Electric classic cars, are they still classic?
From a certain royal prince leaving his wedding in a zero-emission E Type worth a reported £300,000, through to one-man-band outfits that can offer electric motor and battery packs for the economically-minded owners of Morris Minors. The idea of classic cars that have all of the style of their fossil-fueled brethren, with none of exhaust fumes, is very much a la mode.
It is easy to see why the idea is so popular. A vehicle that is technically up to date, with all the charming style of a classic, which does not require any special skill to operate is a winning formula for many. As an added bonus, in many cases swapping from internal combustion to battery power not only reduces emissions but will also hugely increase the performance of the vehicle, meaning that at last, the show will match the go.
While the shift towards electrification has been welcomed by many, there has been a note of caution raised recently. The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA, or the international body representing the interests of historic motorists) has suggested that vehicles which have undergone significant and irrevocable structural changes in order to receive their electric powertrains, could no longer be considered to be “historic vehicles.” In practice, this could mean that owners of historic vehicles undergoing conversion could face having to submit their modified vehicles for voluntary Individual Vehicle Approval testing, before they are allowed back onto the roads.
The FBHVC (Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs), who are members of FIVA, have also clarified their stance regarding the conversion of historic vehicles – David Whale, Chairman of the FBHVC stated: “Whilst we must fully accept that owners are free to do what they wish with their historic vehicles, we must make clear our definition of those converted vehicles in terms of their historic status. We, like FIVA, feel that the combustion engine and related engineering, is a key part of the heritage of a vehicle and is crucial to how it looks, sounds, smells and feels in order to represent the era in which it was constructed as a historical piece.”
If FIVA’s suggestion were to be brought into current legislation, it would raise several big questions for the owners of newly electrified vehicles. Amongst these, would this loss of historic status result in the loss of some of the benefits that come with historic motoring? Would the current road tax exemption for classic cars no longer apply?
Some owners have backed this motion, applauding the preservation of vehicles in their original form. Others have hit back, suggesting that converting classic cars to meet modern emissions targets is a very good way of ensuring that iconic vehicles remain on our roads for as long as possible.
We asked our followers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram what they thought, and the results largely back FIVA and the FBHVC's stance with 64% of people saying that a vehicle is no longer a classic once it's undergone an electric conversion.
Do you agree with the results? Is a classic car running on battery power the way of the future or, do you feel that a vehicle which has been modified beyond its original specification can no longer truly be a classic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Volkswagen has had incredible foresight and is already providing, through their partner: - eClassics GmbH www.e-classics.EV/en - brand new state of the art EV conversions units for the iconic T1 split screen, T2 bay window and soon units for the beetle, Karman Ghia and T3/T25. All the components are manufactured at Volkswagen Group Components factory in Brunswick Wast Germany, and incorporate exactly the same battery modules as in the VW id3,id4, Audi eTron etc… With optional extras such as fast charging up to 100kW, long range 450km range batteries (on some models), power steering, air con, LED high power headlights and cruise control, they match the iconic style of these classics with an unbelievable and incredibly refined driving experience. Driving a classic VW with modern OEM VW EV components that come with a 2 year manufactures guarantee, and even the chassis number is updated on their global database so any where in the world they can type in the VIN and pull up all the build schematics, part numbers auto data etc. The geniuses at Volkswagen have Facebook Ben us a real chance of preserving these iconic vehicles for generations. The UK partner of eClassics is Jacks Garage in west London near Notting Hill Gate.
Joseph eClassics UK, 14/11/2021
My MG Midget would only have the space for a small battery pack which would probably get me about 15 miles, not much good to man nor beast. It is just daft to pretend your car is still a classic with an electric motor, maybe in 50 years when we are using fusion power I joke, they will become classics in their own right. This may put the spanner in the works though what about hydrogen or methane powered classics that keep their own engines and all the running gear apart of course an additional fuel tank.
bridget the midget, 27/11/2019
I have a 70's Mustang its a 302 V8 yes I love the sound but im a realist! As the years go on its getting harder and harder to keep some classics on the road from parts availability to the Mickey Mouse Fuel we now have :( Come the future even the mickey mouse fuel will become unobtainable :( So what then? I get those who love the original engine the sound the smell but when the fuel becomes unobtainable I would rather plug in my car than not have it at all :( You have to adapt to keep stuff on the road where it belongs and all this about not having much range even tiny electric cars can do 150 miles now my Mustang barely does 200 to a tank anyhow! Next few years im having one last hurrah with ICE then im seriously considering it. Like it or not ICE days are numbered and its not our decision. However It is our decision on whether we want our cars to become a giant paperweight or carry on using them powered by other means when the time comes???
Jodester, 08/01/2020