Andrej Pečjak
Slovenia - Metron Institute
Andrej was born in Ljubljana in 1957 and has lived near the Slovenian Julian Alps since 1982. His
fascination with technology, particularly mechanical and electrical engineering, began in childhood.
As a teenager, he developed a passion for model rockets and earned the title of Slovenian Champion
several times. At the age of 16, he built his first motorcycle prototype powered by ethanol, sparking a
lifelong interest in vehicular propulsion.
He studied mechanical engineering with a focus on internal combustion engines at the University of
Ljubljana. At just 21, he received the prestigious Prešeren Award for designing an internal combustion
engine with isothermal compression to improve efficiency. After marrying in 1981, Andrej embarked
on his first electric vehicle project, converting a German Messerschmitt two-seater with a DC turret
motor from a US Sherman tank.
In 1984, Andrej and his wife, Jasna, founded a company focused on selling car parts and developing
software for vehicle maintenance. By 1990, they opened a retail shop powered solely by solar
electricity and storage batteries. Their second attempt at building an electric car in 1997 was
unsuccessful, but Andrej continued refining his expertise in car electronics and diagnostics, while also
developing independent off-grid solutions using solar panels, windmills, and lead-acid batteries.
In 2006, Andrej achieved a breakthrough by converting a gasoline Renault Espace into a successful
six-seat electric van with an electric range of 160 km (100 miles). Over the years, he has converted
several other vehicles, including a notable prototype of a Mazda RX-8. In 2008, Andrej and his family
appeared in the environmental documentary Future Planet.
In 2012, Andrej and Jasna took over the Metron Institute, focusing on sustainable mobility and energy
solutions. Under their leadership, Metron has converted over 80 vehicles to electric propulsion and
developed various electric vehicle (EV) prototypes for companies worldwide. Metron has also
pioneered the development of dynamically controlled charging stations and portable charging stations,
which are the smallest in the world. From 2020 to 2025, Metron evolved into Metron Group, with
subsidiaries in Germany and the UK, becoming a leader in electric vehicle charging innovations,
including cables, adapters, and wall-mounted stations.
Andrej and his team also introduced an innovative solution for utilizing storage batteries in electric
vehicles, increasing range when necessary, and enabling these batteries to be used as additional power
sources for homes or businesses. Active in the promotion of sustainable mobility, Andrej frequently
attends EV gatherings and rallies. In 2013, he won first place in the Electric Vehicles category and the
Consumption Driving category at the Rallye Monte Carlo des Énergies Nouvelles with Metron’s
converted Dacia.
In 2015, Andrej and Jasna set an unofficial world range record for electric vehicles by driving 826 km
(516 miles) on a single charge, from Berlin to Karlsruhe, with an average speed of 72 km/h (45 mph)
while passing through five cities. The car, Metron 7, had a range far beyond any other street-legal
family vehicle at the time. With this car, they also won first place in the "Pioneers" category at the
WAVE 2015, the world’s largest EV rally.
As part of the Metron Institute, Andrej has also contributed to technical training and lectures,
educating students and technicians about electric mobility, sustainability, and the practical aspects of
converting cars to electric propulsion.
In October 2015, Andrej was named a finalist for the World Technology Award for his contributions
to environmental achievements through the introduction of a sustainable energy cycle. He became a
fellow of the World Technology Network during the finals held in New York City. This energy cycle
has been implemented at various locations in Slovenia and Austria. Between 2018 and 2020, Andrej
collaborated with the leading Slovenian electricity supplier GEN-i on integrating electric vehicles into
the energy sector through the Sustainable Energy Cycle.
Since December 2023, Andrej has served as an advisor to the Slovenian Prime Minister on matters of
energy and electric mobility.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Andrej and Jasna have been passionate mountain climbers for
over 30 years, specializing in ice climbing. Their climbing experiences have shown Andrej the
undeniable effects of global warming worldwide, further fueling his commitment to promoting
sustainable living in all its forms, not just sustainable mobility.
Andrej’s personal motto is: Where there’s a will, there’s always a way.
