Imagine spending $6,000 to upgrade your old gasoline car into a hybrid. Yes, it’s possible. As technology continues to advance, the race to cut carbon emissions from fuel-powered cars is also accelerating.
Not everyone can afford to buy a new electric vehicle. For many people, the price tag is simply out of reach. But for a fraction of the cost, mechanical engineer Tom Gurski has found a solution: a system that converts a gas-powered car into a hybrid-like vehicle that’s easier on the environment—and your wallet.
What Is This Upgrade?
The company Blue Dot Motorworks has developed a conversion kit that integrates a compact battery pack and motor drive unit into a vehicle. Installed in the trunk or truck bed, it connects to the drivetrain and powers the rear wheels with electricity. Equipped with regenerative braking and a battery-level display, the system allows drivers to switch between gas and electric power and even enables one-pedal driving.
How the Conversion Works
For pickup trucks, the retrofit kit is branded Narwhal. It uses a compact battery and electronic control box that fit inside the truck bed. A motor drive unit mounted to the driveshaft lets the vehicle run entirely on electric power until the battery runs low. Drivers can switch between gas and electric modes and track real-time battery performance through a dashboard interface.
For cars and SUVs, the Humpback version is designed with a motor drive unit mounted on the rear wheels and a battery stored in the trunk. Both versions include regenerative braking and one-pedal driving—features typically found in fully electric vehicles.
The kit can be installed by any competent mechanic in about a day. Costs are expected to run $6,000–$9,000 for the hardware, plus $500–$1,000 for labor.
Why Plug-In Hybrids Could Be the Bridge We Need
This isn’t a brand-new concept, but past attempts have fallen short. Earlier efforts to convert gas vehicles into hybrids focused mainly on improving fuel efficiency rather than enabling full electric driving. Many EV advocates argue that this missed the point: making short daily trips completely emission-free.
Jay Donnaway, past president of the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association, summed it up: “If you can’t drive to the corner store without firing up the gas engine, you’re missing the easiest savings.”
Gurski’s system is designed to fill that gap.
Overcoming the Challenges
The road to market won’t be easy. Manufacturing the hardware is costly, and small-scale production could drive prices higher. Another obstacle is public awareness: most people are unfamiliar with retrofit hybrid technology, so consumer education will be critical.
Early Results and the Road Ahead
Gurski has tested the system on his 2001 Jeep Cherokee, which runs smoothly in electric mode and produces no emissions during short trips.
Fleet trials are already underway. Royal Roads University and the Richmond School District in British Columbia will each install 10–12 prototype kits for six-month tests. If the results fall short, the systems can be returned for a refund.
Reinventing What We Already Own
Gurski’s goal is straightforward: make existing vehicles 80% electric without forcing people to buy new ones. Blue Dot Motorworks wants to offer a system that’s affordable, practical, and accessible for everyday drivers.
Keep an eye out—this retrofit technology could change how we think about the cars we already own.