New research finds the majority of car enthusiasts want to see classic EV conversions reclassified by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Specialist insurance broker Footman James surveyed more than 1,300 people about their views on converting classic cars to electric power.
Nearly 70 percent of those questioned agreed with the idea of creating a new classification for converted classic EVs.
The rise of electric classics
At present, only brand new EVs are classified as an electric car on a DVLA V5C registration document.
This means that, after converting a classic car to electric power, the details of the original internal combustion engine remain upon the V5C.
However, the increasing popularity of electrified classics suggests that a new approach could be needed. Footman James highlights that an average of between £20,000 and £40,000 is now spent on classic EV conversions.
Companies such as Lunaz and Everrati have seen substantial demand for electric classic cars, with the wider marketplace covering everything from Land Rovers to Porsches.
David Beckham recently presented his son with an EV-converted Jaguar XK140 as a wedding gift.
The need for official recognition
Managing director of Footman James, David Bond, said: “Electric power is a small but growing sector. This is spilling out to classic owners who are also choosing to swap from petrol to battery power.
“Classic cars by their nature are increasingly restored, modified and upgraded, but interestingly, from the majority of our responders, converting from the internal combustion engine to electric requires more official recognition.
“From the results of this poll, it looks like our audience want there to be a change and move to recognise EV-converted classic cars by the DVLA on the V5 – and look at the green marking on the registration plates to show they are powered by electricity.”
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