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In the digital age, buying or selling a classic car has become more accessible than ever. However,...
It’s a debate that’s properly splitting the classic car community right down the middle, causing more arguments than a dodgy satnav on a bank holiday weekend so we thought we'd revisit this topic! Is swapping a glorious, rumbling straight six for a silent pack of batteries an act of pure vandalism, or is it the only way we’ll keep our beloved classics on the road as the world turns its back on petrol? The battle lines are drawn, so let’s stick our heads above the parapet and see what all the fuss is about.
On one side, you’ve got the forward thinkers, the modernists, the people who reckon an electric conversion is the ultimate act of salvation for our ageing motors. They’ll tell you it’s about future proofing. With clean air zones popping up like mushrooms and the 2035 ban on new petrol car sales looming, they argue that a battery powered classic is a happy classic, one that can actually be driven without getting a snotty letter from the council or feeling a pang of guilt every time you press the accelerator.
The promise of a silent thrill
Then there’s the performance argument. Electric motors deliver instant torque, meaning your once leisurely Morris Minor could suddenly have the get-up-and-go of a startled cat. Companies like Electrogenic and Electric Classic Cars are turning icons from E-Types to Land Rovers into surprisingly rapid, reliable machines. Proponents say it’s the best of both worlds: timeless style with modern performance and dependability, minus the oil leaks on the driveway. It’s a compelling thought, isn’t it? Cruising in a piece of history, but with the quiet confidence that it’ll actually start when you want it to.
Let’s be honest, not every classic car was blessed with a masterpiece under the bonnet. For every magnificent V12, there were a thousand wheezy four pots that struggled to pull the skin off a rice pudding. As journalist Tom Ford pointed out, no one really bought a VW Beetle for its engine. Swapping out a clunky, unreliable engine for a smooth, silent electric motor can transform the driving experience for the better, turning a frustrating garage ornament into a usable, enjoyable car. Some high-end conversions, like those from the wizards at Lunaz, are even designed to be completely reversible, meaning you can always return the car to its original state if you have a change of heart (and a very deep wallet).
A crime against character?
But for every convert, there’s a purist screaming “Sacrilege!” from the oily depths of their workshop. For them, a classic car is a symphony of mechanical noises, smells, and vibrations. The roar of the engine, the smell of unburnt fuel, the lumpy idle – that’s the soul of the machine. To remove the internal combustion engine is to perform a heart transplant and replace it with a soulless appliance. A silent Ferrari, they argue, is no Ferrari at all. It’s just a pretty shape that moves.
And it seems the majority of owners agree. A recent survey by Heritage Classic Car Insurance found that a whopping 82% of classic owners are not open to converting their cars to electric . They feel it destroys the very essence of what makes a classic, classic. This sentiment is backed by the top brass, too. The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA), the global body for historic vehicles, is clear: a car with an EV powertrain is no longer a 'historic vehicle' in their eyes. It's just a replica with a modern heart.
The price of progress
Then there’s the small matter of the cost. While a basic DIY kit might set you back a few thousand quid, a professional, top-quality conversion is a serious investment. We’re talking tens of thousands of pounds. And if you want the full Lunaz treatment on your Aston Martin DB6? You’ll need to find over £1 million down the back of the sofa . For that money, you could buy a whole fleet of original classics, and still have change for a lifetime’s supply of petrol and oil.
The green question
Finally, the green argument isn’t as black and white as it seems. The carbon footprint of manufacturing a new set of batteries is huge, and many argue that since most classics cover very limited mileage each year, their overall environmental impact is tiny anyway. Is it really greener to create a new battery than to keep a well-maintained, sparingly used petrol engine running? Some in the community believe the real salvation lies not in batteries, but in the development of synthetic, carbon neutral fuels that could power our old engines for decades to come. Now there’s a thought.
So, where do you stand? Is an electric conversion a genius way to keep classics alive for a new generation, or is it a monstrous act of cultural vandalism? It’s a personal choice, but one thing’s for sure – this is a conversation that’s only just getting started.
