Inspiring Story: In Richmond, Vancouver, a persistent entrepreneur spent four years completing what seemed impossible: converting a classic Rolls-Royce into a pure electric vehicle with a 500km range, and in the process founded his own electric vehicle conversion company Mars Power.
While most people complete degrees or master new skills within four years, Vincent Yu chose a different path. This Richmond entrepreneur spent four full years successfully converting his Rolls-Royce into a pure electric vehicle. This required countless days and nights of hard work in the garage, plus frequent flights to the United States, Japan, and Germany to source specialized automotive components.
"Many people thought I was crazy when they heard my idea of converting a fuel vehicle into an electric one. But I've grown accustomed to being laughed at. My head is always in the clouds," Yu said with a smile.
Now, no one is laughing at him anymore. Yu not only owns an electric Rolls-Royce but has also launched his own new business.
Yu stated that he decided to use the knowledge gained over the past four years to open a Mars Power shop in North Richmond, specializing in providing fuel-to-electric conversion services for other vehicle owners.
The Personal Cost of Innovation
However, Yu's achievement didn't come easily. To raise the funds needed for the Rolls-Royce conversion, he had to sell his house. This decision led to his wife being unable to understand and ultimately leaving him. "Only my neighbors understood what I've been through over the past four years because I forced them to watch my progress every day," he added.
Remarkable Results
Yu's electric Rolls-Royce can travel 500 kilometers on a single charge, with charging costs of just $8, compared to the $120 it previously cost to fill the tank with gasoline.
Yu got the idea for the electric conversion after his eldest daughter came home from school one day and criticized his driving habits. "You shouldn't drive around town in a smelly car polluting the air like a rich jerk," she told him.
"So I started thinking, why not convert this car myself?" Yu said. "Since childhood, I've always been that crazy kid with dreams of changing the world—even when it seemed impossible."
To make his daughter proud, this fifty-year-old engineer embarked on a long and arduous conversion journey. He found a small team of mechanics and technicians to assist him, working together on the project almost every day. Today, this entire team is employed at his new shop.
Technical Transformation
"We removed all the vehicle's components, from the fuel tank to the engine to the exhaust system. Our goal was to build an electric motor, charger, and battery pack for the vehicle," Yu explained. "Now, I might be the first person in Richmond to convert a luxury car into an electric vehicle."
When asked if the four years of effort were worth it, Yu replied: "If my story can make at least one person in the world smile while starting to think about climate change, I feel incredibly happy."
From Personal Obsession to Professional Venture: The Mars Power Business Model
Technical Breakthrough
Luxury car electric conversion achieving 500km range
Cost Efficiency
Per-kilometer driving costs reduced to 1/15th of traditional fuel vehicles
Expert Team
Dedicated technical team with four years of practical experience
Quality Assurance
Using international quality components to ensure conversion quality
Why Choose Electric Vehicle Conversion?
- Environmental Responsibility: Reduce carbon emissions, respond to climate action
- Economic Benefits: Significantly lower fuel and maintenance costs
- Performance Enhancement: Enjoy the quiet operation and strong torque of electric drive
- Value Preservation Innovation: Inject new life into classic models
Frequently Asked Questions
Luxury car conversions typically range from $50,000 to $100,000+ depending on the vehicle, desired range, and performance specifications. Vincent Yu's Rolls-Royce conversion required selling his house to fund the project.
While Vincent Yu's project took four years, professional conversion shops typically complete similar projects in 3-6 months. The timeline depends on vehicle complexity, parts availability, and customization requirements.
Yes, electric vehicle conversions are legal in Canada when performed by certified technicians and meeting all safety standards. Converted vehicles must pass specific inspections to be road-legal.
Range varies based on battery capacity and vehicle efficiency. While Vincent achieved 500km with his Rolls-Royce, most conversions achieve 200-400km depending on the vehicle size and battery investment.
Most vehicles can be converted, but some are better suited than others. Lighter vehicles with adequate space for batteries typically yield better results. Luxury cars like Rolls-Royce present unique challenges due to their weight and complexity.
