Petition to allow classic car EV conversions to continue

[Bitsilly]

As some of you know, I restored a 1960 Mini ditching the 850cc engine for an electric motor.
Unfortunately, DVLA said that because I drilled holes in the boot, it is now a modified kit-car.
They couldn't fault the conversion, but due to the holes my car needs an IVA test which it could never pass.
They refused to allow the holes to be welded up so this is terminal, the car is scrap.

With their success applying old rules in this new way to conversions, I cannot see what is stopping them being applied to anything frowned upon by the DVLA.

So please, I ask you to sign this petition which I hope will end this threat

I also humbly ask you to spread the word by forwarding it to anyone you know who may care.

Many thanks
Ed

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/625633
Ed

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/625633

[69S4]

I thought everyone was ditching engines and putting in batteries these days. There's been enough tv programmes about it, and the very attractive sales lady from the conversion co up the road from me tried her best to convince me to convert my Elan a few months back. So are these conversions now frowned upon?

I also thought everyone drilled holes in the boots of classic Minis - otherwise nature eventually made its own holes.

[trw99]

Ed, sorry, but not being up on these regs, I had to look up what IVA stood for and what it implied for conversions.

It might be helpful to others like me if your petition had some further info on IVA and what it stands for.

I have every sympathy for you. Keeping any classic car on the road should be a guiding principle for DVLA and not bureaucratic nonsense.

Surely others have come up against this problem? Need a pressure group.

Tim

[Bitsilly]

I agree completely, unfortunately it took 3 attempts and rejections where I was forced to dumb it down until almost unrecognisable. Then they rewrote it in an even more generic form removing any blame on the dvla and all the case details!
I perhaps write a short summary?

[billwill]

I thought that this issue had been settled by an earlier petition? What has happened here?


Former discussion is at: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=51440

The former petition is at: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/600954

and the response following the debate in POarliament was:

Our ‘Future of Transport’ work is a broad and ambitious programme focused on supporting the industry. The regulatory review aims to ensure our transport regulations are fit for the future.

As part of the Future of Transport: Modernising Vehicle Standards regulatory review, we have put forward proposals to enable Government to better target and prevent harmful tampering with vehicle emission control systems, as well as with safety and security critical systems, parts and components.

We are not proposing that all modifications be prevented, and we recognise there are legitimate reasons why a vehicle owner or business may want to modify a vehicle. Our proposals are not intended to hinder activities such as motorsports, restoration, repairs, or legitimate improvements and alterations to vehicles, or indeed do any damage to the businesses involved in these activities.

Nevertheless, certain modifications can negatively affect the safety and health of the vehicle owner, its occupants, other road users, and the wider population.

Tampering activities that prevent a vehicle’s emissions system from operating correctly, such as the removal of the diesel particulate filter from a vehicle’s exhaust, can significantly increase a vehicle’s harmful pollutant emissions.

Therefore, as vehicles become increasingly automated, we want to prevent alterations to a vehicle’s integral software and sensing technologies which could create safety and security risks. A badly modified vehicle has the potential to kill its occupants and other road users. It is also essential that we ensure modern vehicles remain cyber secure throughout their lifetime, and that any modifications do not make them vulnerable to malicious cyber-attacks.

The MOT test is an important part of ensuring that vehicles on our roads are safe and roadworthy. However, we must also recognise that the MOT test is fundamentally an inspection of a vehicle as presented at the time of a test and can only be a simple check.

There are risks in relying solely upon the MOT test to tackle harmful tampering. For example, it only includes basic checks for the presence and/or function of certain emissions control equipment and is not proof that the relevant emissions standards are being met. It is therefore important that we also have the powers to target and prevent tampering activities that negatively affect road safety, vehicle security and the environment.

We opened a consultation on these measures on 28 September, which closed on 22 November. The Government will consider all responses received and publish a consultation response summarising the responses and setting out the next steps. Any legislative proposals taken forward will be carefully defined so they do not prevent vehicle owners or businesses from making legitimate modifications to vehicles.

Department for Transport

[billwill]

Just a non-information post to indicate that I made an extensive change to my posting above.

[Bitsilly]

The former discussion was indeed about my case, it didn't settle anything.
That petition was nothing to with things, it was as an example someone showed me of what could be done.
My completely different petition on a different matter is now live.

[Donels]

I'm not sure I agree with the petition and do have some sympathy with the DVLA. For example inadequately mounting the batteries where in the event of an accident they could smash into the back of the occupants would clearly be unacceptable, so there must be some rules, etc.

I agree that rejecting due to drilling holes in the boot seems to be completely over the top. There are companies converting classic cars so maybe a chat with these guys would give you some pointers. I think there is a guy who has converted and Elan to electric, so it is possible. I suggest a bit more research to focus your petition would help.

[Spyder fan]

I just signed,

Good luck, hope you get clarification of the rules in a common sense manner.

[Bitsilly]

Cheers Alan.

Donels, you have missed the point somewhat. The reason my car has to have an IVA is precisely because I did what you suggest. The drilled holes were to safely secure the battery packs in the boot.

I am aware of at least 15 conversion companies who support this petition, they have more to lose than I. Since my case most of the honourable ones have had to stop taking new orders unless they are not intended for road use.

There is indeed a guy who converted an Elan to electric, since then the DVLA stopped allowing electrification past as an engine change, hence this petition.

As you say there have to be some rules and that is what this is all about. It is inappropriate to rehash old kit car rules and twist them to apply to this new issue.

It took 3 months and much correspondence to get this far, and I am exhausted, disillusioned and bitter. So thank you for suggesting I do a bit more research but this is it for me now, the fight is about more than my car, it is against government nonsense and it hopes to save a growing British ecologically friendly industry employing many.

Cheers

[Bitsilly]

Thanks again everyone.
FYI since starting the petition, someone contacted me to help who had had his cars reg confiscated over 2 years after he thought he had had it sorted. So I really do think they are moving to apply these rules wherever they can getaway with it, and retrospectively too!

[smo17003]

It does make me wonder how much pressure the DVLA is under from the car industry. Why buy a new electric car if an old one can be successfully converted at a fraction of the cost? Or is that too much of a conspiracy theory?

[richardcox_lotus]

I’ve signed your petition via your Facebook link. I suggest you change the permissions on it so it can be shared on other FB groups.

Thanks and good luck with it
Richard

[elanfan1]

Put it on Pistonheads to get maximum exposure

[Bitsilly]

Yes, will do!