Tiny and relatively unheard of British sports car maker is opening a factory in Virginia, America

The small British sports car maker – RBW Electric Cars – is opening up a new factory in Danville in the US state of Virginia later this year.

RBW Electric Cars was founded by Peter Swain in 2017 and released its prototype vehicle in November 2018. 

Production of its flagship Roadster EV kicked off in February 2020, with a GT model launched in 2023.

Now, the company is set to land Stateside after revealing a fleet of left-hand-drive vehicles.

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The British carmaker unveiled left-hand drive vehicles last year

More and more motorists are making the switch to EVs from gas-powered vehicles, with many drivers delighted with the lower running costs of an all-electric. 

One recent study revealed that the Tesla Model 3 was the cheapest car to run in the US. 

Over in the UK, the family-run carmaker, RBW Electric Cars, has been producing its Roadster and GT models – which are based on iconic British sports cars from the 1960s and 1970s – for a few years.

During last year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, RBW Electric unveiled left-hand-drive versions of its cars for the first time.

Less than a year on, Swain has announced plans to build a factory in Virginia where his stunning hand-crafted vehicles will be produced. 

RBW is able to effortlessly blend classic British race car styling with modern technology and all-electric powertrains.

RBW Electric Cars is set to open its US facility this year

The new $8 million facility will be based in Danville, Virginia, and is set to open its doors in September this year. 

The new factory will create up to 200 jobs with roles in engineering, assembly, quality control, and support functions. 

Swain told Industrial Equipment News that he is currently training US staff at his facility in Lichfield, England.

“This facility will enable RBW to scale production while preserving the craftsmanship and quality that define the brand,” Swain told the publication.

“To support this transition, RBW has already been training US operatives at its UK facility.” 

Each car is handcrafted and takes around 500 hours to build.

The EVs have a starting price of $139,000, but this can vary depending on the model and any customization options. 

Both the Roadster and GT have a range of 150 miles and can do 0-60mph in around eight seconds. 

The cars have an electronically limited speed of 90mph.