Despite all the obvious advantages of electric cars, many of us simply cannot get past the fact that there is too little feedback: no engine noise, no gear shifts – a home appliance on wheels! That was the reasoning behind this Honda Civic EV built by the ECU Shop in Thailand with a fully functional transmission.
As you probably know, most modern EVs put their motors either directly at the wheels or at the axles, eliminating the need for transmission and its associated power losses. Furthermore, with the peak torque available from the start, you arguably don’t need gears. Still, this particular Civic does have a sequential transmission that lets the driver feel a connection with the hot hatch. The output is still solid at 250 PS (246 hp / 183 kW) and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque at the wheels.
On the outside, the one-off electromod is instantly recognizable thanks to its carbon-fiber hood cover with a see-through window providing an overview of the motor bay. Don’t bother to look for the battery: it resides at the back for improved weight distribution between the axles. Judging by the video, the handling and acceleration are superb.