Model 3

Make
Tesla
Segment
Sedan

Derks Uitvaartmobiliteit, a Dutch company, specializing in custom-building hearses, is officially building funeral coaches based on the Tesla Model 3.

One doesn't usually associate the compact American EV with funeral duty, but it makes sense if you think about it. The eerily quiet electric motor setup is well-suited to the solemn mood and allows for measured and dignified acceleration thanks to all that instant torque.

Converting the sedan into a hearse isn't easy, though. As you'd expect, it's far bigger than a regular Model 3 and measures 218,8 inches from stem to stern. To put that into perspective, the electric hearse is longer than a Cadillac Escalade. You have to admit; the vehicle has been converted beautifully.

It appears that the Model 3 left the factory this way, but Derks has put plenty of work into this vehicle.

According to the company, the rear of the Model 3 has been crafted out of composite material and now features a tailgate to accommodate a casket.

Based on the Standard Range Plus model, Derks says the rear-wheel-drive Model 3 hearse (or Hearse 3, as it's known) can travel between 217 and 233 miles on a single charge. That's not as good as the sedan on which it's based, but it should be more than enough for funeral cortege duties. After all, hearses tend to be driven short distances at low speeds and often have plenty of downtime.

Inside, you'll find a well-appointed interim resting area. The standard electric curtains are a nice touch and add an element of discretion and sensitivity to the matter. The box area also contains LED lightning, but funeral homes can select from an array of options, such as a Rolls-Royce-style starry headliner and extendable flower racks.

Customers can specify the desired floor layout, which, of course, slides back and forth to easily handle the casket. There's also space for storage; subtle side doors enable funeral directors to hide small objects or accessories for later use.

We've already seen battery-powered police vehicles and ambulances, so it is no surprise that the funeral industry is also adapting to the electric future. Aside from that, however, the smooth and silent operation of an EV is well-suited to funeral duty. It's more stately than a clattering diesel engine (common in Europe) or a rumbly V8 engine.

As for pricing, Derks has not mentioned the conversion costs, but the company has several models for sale. One low-mileage example currently undergoing production is listed at €113,950 (approx. $122,000), which isn't a lot of money when considering the level of craftsmanship.

It's not the first Tesla-based hearse we've seen, though. Previously, a Model S had been converted for duty by the well-known company Coleman Milne.

Interestingly, Derks also offers a hearse based on an unlikely candidate, the Nissan Leaf. Interesting all these creations are, they're not the most interesting final rides we've seen. For sheer extravagance, you'd be hard-pressed to beat Ellena's Maserati Ghibli, a rather bulbous and tacky choice of hearse, if we're honest.

Then again, it could be worse. You could be placed in the back of this truck-based Cadillac hearse with off-roading suspension. The Tesla Hearse 3 may not be the prettiest, but at least you'll reach your final resting place with some grace and dignity.