Electric converted classic Mini. Yes or No?

General Chat with an emphasis on BMC Minis & Other iconic cars of the 1960's.
Post Reply
User avatar
mab01uk
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 8579
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:08 pm
Location: S.E. England
Has thanked: 262 times
Been thanked: 231 times

Electric converted classic Mini. Yes or No?

Post by mab01uk »

User avatar
snoopy64
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1338
Joined: Sat Mar 07, 2015 7:40 pm
Location: M96, North Cotswolds , UK
Has thanked: 93 times
Been thanked: 14 times

Re: Electric converted classic Mini. Yes or No?

Post by snoopy64 »

For me this is interesting but not useful… really struggling to see the point of these conversions at this point in time… As an engineering exercise it’s been done, tick! But is there really enough demand for all these small businesses doing this??
Cheers

Kevin
mk1
Site Admin
Posts: 19835
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:30 am
Location: Away with the Faries
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 10 times

Re: Electric converted classic Mini. Yes or No?

Post by mk1 »

With a range of barely 100 miles & the massive cost, I would suggest not.
User avatar
Exminiman
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 3104
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2017 7:59 am
Location: Berkshire UK
Has thanked: 58 times
Been thanked: 57 times

Re: Electric converted classic Mini. Yes or No?

Post by Exminiman »

Agree, bit pointless and quite risky, especially with insurers getting twitchy - an aftermarket conversion is likely to make them twitch even more
Last edited by Exminiman on Thu Oct 19, 2023 10:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
woodypup59
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1577
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 5:28 pm
Location: London UK
Has thanked: 9 times
Been thanked: 23 times

Re: Electric converted classic Mini. Yes or No?

Post by woodypup59 »

The car in the video is still registered as petrol powered.
As we know, these conversions are a minefield to use legally in the UK.
User avatar
mab01uk
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 8579
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:08 pm
Location: S.E. England
Has thanked: 262 times
Been thanked: 231 times

Re: Electric converted classic Mini. Yes or No?

Post by mab01uk »

Exminiman wrote: Thu Oct 19, 2023 8:57 am Agree, bit pointless and quite risky, especially with insurers getting twitchy - an aftermarket conversion is likely to make them twitch even more
Insurance may be lower if you have one of these EV water tanks nearby or on your driveway should the Lithium battery have a problem while charging.
It will put out the fire more quickly and prevent it reigniting but may of course cause future rust issues in a classic Mini EV conversion unless all vulnerable areas have been well Waxoyled... :lol:

BMW EV in tank....
Image
Mick Gould Commercials Ltd
"This is an example of the way in which Ev’s are managed following a fire. There are several different companies producing them, some in the uk. There are some serious issues even if you can get hold of one of these. The water is contaminated with some nasties and is difficult to dispose of, you have to get the bath to the vehicle before it has done excessive damage etc, you have to load it whilst it is still in a dangerous state, the bath can only take a car and so commercials are still without an emergency option, the cost is very high for both equipment and disposal, the vehicle is a total loss after being dunked and so the list goes on. We will not allow storage of ev or hybrids in the compound following recovery from an accident. They are pushed out onto some waste ground where they cannot cause damage to their surroundings."
Burnt EVs UK:-
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2333275880189834
Last edited by mab01uk on Thu Oct 19, 2023 6:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
mk1coopers
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 2006
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 2:14 pm
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Electric converted classic Mini. Yes or No?

Post by mk1coopers »

So the battery doesn't go up in smoke, but the car definitely gets written off anyway :lol:

No wonder the insurance costs are going up !
Polarsilver
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 2945
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2016 12:22 pm
Location: Silverstone not far away
Has thanked: 38 times
Been thanked: 55 times

Re: Electric converted classic Mini. Yes or No?

Post by Polarsilver »

answer to original question from me is NO .. next question how does classic car insurance deal or even accept an Historic but now Ev car ?
Herbert
998 Cooper
Posts: 737
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2016 11:37 pm
Been thanked: 6 times

Re: Electric converted classic Mini. Yes or No?

Post by Herbert »

Im sorry, but I may sound like a party pooper, but I am against any conversion of a Classic Mini to have an electric engine.
Whats the point ?
You will have trouble insuring it for a start.
My advice is keep the Minis as they are, with an A series engine. If you want an electric runabout, buy a Fiat 500 EV.
User avatar
AndyB72
1275 Cooper S
Posts: 1386
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 12:44 pm
Location: Wakefield, West Yorks
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Electric converted classic Mini. Yes or No?

Post by AndyB72 »

Anyone got a 10p coin?? ;)
IMG_1899.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
mk1
Site Admin
Posts: 19835
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 11:30 am
Location: Away with the Faries
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 10 times

Re: Electric converted classic Mini. Yes or No?

Post by mk1 »

Image
Post Reply