Bruce M wrote: ↑Sat Nov 05, 2022 10:56 am
Trouble is… a sensible person might suggest some form of modified IVA where the original body can be maintained and an assessment of the battery mounting structure + any modifications to suspension & brakes etc. Or something else along those lines.
But anything like that would require new legislation.
Instead you have senior officials, who have an opinion on EV conversations, that are documenting a policy that can be shaped to fit inside the existing laws, which that official can’t change.
So they decide that any EV conversation automatically qualifies as “highly modified” and therefore the existing law is used to prevent them being used on the road unless they meet IVA / Q plate standards. Even if that means stretching the interpretation of the points system way beyond the spirit of the legislation.
Agree, that seems to be exactly what's happening.
I think for now the sensible option for me is:
1) proceed with zero chassis mods. I don't need to modify anyway, there are plenty of pre-existing decent attachment points. Just be extra careful and photograph the lack of mods and non-invasive mountings
2) keep all ICE parts, so can be reversed if necessary
3) when complete, take a look at the real life situation with DVLA and decide whether it's prudent to apply to have the fuel type changed
Re point 3 I suspect that, at some point, there will be successful legal challenge to over-zealous application of the points system. Perhaps by a professional converter (or consortium of same) which has carefully built something 100% compliant with the points system and (rightly) contests incorrect application of the current law. The working guidelines will then change. Or new sensible legislation and testing of conversions will appear but, as others have said, that might not be any time soon...
Might still do the Range Rover first as a test mule.