Classic cars are 'here to stay' as new electric regulations could be the 'only feasible option' for drivers

Classic cars are 'here to stay' as new electric regulations could be the 'only feasible option' for drivers

WATCH: Experts react to the zero emission vehicle mandate

GB NEWS
Felix Reeves

By Felix Reeves


Published: 01/03/2024

- 14:29

Updated: 01/03/2024

- 14:29

The aim of the standards is to provide companies with a 'checklist of issues' when converting to electric

Classic vehicle owners will be able to view new regulations which are designed to help motorists understand the process of electrifying vintage cars.

New Minimum Professional Standards guidance has been launched by the Historic and Classic Vehicle Alliance (HCVA) for people looking to convert their vintage cars.


The new measures will help drivers and garages when converting classic vehicles from internal combustion to electric drivetrains.

In recent years, the number of people looking to convert their electric vehicles has become more common in a bid to extend the longevity of their cars.

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The HCVA hopes to work with the DfT in the coming months

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Many people in towns and cities are making use of conversion technology to turn their classic car into an urban or even commuter vehicle.

The aim of the Minimum Professional Standards is to provide companies with a “checklist of issues to address during the design, incorporation and use of these complex systems”.

The HCVA said the new technology may be unfamiliar to garages which have primarily dealt with internal combustion engines.

In the document, garage and businesses will learn about less-known areas like weight distribution, structural considerations and logic protocols in the completed system.

Customers will see a presentation of the technical document and a certificate at the end of the electrification process to prove the MPS has been followed.

Guy Lachlan, executive director of the HCVA, said classic cars are “here to stay” and backed the use of electrification.

He added: “Obviously electric conversions are not for everyone, or every car, but for some people, they represent the only feasible option for classic motoring,” he told Octane Magazine.

The HCVA is aiming to work with the Department for Transport to potentially roll the regulations out across the country.

Before any discussions with the DfT, the HCVA hopes the document will provide “useful guidance for current electrification companies, new entrants and those who are considering working in this area”.

Some drivers have spoken of the importance of converting classic cars for their finances and for the health of the vehicle.

Peter Brazier owns the first Ferrari 308 to have a Tesla motor installed and lamented the old engine and issues with replacing the fuel system,

He said: “It was getting to that point where I had to do something with it: either sell it, or rebuild the engine, one thing or the other."

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Owners of vehicles that were registered more than 40 years ago are exempt from paying Vehicle Excise Duty and do not need to get an MOT, although they must still tax their vehicle and keep it in a roadworthy condition.

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