Taking away its Soul

As we are now in the motor car world of Electrification, it was inevitable that some bright spark (ignore the pun) thought we should ‘Future Proof Classics’ by replacing the combustion motor with an electric one.

Inevitably, there are pros and cons.

The purists say the smell of leather, the smell of the fuel, and the engine’s snarl bring a classic car to life.

On the other hand, the future proofers argue that it brings the car into the 21st century and is good for the environment.

Interestingly, a Welsh firm specialising in converting ICE to electric engines says around 40% of the batteries they use are recycled from crashed EVs.

The firm, Electric Classic Cars, is more interested in making a classic car a safe and enjoyable modern-day drive.

On the other side of the argument, the literalists believe any restoration must be model perfect, the way it left the factory when new.

They feel the Soul has been removed, never to be returned.

The pros submit improved performance, reduced emissions, lower operating costs and increased future value as the electric market matures.

The cons opine need for authenticity, conversion cost, weight, resultant problems, and realistic range.

According to a recent global survey by Deloitte, 69% of consumers expect their next vehicle to have an internal combustion engine (ICE) powertrain.

Ultimately, the choice is personal, and there are arguments for both sides.

I would be interested in your view; comments are most welcome.