Convert Your Truck
Our EV conversion kit is engineered as a true drop-in solution that fully utilizes the original 1949–1953 Chevy 3100 frame. It consists of custom motor mounts, battery box, and suspension adapters that bolt or weld directly to existing factory frame for a clean, reliable install. The entire powertrain and battery system can be installed from underneath the truck, meaning the cab stays bolted in place, dramatically reducing labor time.
Motor
Rovium installs a Tesla Model S Small Drive Unit OR Large Drive Unit (LDU with inverter coolant delete) For your conversion. The specifications are as follows: [SDU 286 Hp 350 Ft-Lb], [LDU 636 Hp 479 Ft-Lb]. Every motor we use has less than 30K miles and is inspected and certified by a third party for mechanical and electrical performance with a one year warranty. Electric motors have minimal moving parts making them far more reliable with longer life than gas motors. Rovium encourages independent research as numerous independent sources report 300,000 or more miles on Tesla motors without issue..
Battery
Rovium takes a 82kWh Tesla Model 3 battery and reconfigures it into a custom fabricated 0.1875 wall aluminum battery box. Each module is a compact, 5.3 kWh (24 kWh total pack, 4 modules) 2170-cell brick rated at approximately 350–360V. Each module contains cylindrical cells arranged in a 46P × 96S configuration, delivering around 300–400 amps continuously and weighing roughly 100 kg (220 lbs each, 880 lbs total), making it ideal for repurposed EV conversions. Its high energy density allows 200+ miles of real-world range in a Chevy 3100 while maintaining excellent safety and charge/discharge performance.
Charging
Your vehicle will be capable of charging with a standard NACS Level 2 Tesla Port at a rate of 11.5 KwH. This charge setup is capable of completing a full charge in 6 hours. While all Rovium vehicles are capable of charging on public chargers, we highly recommend the convenience of charging at home. To charge at home, all that is required is to have a 220V NEMA 14-50 outlet (washer dryer outlet) installed. While local electrician rates vary, typical rates are $300-500 to install the outlet and charge at home. Some estimates of cost/ charge are on the home page.
Drivetrain
Your Tesla motor mates with a custom engineered and fabricated De-Dion axle. This axle is made of a 3 inch x 0.25 wall A400 tube and has been extensively tested for safety and durability. The axle utilizes Tesla CV joints and wheel bearings for reliable transfer of power from the motor to the wheels. The De-Dion axle comes equipped with Wilwood GM Metric calipers and rotors as well as Tesla Model 3 Electric parking brakes for reliable stopping power. The axle is sprung by inboard QA1 adjustable coilovers for a smooth and modern ride. Our number one priority is safety. The frame of your vehicle is not a concern as the reaction forces of the Tesla motor act about the short axis of your vehicle as opposed to a gas engine that wants to twist the frame (refer to home page for more information). As a result, the stock frame can safely handle the torque and power of an 636 Hp LDU.