Electric Vehicles and the Law...

Do you own or use a EV. Then this is a good place to discuss things.
Ashev
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Electric Vehicles and the Law...

Postby Ashev » Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:43 pm

Hello

I'm in the process of planning a 'to electric' car conversion. I'm doing as much reading as I possibly can before putting any money down, but one area which I've not been able to find much information on is the UK Road Law regarding electric converted cars.

I've found out from the DVLA web pages that you don't need to pay road tax (simply apply for it and they issue you with a years worth), but things like getting the car through the MOT or even if the car will need to be MOT'd don't appear on any of the searches I've made.

Does anyone know of a definitive guide, or have links to relevant bits of information that might answer my questions? Maybe someone who has done a conversion might be able to lend a few pearls of wisdom!

Cheers!

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EVguru
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Postby EVguru » Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:31 pm

There used to be some confusion on the MOT point.

From what I was able to find out, Commercial vehicles of under 1250Kg unladen (I think) were exempt from testing. This was really to allow milkfloats to operate contiunously, without having to lose a day on the test. They were considered to be 'fleet maintained' and maintainance records could be inspected. I believe that Police vehicles amounst others are similarly exempt.

The BVS used to advise that all roadgoing EVs were exempt. I think this error was becuase many of the Enfield vehicles were owned by the Electricity Board and used as meter reading vehicles. They were registered as commercial vehicles and as as such were MOT exempt. Their exact status when sold into private hands was something of a grey area and the DVLA weren't exactly helpful by not asking for an MOT certificate to be produced, even when it was legally required.

At one stage some people in the BVS were reluctant to accept the legal situation, even when it was made quite clear in the manual of the Electric Vehicle Association (a trade body). Eventually (after some months I understand) the DVLA made the matter officially clear and started requiring an MOT on the reminder forms. I put one vehicle through an MOT even when I too thought it wasn't a legal requirement. It's actually quite a cheap way of getting a vehicle inspected!

I know of at least one accident involving an Enfield, that probably resulted from the vehicle not having had anual MOT inspections. A worn front suspension collapsed.

You'll find some information in other threads about getting a vehicle registered and there are at least two approaches.

Very roughly;

One.

Convert the vehicle, insure it, get an MOT and tax it as a PLG. Inform the DVLA of the fuel type and tax class change and get a tax refund. They are likely to require a vehicle inspection.

Two.

Convert the vehicle, insure it, get an MOT, inform DVLA of the fuel type and tax class change. Take vehicle for an inspection and wait.

The former gets the vehicle on the road much faster, but a recent conversation with an ex DVLA employee indicated that this approach is illegal and a fine for not informing them of vehicle changes is possible (but very unlikely).

When they are not taxing vehicles on line, the DVLA often appear to have no idea whatsoever of what they are doing. Try to get in touch with someone at you local office as soon as possible (they're generally very helpful).
Paul

http://www.compton.vispa.com/scirocco/
http://www.morini-mania.co.uk
http://www.compton.vispa.com/the_named

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Peter Eggleston
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Postby Peter Eggleston » Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:34 pm

The weight limit for exempt commercial electrics is not 1250 kgs. Berlingos are exempt and weigh about 1500 kgs and milk floats are about 2000 kgs unlaiden.
Peter

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EVguru
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Postby EVguru » Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:40 pm

Now that I have the EVA manual in front of me;

Exemption for vehicles under 1525Kg unladen under the Motor Vehicle (tests) regulations.

Exemption for vehicle over 1525Kg unladen under the Goods Vehicle (plating and testing) regulations.
Paul

http://www.compton.vispa.com/scirocco/
http://www.morini-mania.co.uk
http://www.compton.vispa.com/the_named

Ashev
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Postby Ashev » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:15 pm

Thanks for the replies guys!

So if I'm understanding correctly, as a private/personal car (not PLG - I'm hoping it will be 'sports') I'll have to declare this to the DVLA, who will change the classification / engine rating. Then I'll have to get it MOT'd, but that the MOT obviously won't be concerned with any ICE tests.

I think with batteries/motor my car will probably be over 1525kgs. Of course its not so easy to be certain without finally getting it on a weighbridge (.. one at the local MOT station of course).

Cheers..

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EVguru
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Postby EVguru » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:58 pm

Ashev wrote:So if I'm understanding correctly, as a private/personal car (not PLG - I'm hoping it will be 'sports')


PLG; Private / Light goods is (was) the standard classification for a car. Now you have all the CO2 classes and I don't know how that appears on the document.

I'll have to declare this to the DVLA, who will change the classification / engine rating. Then I'll have to get it MOT'd, but that the MOT obviously won't be concerned with any ICE tests.


I've always arranged insurance and MOT first. Then you tell the DVLA that the fuel type is now 'electric' and the taxation class is also 'electric'.

I think with batteries/motor my car will probably be over 1525kgs. Of course its not so easy to be certain without finally getting it on a weighbridge (.. one at the local MOT station of course).


Ouch, that's quite heavy.

What car are you considering converting and what weight of battery?

I wouldn't try and go down the MOT exempt route. Apart from the safety angle that arises (too temprting to say 'Oh it's fine for another year'), you may get hit with much higher insurance rates. I've heard of quite a few people who insure vans as motorcaravans to save a lot of money on their premiums, but if they're really using them as van, it's insurance fraud. I also nearly got caught out on my no claims when I had a pickup for a while (FSO 125P, great machine!). Car NCB transfers to a commercial, but doesn't automatically transfer back. If I had only insured the pickup for two years, I would have lost my car NCB.
Paul

http://www.compton.vispa.com/scirocco/
http://www.morini-mania.co.uk
http://www.compton.vispa.com/the_named

Ashev
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Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:35 pm

Postby Ashev » Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:44 am

Hello,

The car weighs about 1300kgs with all the ICE, without - I'm guessing a shade over 1000kgs. Motor + batteries + electronics I'm thinking add back 400kgs (rough guestimate) so its going to be quite close. I'd rather err on the side of caution rather than assume that it'll be under.

As was mentioned elsewhere, I don't think I want to shy away from the MOT as it is quite a nice cheap check up for the vehicle, and I always get the council to do my cars (they are unbiased, they don't do repairs so have no reason to 'be dodgy').

I fear that insurance may be an interesting one to try to get sorted out, I've spoken to my current insurer (specialist sports car insurance) and they weren't having any of it. Although I've got a good few months of SORN hard graft before I really need to start thinking about insurance.

Thanks again for all your knowledgeable replies!

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qdos
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Postby qdos » Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:52 am

That sounds pretty heavy to me for a sports car, out of curiosity what is it?

Ashev
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Postby Ashev » Fri Aug 22, 2008 2:37 pm

I don't think its too heavy!?

Lotus Elise 2002+ is 910kgs, so it is only 400 kgs heavier than a stock lotus which is one of the lightest normal road going sports cars.

Its lighter than the Porsche GT3 so personally I don't think its too lardy.

I'm keeping mum about what it is until I've actually bought it..

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EVguru
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Postby EVguru » Fri Aug 22, 2008 2:56 pm

I remember when the Fiat X1/9 was considered to be a VERY heavy small sports car at 960Kg in 1500 version. It was built to comply with American crash regs that were never actually implemented. Dumping the American impact bumpers (1/4" thick alloy extrusions) saved quite a few Kg.

I thought the Elise was more like 800Kg at that date, an Exige might be 900+.
Paul

http://www.compton.vispa.com/scirocco/
http://www.morini-mania.co.uk
http://www.compton.vispa.com/the_named


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