For those who thought electric cars have to be boring, there’s currently a solution, the creation from British engine tuner Dan Johnson, a Westfield Kit Car powered by nothing but electrons.

“I know it might be ironic for someone in my profession to move from gas power to straight power,” Johnson laughed.

Johnson has been working on the project for six years, only recently dumping the Westfield’s original 1100cc Honda Blackbird engine earlier this year, after figuring out the technical aspects of the swap to electric power. For those who might question Johnson’s petrolhead status, the Westfield was initially a rally car.

Despite the ability of the Westfield to accept various drivetrains from bikes and traditional cars, to install the 640-kW electronic motor required the chassis be stripped bare. At that point Johnson took the extra initiative to redo some of the components in carbonfibre to offset the extra weight that the batteries would add to the weight of the Westfield. Now clocking in at 566kg with 64 batteries, the Westfield makes the equivalent of 850hp and over 1000 lb/ft of torque all of which is sent directly to the two rear driven wheels.

“It’s instant power,” Johnson explained.

To keep some semblance of traction, Johnson has to use 12-inch-wide racing slicks normally reserved for Formula 3 race cars. In its first attempt at competition it posted a 6.62 second 1/8 mile time at the Bushy Park drag strip in Barbados.

On the economy side, the Westfield can travel 20 miles and requires 20 minutes to be fully charged. Extra power is pulled from the solar panels on the rear deck to feed the vehicle’s 12-volt system instead of the batteries.

“Right now, my only plans are to come up with a transmission, maybe a one- or two speed gearbox,” he said.

Once that is done, Johnson will put the electric drivetrain on the market for other Westfield owners to purchase.