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Historic vehicle association against electric drivetrain conversions

The global body representing historic car clubs has come out against the growing trend of fitting electric drivetrains to classic cars.


FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens, or International Federation for Historic Vehicles) stated it "cannot promote, to owners or regulators, the use of modern EV components... to replace a historic vehicle’s powertrain" as it is an "organisation dedicated to the preservation, protection and promotion of historic vehicles".

The organisation concedes "all modifications are a matter of personal choice", but argues the installation of a new, more modern form of propulsion goes against its advocacy for the maintaining old cars in "historically correct condition" and keeping the "related culture" alive.

Tiddo Bresters, FIVA's vice president, says, "It is not... the shape or body style of a vehicle that makes it ‘historic’, but the way in which the entire vehicle has been constructed and manufactured in its original form".

He recommends anybody or company keen on doing an EV conversion to keep and mark all the original drivetrain components, so the car to be returned to a near-original state in the future and "once again become a historic vehicle".

According to FIVA's definition, a "historic vehicle" is mechanically-propelled road vehicle over 30 years old which is "part of our technical and cultural heritage". The car cannot be used a daily driver, and must kept in a historically accurate state with only "in period" modifications allowed.

Not only are current and prospective owners of classic cars interested in electric drivetrain installation, but manufacturers are also getting in on the act.

In 2017 Jaguar unveiled the E-Type Zero (pictured above), while late last year Aston Martin said it has plans to begin EV conversions on some of its classic cars.

The Aston Martin process would see cars fitted with an electric drivetrain cassette, which could be swapped back out for the original components.

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