Transporter EV conversion

[Fuzzy69r]

With the rapid movement towards EV only I have been toying with the idea of buying a Tesla M3P and keeping my old 170,000 mile golf diesel estate but the more I drive the golf the more I had it and smelly diesel but I can’t fit a towbar to the M3P.
So the thought of converting a T5.1 transporter has been on my mind for a while now especially in the advent of decently priced donor vehicles like the second gen Nissan leaf, starting looking about on the tube and a video was found but quickly turned out to pee on my chips, the DVLA will not allow the classification of the vehicle to change from diesel to electric as it’s classed as a light good’s vehicle.

I asked them why this was not possible and if they could point me in the direction of the specifications on their website but was just told there isn’t anything I could read but it’s their decision???
Surely this is a very backwards way of thinking especially as your getting another old diesel off the road, and as even running full EV you would still get penalised for going into/ through ULEZ zones.

[ingenieur]

Not worth agonising over as the jaws are closing in on the privileged EV class and their early adopter benefits. Tax is coming in 2025 and charges for electricity are increasing so if you are thinking you want to try and reclassify the diesel to save on tax and that sort of thing then don't worry about it.

I'm sure if you wanted to do the conversion and be able to use it afterwards that wouldn't be an issue. Just if you want to inherit the breaks you (currently) get from EV ownership it isn't worth thinking about.

[RobbyJ]

https://etowbars.com/uk/Towbars/Tesla-Towbars/Tesl...

You can totally tow light things with a Model 3, depends what you need to tow and how far I guess? 1000KG is the limit.

[Fuzzy69r]

RobbyJ said:

https://etowbars.com/uk/Towbars/Tesla-Towbars/Tesl...

You can totally tow light things with a Model 3, depends what you need to tow and how far I guess? 1000KG is the limit.

Not on a M3P I am afraid as it’s not type approved, yes you could physically fit one ( I only need it for my towbar bike rack, 26kg enduro emtb) but it’s a grey area, yes I could buy a LR+ but I don’t want one.
The closest ULEZ is aberdeen city centre then Dundee so it’s not a concern at the moment but as these zones grow eventually as I visit other trail centres I am bound to run into a ULEZ fine.

[Fuzzy69r]

ingenieur said:

Not worth agonising over as the jaws are closing in on the privileged EV class and their early adopter benefits. Tax is coming in 2025 and charges for electricity are increasing so if you are thinking you want to try and reclassify the diesel to save on tax and that sort of thing then don't worry about it.

I'm sure if you wanted to do the conversion and be able to use it afterwards that wouldn't be an issue. Just if you want to inherit the breaks you (currently) get from EV ownership it isn't worth thinking about.

The monetary benefits are not why I am thinking about it, more to get rid of that horrible stinky un-reliable VW engine ( bi-tdi that has a habit of eating engines ) and replace it with a silent power train with loads of torque.

[EVOTECH3BELL]

Fuzzy69r said:

ingenieur said:

Not worth agonising over as the jaws are closing in on the privileged EV class and their early adopter benefits. Tax is coming in 2025 and charges for electricity are increasing so if you are thinking you want to try and reclassify the diesel to save on tax and that sort of thing then don't worry about it.

I'm sure if you wanted to do the conversion and be able to use it afterwards that wouldn't be an issue. Just if you want to inherit the breaks you (currently) get from EV ownership it isn't worth thinking about.

The monetary benefits are not why I am thinking about it, more to get rid of that horrible stinky un-reliable VW engine ( bi-tdi that has a habit of eating engines ) and replace it with a silent power train with loads of torque.

Waste of time and money.

If you have owned a bi tdi and have not yet made it reliable with uprated "fix" parts then more fool you.

If you want a EV transporter go and buy an ABT one and enjoy a 50-70 mile range

[Fuzzy69r]

EVOTECH3BELL said:

Waste of time and money.

If you have owned a bi tdi and have not yet made it reliable with uprated "fix" parts then more fool you.

If you want a EV transporter go and buy an ABT one and enjoy a 50-70 mile range

Thanks for that oh so helpful insight and it’s nice to see this place still is the same as always, I haven’t yet bought the van just going through the potential stumbling blocks, I already fully aware of the ABT ones and their shocking range.

[RobbyJ]

Fuzzy69r said:

Not on a M3P I am afraid as it’s not type approved, yes you could physically fit one ( I only need it for my towbar bike rack, 26kg enduro emtb) but it’s a grey area, yes I could buy a LR+ but I don’t want one.
The closest ULEZ is aberdeen city centre then Dundee so it’s not a concern at the moment but as these zones grow eventually as I visit other trail centres I am bound to run into a ULEZ fine.

My Model S isn't type approved in the UK, it is in the US!? I still use mine to transport my similar e-bike on the back and also use it to launch my boat on private land.

Edited by RobbyJ on Thursday 20th July 20:06

[Evanivitch]

ingenieur said:

Not worth agonising over as the jaws are closing in on the privileged EV class and their early adopter benefits. Tax is coming in 2025 and charges for electricity are increasing so if you are thinking you want to try and reclassify the diesel to save on tax and that sort of thing then don't worry about it.

I'm sure if you wanted to do the conversion and be able to use it afterwards that wouldn't be an issue. Just if you want to inherit the breaks you (currently) get from EV ownership it isn't worth thinking about.

My electric home charging costs have decreased both peak and off peak since 1st July

[Evanivitch]

Fuzzy69r said:

So the thought of converting a T5.1 transporter has been on my mind for a while now especially in the advent of decently priced donor vehicles like the second gen Nissan leaf,

Second gen Leaf with the 62kWh battery?

I think if you're going to do this then your best bet is taking an eNV200 with a 40kWh and converting to a 62kWh (it's a Nissan Leaf powertrain anyway). It has been done in the UK, there's an example driving around.

These guys will also fit an additional battery.

https://www.muxsan.com/English/products.html

Unfortunately the Env200 is quite a small van and the towing limit is less than 500kg.

[Fuzzy69r]

Evanivitch said:

Second gen Leaf with the 62kWh battery?

I think if you're going to do this then your best bet is taking an eNV200 with a 40kWh and converting to a 62kWh (it's a Nissan Leaf powertrain anyway). It has been done in the UK, there's an example driving around.

These guys will also fit an additional battery.

https://www.muxsan.com/English/products.html

Unfortunately the Env200 is quite a small van and the towing limit is less than 500kg.

It was just a though that had been rattling about in my head in those boring night shifts offshore but for me the classification issue straight away is a non starter

[ingenieur]

Fuzzy69r said:

ingenieur said:

Not worth agonising over as the jaws are closing in on the privileged EV class and their early adopter benefits. Tax is coming in 2025 and charges for electricity are increasing so if you are thinking you want to try and reclassify the diesel to save on tax and that sort of thing then don't worry about it.

I'm sure if you wanted to do the conversion and be able to use it afterwards that wouldn't be an issue. Just if you want to inherit the breaks you (currently) get from EV ownership it isn't worth thinking about.

The monetary benefits are not why I am thinking about it, more to get rid of that horrible stinky un-reliable VW engine ( bi-tdi that has a habit of eating engines ) and replace it with a silent power train with loads of torque.

I'm almost certain the DVLA / DVSA / whatever would not prevent the use of the vehicle on the road after it had been inspected. In the custom car community it is normal to have to get the car inspected once the work has been done. You can build your own car out of nothing and drive it on the road in the UK if it has been inspected and passed.

So if that's all you're concerned about then go ahead and do it.

On the issue of exemptions from charging zones and things of that nature... I have personally enquired about this in relation to historic vehicles which aren't old enough and also vehicles which have had modern powertrain upgrades and the basic position is that they don't negotiate. If it is in the wrong emissions class or otherwise liable for charges they don't make exceptions.

[Fastdruid]

ingenieur said:

Fuzzy69r said:

ingenieur said:

Not worth agonising over as the jaws are closing in on the privileged EV class and their early adopter benefits. Tax is coming in 2025 and charges for electricity are increasing so if you are thinking you want to try and reclassify the diesel to save on tax and that sort of thing then don't worry about it.

I'm sure if you wanted to do the conversion and be able to use it afterwards that wouldn't be an issue. Just if you want to inherit the breaks you (currently) get from EV ownership it isn't worth thinking about.

The monetary benefits are not why I am thinking about it, more to get rid of that horrible stinky un-reliable VW engine ( bi-tdi that has a habit of eating engines ) and replace it with a silent power train with loads of torque.

I'm almost certain the DVLA / DVSA / whatever would not prevent the use of the vehicle on the road after it had been inspected. In the custom car community it is normal to have to get the car inspected once the work has been done. You can build your own car out of nothing and drive it on the road in the UK if it has been inspected and passed.

So if that's all you're concerned about then go ahead and do it.

and and once again.

While you're not *wrong* it's a minefield. Make a wrong step and it'll lose its registration, get a Q and require an IVA *AND* a ~£2k CEC 100.01 test of the electrical work. If you fail first time there is no cheaper rate either. Expect to spend ~£5-10k above and beyond the conversion cost.

[Evanivitch]

ingenieur said:

I'm almost certain the DVLA / DVSA / whatever would not prevent the use of the vehicle on the road after it had been inspected. In the custom car community it is normal to have to get the car inspected once the work has been done. You can build your own car out of nothing and drive it on the road in the UK if it has been inspected and passed.

There's some really big sink holes you can fall into if you don't know what you're doing modifying and existing vehicle.

Here's an example of it.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[ingenieur]

Sure, I accept both the points above, they're not contradicting my post at all. Perfectly valid additional points.

[arguti]

EVOTECH3BELL said:

Waste of time and money.

If you have owned a bi tdi and have not yet made it reliable with uprated "fix" parts then more fool you.

If you want a EV transporter go and buy an ABT one and enjoy a 50-70 mile range

Please can you point me in the direction of upgraded needed for bi turbo TDI - caravels owner here! Thanks