few years ago, there was a lot of buzz going on about classic muscle cars being powered by electric motors as the next big thing. Now, I’m not against using alternative energy for our commuter cars, but when it comes to converting a vintage Chevy into an EV, I’m not on board. With all due respect to those taking the initiative to put their talent and engineering knowledge to good use and keeping the planet’s health in consideration, an electric motor swap for a burly big-block or powerful LS is not the answer.

There are several reasons why electric motors will not appeal to the muscle car folks. For starters, vintage muscle cars are iconic symbols of raw power, classic style, and superior performance, all of which ensure these cars retain their iconic and cultural significance.

Truth be told, classic muscle cars were built for the thrill of speed and performance. The sound and smell emitted by the tailpipes or open headers of these cars wake up the senses and are essential factors in what draws us in. Those elements take us veteran enthusiasts to a time and place from the past while also offering a promising future for our classic muscle cars to shine—physically and metaphorically.

The sheer aggressive nature of our internal-combustion engines represents a longstanding hot-rodding culture that allows owners to customize their ride to reflect their own personality and arm their car with a healthy small-block, big-block, LS, or LT engine which, thanks to the aftermarket, can reach horsepower heights limited only by the size of one’s wallet.

I understand the reality that electric motors offer surprising amounts of neck-snapping torque, but it comes at the lofty price of silence. And that lack of noise certainly befuddles just about every hot rod enthusiast who loves, eats, and breathes the sweet sound of a V-8 engine screaming for mercy in the upper-rpm range. Each car’s identity comes from a particular engine with a desired cam, along with a number of exhaust combinations designed to create a sound unique to each person’s specifications. Some want a loud, aggressive note announcing the car’s approach well before arriving to its destination, whereas others prefer a more subdued tone that fits their car’s lowkey personality. With an electric motor–powered hot rod those familiar elements are non-existent.

The way I see it, in an attempt to catch on with the muscle car society, electric-powered hot rods are facing a blown fuse. Could electric motors gain traction and be found under the hoods of our celebrated street machines some day? No one knows, but today we prefer our muscle cars to be louder, more powerful, and faster than ever before. It’s just how we’re wired. No pun intended.

You in?