Legislation, legislation, legislation.

Ok I've discussed this project idea with my lovely wife and she has agreed that I can convert the family VN Commodore to an EV on condition that we get another car first.

I've been trying to find out what legislation I need to be aware of before embarking on my project of converting an existing ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle to an EV. A lot of convertors seem to quote from the NCOP or National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification particularly the bulletin NCOP14 Guidelines Electric Drive 3 Feb 2006.

A key paragraph on that site is this:

"Prospective constructors or modifiers should contact the jurisdiction in which a vehicle is to be registered or modified to determine the most up to date information about the business rules or transitional arrangements that may be in force".

So for me in Adelaide, South Australia, that means contacting a local Vehicle Inspection Office from the Department of Transport.

Vehicle Inspection Office
Kateena Street
Regency Park 5010
Telephone 1300 882 247

The staff were very helpful with my questions about conversion and offered to send me out a free copy of the South Australian requirements for "Electric Vehicle Conversion".