cabin heating has also been incorporated for passenger comfort during winter engagements.

Rapid 100kW CCS charging enables charging between official appointments. The system offers a normal driving setting with motor regeneration for relaxed one-pedal operation, alongside a separate ceremonial mode. In ceremonial mode, the powertrain reduces power and torque and softens throttle-pedal mapping to support controlled, slow progress during processions and state occasions.

This attention to the car’s specific purpose is a notable feature of the project. Rather than treating electrification as a simple powertrain substitution, the conversion integrates operational requirements into the vehicle controls while keeping the visible character of the Phantom VI intact.

Technology Developed In Britain

The conversion draws on Electrogenic’s proprietary EV technology, including its EG-OS management and control system. The Oxford-based specialist develops and manufactures powertrain systems for automotive manufacturers, creates conversion kits for classic models and supplies technology for Defence applications. Its operations also include a facility in Huntington Beach, California.

Electrogenic’s plug-and-play conversion kits are offered through an approved partner network for vehicles including Land Rover Defenders, Series Land Rovers, classic Porsche 911s, Jaguar E-Types and DeLorean DMC-12s. Alongside those products, the company continues to undertake a limited number of bespoke projects such as the City of London limousine.

For the Corporation, the Phantom VI provides a practical example of asset retention alongside emissions reduction. Extending the useful life of an existing vehicle, rather than replacing it outright, preserves a distinctive piece of civic heritage while placing it within a lower-emission operating model.

Heritage Prepared For Continued Use

The electric Phantom VI was due to be displayed at Salon Privé at Blenheim Palace from 2 to 6 September. Its return to the Mayoral Ceremonial Fleet brings modern electric propulsion to a vehicle that remains closely associated with the City of London’s public occasions.

Dame Susan Langley, Lady Mayor of the City of London, reflected:

“We were delighted to welcome the vehicle back following its transformation, marking an important step in modernising the Mayoral Ceremonial Fleet while preserving the heritage and character of these iconic vehicles. The project demonstrated how historic assets can be responsibly adapted for the future, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern electric technology.”

By retaining the Phantom VI’s original structure, adapting its controls for formal engagements and fitting a reversible electric system, the project offers a thoughtful model for organisations seeking to modernise treasured vehicles without compromising their identity.