DVLA rules on converting a Historic to Ev

[zippy500]

Hi All,
I just want clarification to converting my Historic Car (1973 ) to EV rules for UK in 2026.

really want to get the project moving this year

more worried about holes and additional cutting and welding to original car

Don't want to carry on if I have already messed up . I started my project some years ago .

Do DVLA have to be informed of a conversion of a Historic Car, I was going to leave the V5 alone , but would have told insurance company of what I am doing.

It a leaf conversion, I haven't altered the chassis, but have altered made new motor mounts to the engine subframe, using original gearbox,
I have added a tesla Bosch brake booster which frame has been bolted to car.
Have added electric PAS inline to the steering column.

I don't think the boot part of the car comes under the main structure , which I was going to change to suit battery boxes

just wondering If have ruined the project ?

Thanks

[Jacobsmess]

So the old.rules were is you drilled or welded to the monocoque it needed an IVA. The DVLA brought out new rules a few months ago. Now I believe its only an issue if you drill.or weld within 30cm of the suspension components. There may be more to it also, look here... https://openinverter.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6579
Im.not sure whether having historic status changes this.

[ianlighting]

I don’t think it’s relevant whether it’s historic or not. You *should* tell the DVLA about the conversion either way. But I got mine through before the latest changes Jacobsmess refers to. Mines a 1974. I haven’t noticed anyone writing up going through the new process yet.

Whatever you decide to do, worth considering the DVLA are unlikely to know exactly how your car looked when it was original, so worst case, as long as you can convince them it was originally like it is now, what can they say. I’m sure your Ibooster bolt holes were there before weren’t they because it’s exactly the same pattern as the original brake servo, surely?!

You could also do a minimal job to get past whatever the test is now, and then do a v2 once you have a bit more freedom.

[LRBen]

Hi All,
I just want clarification to converting my Historic Car (1973 ) to EV rules for UK in 2026.

really want to get the project moving this year

more worried about holes and additional cutting and welding to original car

Don't want to carry on if I have already messed up . I started my project some years ago .

Do DVLA have to be informed of a conversion of a Historic Car, I was going to leave the V5 alone , but would have told insurance company of what I am doing.

It a leaf conversion, I haven't altered the chassis, but have altered made new motor mounts to the engine subframe, using original gearbox,
I have added a tesla Bosch brake booster which frame has been bolted to car.
Have added electric PAS inline to the steering column.

I don't think the boot part of the car comes under the main structure , which I was going to change to suit battery boxes

just wondering If have ruined the project ?

Thanks

I've put two vehicles through the new process. One is a historic Fiat 500, he other was my MGF. The Fiat 500 was a bolt in job so never a problem with the old system. The MG I cut out the spare tyre compartment in the front, so rather a big hole made in the body. I was honest about the body modifications, but provided no photos.

In both cases they went through in about 2-3 week, no questions just a new logbook. The Fiat 500 is now electric on the logbook, however the MG is still down as petrol. I also got a letter through a few days later stating that due to it being post 2001, the tax class cannot be changed. On the bright side I think that means I won't be paying 3p a mile from 2028. On the less bright side I'm already paying £300a year road tax for an EV that does 4.5 miles per kWh, can't win them all I guess.

So I think you will be fine, just make sure whatever you say that any major modifications are more than 30cm from any suspension mounting point. Also point out the relevant safety systems, like inertia switch cut off, HV isolation fault monitoring, HV interlocks and IPXXB(I think) connectors. I'm not sure that really makes any difference at the moment, but it doesn't hurt. The old points based system seems to be ignored for conversions now.

[ianlighting]

I've put two vehicles through the new process.

Did they still send an inspector out or was it all just paperwork?

[LRBen]

Did they still send an inspector out or was it all just paperwork?

No inspectors, you fill out a two page form that doesn't ask for all that much detail. A MOT done after the conversion is done, and whatever supporting documents you want to give. For the Fiat I didn't send any. For the MG I just wrote a cover letter to explain things in a bit more detail.

Logbooks came back no questions asked within three weeks.

[ianlighting]

No inspectors, you fill out a two page form that doesn't ask for all that much detail. A MOT done after the conversion is done, and whatever supporting documents you want to give. For the Fiat I didn't send any. For the MG I just wrote a cover letter to explain things in a bit more detail.

Logbooks came back no questions asked within three weeks.

That’s fantastic! I know they had some wording about work needing to be done by ‘qualified’ people without defining what that meant. Based on your experience they sound like theyre being relaxed about it. Congratulations!

[LRBen]

That’s fantastic! I know they had some wording about work needing to be done by ‘qualified’ people without defining what that meant. Based on your experience they sound like theyre being relaxed about it. Congratulations!

Well on that detail the Fiat logbook was in the name of my workplace company, and we stated in the details it was carried out by ‘qualified’ people without naming anything specific. On my MG I stated my HV qualification. What difference if any that made I'm not sure. Might get a bit braver with more fiats in the future and see what I can leave out and still get through.

[zippy500]

Thanks for the replies, feel a little at ease, can I just show some pics of my butchery what I did, for some opinions.

There is a part on the DVLA about mods to the load bearing subframe.

I removed the sub frame and fabricated new motor mounts to it, as the original did line up at all.

The whole area in yellow box is what has been added.

If you think this is wrong , I can still get a 2nd hand subframe and make it work .

up next is the brake booster, you can see the fame and how I have mounted it , have drilled the inner wing support and front bulkhead.
The holes for the inner wing are within the 30cm rule from the suspension leg. like you said I could say the holes where already there.

there is space behind the radiator which I was going to make a battery box, was going to weld some mounts to the chassis rail, will have to look into other ways now

lastly in the boot area, the empty space is where the fuel tank was, the spare wheel space is rusted out, was going to remove the spare wheel well and make battery boxes to drop-in to those spaces, Is that acceptable ?

Going to be more mindful moving forward with mods