The old German car is making a come back with a new modern twist.

Back in the middle of last century when Germany was still separated in two there was a car that ruled the Eastern Block. Small, light and for that time designed with passion Trabant was all over Poland, Czech Republic, Serbia and of course East Germany.

Now like with many other old things Trabant is also coming back. However there is one difference, the new version needs no gas to run, it is an electronic car with very few new modifications besides the engine. Every car is refurbished, repainted and the goal of its creators is to a produce a rival for BMW’s i3 electric car.

The company standing behind this exciting project, ReeVOLT wants to create a new perception in people by using old cars and rebuilding them with fuel efficient engines. This way the project affects the environment not just by cutting gas usage, but also by recycling and saving materials that are used to build a car.

Their idea is not utopian at all since Wemag AG is selling old Fiat 500 and Ford Ka models with new electronic engines.

Trabant gained its world fame after U2 used one to shoot their video “One” after recording their album “Achtung Baby” in Berlin.

The most important thing about the new, so called, e-Trabi is its price. The car itself costs around 2000 euros, the new engine and entire ReeVOLT kit is 12,000 euros and labor is 1000 euros, making total of 15,000 euros just half of BMW’s price for the i3.

Although, there is always a but in enthusiastic projects like this one. Used cars that are produced 30/40 years ago have a lot of technical defects. So if you want to drive a new e-Trabi you have to be prepared for the fact that there is no power steering, high efficient brakes and some of the cars don’t even have headrests.

Comparing it to BMW’s electronic model the e-Trabi also falls down in its charge range. After five and a half hours of charging from a household socket the Trabi can travel 130 kilometers, while the BMW can reach 160 kilometers.

Other things that may let new buyers down is the lack of electronic devices in the car, such as radio, Bluetooth connections, phone chargers or anything they have grown accustomed to in modern cars. The only electronic device inside the car is a touchscreen display showing how much electricity is in the car and for how long can it be driven.

On the other hand there are a lot of people feeling nostalgic about this car, remembering their past and how they once had to spend their annual income to get one. E-Trabis are now available for rent and for only 29 euros you can drive one for two and a half hours around Rugen Island on the Baltic sea in Germany.