Portugal approves Vehicle Transformation Regulation for electric conversions

The Government has approved, in the Council of Ministers, a decree-law establishing a new Vehicle Transformation Regulation as part of the “Mobility 2.0” package. The legislation is intended to replace the maze of technical circulars with a clear legal framework for altering motor vehicles and trailers without undermining road safety or environmental protection.

Among the new measures is the option to replace combustion engines with electric systems. Until now, this had been almost impossible in practice, and the Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, says the change will bring “speed and transparency” to such modifications.

What changes under the new regulation

With the Vehicle Transformation Regulation, Portugal will have a single legal framework setting out which modifications are allowed and the conditions that must be met to safeguard safety and the environment.

The decree-law replaces hundreds of circulars and streamlines the approval process for conversions such as ambulances, motorhomes and emergency vehicles.

The newly approved legislation also makes procedures simpler and removes the Institute for Mobility and Transport’s (IMT) direct responsibility for inspections. These will instead be carried out by periodic vehicle inspection centres, which are expected to inspect around 20,000 vehicles each year.

In short, anyone wishing to convert a combustion-engined car into an electric vehicle in Portugal will now have a simpler, quicker and less bureaucratic route. That is the aim of Miguel Pinto Luz’s ministry.

A new business opportunity

Legalising the conversion of combustion engines to electric power opens the door to new businesses in Portugal. In several countries, workshops and companies specialising in converting older vehicles - particularly classics - into electric vehicles have emerged.

There is no shortage of examples, especially in countries where procedures are less time-consuming and bureaucratic. The United Kingdom is one such case. British company Fellten, for instance, already sells ready-to-fit conversion kits.

In Portugal, some businesses have also started taking their first steps. Vintage Vans, based in Seixal and previously specialising in air-cooled Volkswagen and Porsche engines, has already electrified a Volkswagen “Bread Loaf” van. According to the company’s owner, António Velez, the reversible conversion has given this German classic a range of 150 km and improved performance.

A phenomenon that divides opinion

Despite the enthusiasm of many owners, converting classic vehicles to electric power remains controversial. For some purists, removing the original engine undermines the essence of a historic vehicle. For others, it offers a more practical, predictable and reliable way to enjoy a classic vehicle.

The debate is not new. The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA), which oversees the preservation of historic automobiles, considers that converting a classic removes its status as a historic vehicle. It recommends that, where electrification is carried out, all original components should be retained so that the modification can be reversed.

It also raises questions about the environmental benefits, noting that battery manufacturing and recycling involve energy and environmental costs. FIVA points out that a historic vehicle must be more than 30 years old and maintained in historically correct condition. In Portugal, certification for vehicles of historic interest is handled by ACP - Automobile Club of Portugal, the Caramulo Museum and CPAA - Portuguese Antique Automobile Club.