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When it comes to driving in the UK, there is no doubt that the future is electric.

We are fast picking up the pace at which we are transitioning to electric motoring.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) cited by Next Green Car show that there were over 164,000 pure-electric cars on UK roads at the end of September 2020, together with more than 373,600 plug-in models which includes plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

In fact, 2020 has been an extremely strong year for electric vehicle sales. September recorded a significant 184% jump in pure-electric registrations compared to the previous year, with PHEVs increasing by 139%.

To compare, petrol cars saw a 21% decline in registrations in the same period, while diesel registrations dropped by 38%.

It’s not just September that has seen sharp increases in electric car registrations: they jumped by 110% in August, 287% in July and 198% in June compared to the same months in 2019. All this makes 2020 the best year for electric vehicle sales so far.

So what impact could this electric revolution have on classic cars? And what would be the implications for classic car insurance? Let’s take a closer look below.

Preparing for the future

The government currently has plans to ban all new fossil fuel vehicles from 2040. However, as the Guardian recently reported, we could see the government bringing forward this date by 10 years to 2030, in a bid to trigger a green economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Prime minister Boris Johnson is expected to deliver an announcement this autumn where he will lay out plans to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, along with a number of other clean energy initiatives.

The government had already launched a consultation on bringing forward the deadline on sales of fossil fuel vehicles from 2040 to 2035. However, it is predicted that it will now be more ambitious in its approach after it gained assurance that our infrastructure is ready to deal with the transition to electric cars.

If the new, earlier date gets the green light, it will position the UK in front of France’s deadline of 2040, and in line with Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands, all of which will be initiating the ban from 2030.

There have been concerns that our infrastructure simply wouldn’t be ready in time to support the earlier transition to electric cars.

However, Graeme Cooper, the director in charge of the National Grid’s electric vehicle project, believes that the UK’s electric grid could certainly cope with an influx in electric vehicle charging. He said the operator was “confident that a faster transition was possible” and that it is “suitably robust” to deal with the rise in demand.

The ban will only be applied to the sale of new cars, so it won’t mean that everyone needs to switch to electric alternatives.

Although, many people are deciding to embrace the future now and make decisions that reduce the impact they have on our planet.

 

Back to the future – can classics be electric?

It almost seems like a juxtaposition: a classic car, powered by electricity rather than a petrol or diesel engine. When we think of classics, we often think of loud, roaring engines, and even that subtle scent of fuel as we fire them up and pull away.

While it’s possible for classic cars to be made electric, perhaps the most important question is, why would people want to do it?

Before we explore this topic some more, if you are the proud owner of a classic car, you will want to make sure that it is protected with quality classic car insurance.

Lancaster Insurance has been proudly arranging competitive policies for classic and vintage cars for more than 35 years. With our experience and industry knowledge, we’re able to provide a quote for virtually every classic car – so, why not give us a try?

 

The benefits of electric classics

There are, in fact, a number of benefits to replacing a classic car’s engine and fuel tank with batteries and motors instead. They include:

 

A ‘greener’ choice

There is no hiding from the fact that fossil fuel engines – and especially many older models – are damaging to our environment.

In contrast, an electric classic will have zero exhaust emissions, meaning no nasty air pollutants being released into the atmosphere.

Plus, you have a chance to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions if you choose to boost your car’s battery using renewable energy.

Improved performance and dependability

In many cases, an electric conversion on a classic can enhance torque, acceleration and even its top speed. You may even find that it’s easier to handle, if the batteries are positioned in a way that better balances the weight of the car.

It could also make a classic more reliable. You won’t face any engine woes, and fewer moving parts means fewer things to potentially go wrong.

 

Cut costs

There are serious savings to be made by converting a classic car to an electric.

Fuel is where you are likely to save the most – the cost of a full charge pales in insignificance to what it costs to fill up most classic cars. And if it costs less to run, that means you may feel inspired to take it out on the road a little more often.

Just remember to update your classic car insurance policy if you believe your mileage will increase.

Also, if an electric conversion makes the vehicle all-round more dependable, this could mean you save money on repairs or on sourcing parts if something goes wrong – both of which can prove to be extremely costly endeavours.

It is possible, then, that an electric classic car may offer you the best of both worlds: classic looks and appeal, with zero emissions and driveable in a modern age.

There will alway be critics who claim that electrifying a classic damages its heritage, but for your classic car, it’s your decision to make, and you cannot ignore the potential benefits of such a project.

 

A classic-electric boom

AutoExpress reports that there has been a recent boom in electric classic car conversions.

It says that despite criticism, owners are “surging ahead with commissions, chasing both the appeal of owning a classic car, and the knowledge that they can drive one around without being criticised for running what would likely be a car with relatively high emissions.”

Perhaps one of the most recognised projects of recent times has been the electrified Jaguar E Type – or the E Type Zero – which was used by Prince Harry and the Duchess of Success as their wedding car.

The article goes on to cite David Lorenz, founder of the Lunaz conversion company, as saying: “The world is changing. Global legislation and shifting attitudes towards sustainability [are] driving demand for clean-air alternatives.”

Lunaz continued by saying that electric classics “represent the ultimate in upcycling and sustainable mobility.”

One of Lunaz’s conversions, on a Jaguar XK120, resulted in the car producing a whopping 375bhp and 700Nm of torque, owing to its 80kWh battery pack and motor. The vehicle has a range of 250 miles plus, and can go from 0-5 in an impressive five seconds.

How much do conversions cost?

Perhaps this is the most important question of them all: how much will converting your classic car to electric set you back?

Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer. That’s because it depends on a range of factors, including the car being converted, the type of conversion planned, and the company.

When it comes to the type of conversion, for instance, some companies commission tailored powertrains and make sure that the conversion is fully reversible, which means that the engine and drivetrain can be reinstated if required.

Other companies perform conversions while also selling standard motors and electric vehicle components with used Tesla battery modules in kits, which means experienced mechanics could perform their own classic car conversion.

To give you an idea of cost, Lunaz’s prices for an electric car conversion tend to start at around £20k, but they can run into the hundreds of thousands depending on the project. Prices for one of Lunaz’s cars start at a staggering £350,000.

However, it is important to remember that spending an initial £20-25k on a conversion could lead to significant, long-term savings, especially in running costs.

London Electric Cars, which recommends budgeting up to £25k for a conversion, recently completed a project on a 1993 Rover Mini. It was converted with a Nissan Leaf motor and drivetrain, with a 20kWh battery pack split between the boot and beneath the rear seat.

To give you an idea, it costs around £1 to charge and can do around 80 miles per charge. As the company explains, the average London trip is five miles – that means the car only needs boosting once a week, with potential charging costs being as little as £50 for an entire year.

It’s also ULEZ exempt, congestion charge exempt, and could offer drivers free residents parking in many boroughs within the capital.

 

What type of cars can be converted?

Conversions can be carried out on classics of all types and values – from the more humble Minis and Fiat 500s, to higher-spec Porsches and Jags.

Different companies may specialise in certain types of classic, so this is something to bear in mind if you’re serious about giving your vehicle an electric facelift.

Should you attempt an electric conversion yourself?

Even if you’re a dab hand at classic car mechanics and know your vehicle inside out, you shouldn’t underestimate the level of work involved in an electric conversion.

As AutoExpress rightly explains, even a basic engine swap is a complex process, while installing an entirely different drivetrain takes it up another notch. Just some of the many tasks involved include:

• Fabricating motor mounts.
• Using strengthening materials to make sure that the chassis can handle the added weight of the batteries.
• Altering the suspension and other components to make them in line with the altered handling characteristics of the car, due to the shift in weight from taking away the engine and installing a battery pack.
• A potential uprating of the brakes to facilitate regenerative braking and handle the added power and torque.
• Adapting features such as heating, lights, power steering and air-conditioning so that they draw power from the batteries as opposed to the engine.

All of the above tasks must be carried out by someone who is also confident in high-voltage electric systems and involved engineering.

Even if you possess the experience and know-how to carry out such a project, you must also consider the time it will take to convert your classic, as well as the equipment and tools involved.

It's a very personal choice: you might be willing to invest the necessary time and be confident you can carry out the conversion successfully, or you might decide to save up and leave it to the professionals.

 

Classic car insurance from Lancaster Insurance

The Lancaster Insurance team has been proudly arranging classic car insurance for more than 35 years.

Our job is to arrange quality, tailored insurance cover to protect your pride and joy, for the best possible price. In fact, we have access to classic car, vintage car and classic vehicle insurance schemes.

Some of the many reasons you should choose classic car insurance from Lancaster Insurance include:

• Hard-to-insure classics and classics without MOT considered
• Classic Car Club member discounts of up to 25%
• Static show cover
• Historical rally cover
• Choice of repairer
• Salvage retention
• Free EU cover up to 90 days
• Two-year agreed valuation available for £18
• Laid up cover available
• Limited mileage discounts

With a policy arranged through Lancaster Insurance, you will also receive 24-hour access to our claims line and UK call centre, so your case will be dealt with as swiftly as possible.

If you’d like to speak to one of our specialist classic car insurance experts about covering your vehicle, call 01480 484826 or request a call back. Or, simply get a quote today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.