Convert an SVG to grayscale in python

Scenario

I'm trying to convert a colored example.svg file into a grayscaled example_gs.svg in python 3.6 in Anaconda 4.8.3 on a Windows 10 device.

Attempts

First I tried to apply a regex to convert the 'rgb(xxx,yyy,zzz)' to black, but that created a black rectangle losing the image in the process. Next I installed inkscape and ran a grayscale command which appeared to be working but did not modify the example.svg. The third attempt with pillow Image did not load the .svg.

MWE

# conda install -c conda-forge inkscape
# https://www.commandlinefu.com/commands/view/2009/convert-a-svg-file-to-grayscale
# inkscape -f file.svg --verb=org.inkscape.color.grayscale --verb=FileSave --verb=FileClose
import re
import os
import fileinput
from PIL import Image
import cv2

# Doesn't work, creates a black square. Perhaps set a threshold to not convert rgb white/bright colors
def convert_svg_to_grayscale(filepath):
    # Read in the file
    with open(filepath, 'r') as file :
      filedata = file.read()

    # Replace the target string
    filedata = re.sub(r'rgb\(.*\)', 'black', filedata)

    # Write the file out again
    with open(filepath, 'w') as file:
      file.write(filedata)
    
# opens inkscape, converts to grayscale but does not actually export to the output file again
def convert_svg_to_grayscale_inkscape(filepath):
   command = f'inkscape -f {filepath} --verb=org.inkscape.color.grayscale --verb=FileSave --verb=FileClose'
   os.system(f'cmd /k {command}')
   
# Pillow Image is not able to import .svg files
def grayscale(filepath):
    image = Image.open(filepath)
    cv2.imwrite(f'{filepath}', image.convert('L'))


# walks through png files and calls function to convert the png file to .svg
def main():
    filepath = 'example.svg'            
    convert_svg_to_grayscale_inkscape(filepath)
    convert_svg_to_grayscale(filepath)
    grayscale(filepath)
                

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

Question

How could I change a colored .svg file into a grayscaled image in python 3.6 on a windows device?