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Movie star Ben Affleck was recently seen driving his son around in L.A. traffic in a “new” all-electric Ford Bronco. His vintage Bronco, though, had an interesting conversion from gas to all-electric drive. While most of us love the old-style Bronco, with their square bodies and round headlights, we know they’re far from efficient. Most of these old Broncos were built before emissions laws came into play so they have thirsty engines.

Vintage Broncos like Affleck’s are prime targets for converting to all-electric power by specialty converter Gateway Bronco.

Gateway Bronco made Ben Affleck’s electric Ford Bronco conversion

Gateway Bronco owner Seth Burgett told MotorBiscuit that the Bronco that Affleck was spotted driving in Los Angeles is, indeed, from his shop. It was recently delivered to Savannah Georgia by Gateway. A Bronco is a great classic SUV to convert to EV because it’s tough, so you can add several heavy batteries to it without ruining its handling, and it’s light, so it will be efficient. Affleck’s truck, he said, uses a single Danfoss motor.

“Jennifer Lopez bought the Bronco for Ben for his 50th birthday,” Burgett said. “(It) arrived the day before Ben’s birthday.”

Gateway Bronco does sell a $265,000 electric bronco like Ben Affleck’s that you can buy. Gateway calls its conversion the LUXE-GT, and it says the truck has a 300-mile range, a 4.0-second 0-60 mph time, and modern features like Apple CarPlay and heated seats. Interestingly, Gateway lets you still experience vintage driving by pairing its motor with a five-speed manual transmission. It even has four-wheel drive.

Gateway keeps the vintage aspect of the old Bronco

A custom EV Ford Bronco built by Gateway Bronco for Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck’s Bronco at Gateway Bronco | Gateway Bronco

Gateway Bronco owner Seth Burgett told MotorBiscuit, “We focus solely on the first-generation Broncos. We build 50 to 75 units a year.”

Most EVs have a one-speed transmission. However, Burgett said that the manual transmission in his electric conversion Broncos takes the place of the torque reduction device that’s common in most EVs. Electric motors make 100% of their torque at 0 RPM, so you need a buffer like a reduction device, to prevent you from tearing all of the rubber off the tires at every stoplight.  Gateway also keeps the traditional four-wheel drive system, but pairs it with a special Atlas transfer case.

For Affleck’s Bronco, the company also added a custom all-electric power folding convertible roof.

How much does a restored Bronco cost?

Gateway will also sell you a gas-powered Bronco with all of the bells and whistles. The company has three models of resto-mod Broncos, and each has a 5.0-liter Ford motor in it. The $150,000 Fuelie edition has Bilstein shocks and a special exhaust. The Coyote offers the 5.0-liter Ford Coyote engine with a tuned active exhaust and 3.5-inch Bilstein shocks. The gas-powered LUXE-GT is $300,000, however, it has a Roush supercharger mounted to a 5.0-liter Coyote engine. Each has custom paint, custom leather, and the technology you need. Though they’re expensive, each is built to order in the Gateway shop.

You can order the same Bronco that Affleck has by using the configurator at the Gateway Bronco’s website.

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.