Click to enlarge.
BEDEO, a UK based electric vehicle technology and retrofit company, today announced a partnership with Monarch Defender – known for customizing the Land Rover Defender – to sell the so-called Icons Defender to US-based clients later in 2025.*
“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. “Partnering with Monarch Defender feels natural; we both share a deep respect for the Defender’s legacy, and a passion for pushing things forward. This partnership is about bringing our technology to the right hands. Monarch Defender understands what makes the Defender so special to people – and they know how to elevate that experience without losing its soul.”
“This collaboration brings together two forward-thinking brands with a shared vision: to preserve the Land Rover Defender’s legacy while preparing it for a cleaner, more conscious future. With BEDEO’s revolutionary in-wheel motor (IWM) technology and Monarch Defender’s deep expertise in luxury restoration and customer experience, the Reborn Electric: Icons Defender is now positioned to reach a new generation of drivers seeking sustainability without compromise,” the companies said in the joint release.
Aspects of the Partnership
- Powered by a 75-kWh battery and BEDEO’s in-wheel motor (IWM) technology, the Land Rover Defender conversion delivers up to 247 km (153 miles) of electric-only range and zero-emissions performance in any environment.
- Monarch Defender will support delivery, installation, and customer experience across North America and beyond, as part of a joint commitment to preserving automotive heritage through sustainable innovation.
- BEDEO’s proprietary IWM retrofit system remains the only one of its kind available for classic EV conversions, backed by more than 60 million kilometers of proven electric drivetrain performance since 2009.
For Monarch Defender, this is a “strategic step into electrification. Known for creating Land Rover Defenders that blend raw power, modern drivetrains, and elegant interiors, Monarch Defender has long catered to a global audience of automotive connoisseurs. The collaboration with BEDEO allows the brand to future-proof its vision, giving clients the opportunity to own Land Rover Defenders that are not only beautiful and bold – but built for the world ahead.”
“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. “We’ve also always aimed to elevate the Defender, not just restore it, and so 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. Their [BEDEO’s] in-wheel technology is truly visionary – it respects the Defender’s original character while opening the door to a cleaner, more future-ready experience. For our customers, it’s the best of both worlds – and for us, it’s a natural evolution of what we stand for.”
The first Reborn Electric Icons Defenders available through Monarch Defender are expected to be available from next month, July 2025, with global support, full customization, and premium customer service built into every stage of the process. To explore Monarch Defender’s bespoke restorations and global services, visit monarchdefender.com or contact info@monarchdefender.com.
For more information about BEDEO and its electric retrofit technology, visit bedeo.tech. To enquire about sales, collaborations, or becoming an approved partner installer, contact info@bedeo.tech.
* All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Classic Land Rover Defender Coming to U.S. as an EV
Click to enlarge.
BEDEO, a UK based electric vehicle technology and retrofit company, today announced a partnership with Monarch Defender – known for customizing the Land Rover Defender – to sell the so-called Icons Defender to US-based clients later in 2025.*
“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. “Partnering with Monarch Defender feels natural; we both share a deep respect for the Defender’s legacy, and a passion for pushing things forward. This partnership is about bringing our technology to the right hands. Monarch Defender understands what makes the Defender so special to people – and they know how to elevate that experience without losing its soul.”
“This collaboration brings together two forward-thinking brands with a shared vision: to preserve the Land Rover Defender’s legacy while preparing it for a cleaner, more conscious future. With BEDEO’s revolutionary in-wheel motor (IWM) technology and Monarch Defender’s deep expertise in luxury restoration and customer experience, the Reborn Electric: Icons Defender is now positioned to reach a new generation of drivers seeking sustainability without compromise,” the companies said in the joint release.
Aspects of the Partnership
For Monarch Defender, this is a “strategic step into electrification. Known for creating Land Rover Defenders that blend raw power, modern drivetrains, and elegant interiors, Monarch Defender has long catered to a global audience of automotive connoisseurs. The collaboration with BEDEO allows the brand to future-proof its vision, giving clients the opportunity to own Land Rover Defenders that are not only beautiful and bold – but built for the world ahead.”
“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. “We’ve also always aimed to elevate the Defender, not just restore it, and so 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. Their [BEDEO’s] in-wheel technology is truly visionary – it respects the Defender’s original character while opening the door to a cleaner, more future-ready experience. For our customers, it’s the best of both worlds – and for us, it’s a natural evolution of what we stand for.”
The first Reborn Electric Icons Defenders available through Monarch Defender are expected to be available from next month, July 2025, with global support, full customization, and premium customer service built into every stage of the process. To explore Monarch Defender’s bespoke restorations and global services, visit monarchdefender.com or contact info@monarchdefender.com.
For more information about BEDEO and its electric retrofit technology, visit bedeo.tech. To enquire about sales, collaborations, or becoming an approved partner installer, contact info@bedeo.tech.
* All trademarks, logos and brand names are the property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks and brands does not imply endorsement.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.