Volkswagen of America and electric vehicle conversion specialist EV West have fitted a VW Type 2 Bus with the powertrain from a 2017 e-Golf to assess whether vintage vehicles can be given a new lease of life using modern technology.
Vice president of Volkswagen North America Mathew Renna added, “Its passion for classic car culture and commitment to renewable energy made EV West the ideal choice for this project. We believe it is the perfect partner to test if the e-Golf powertrain would be the perfect fit for our older vehicles. It’s great to see that the spirit of hot rodding is going to live on into the electric age.”
The donor vehicle’s stock powertrain and 35.8kWh battery were fitted in the rear of the e-Bus where the old 60hp four-pot air-cooled engine used to sit. While much of the interior and exterior of the Type 2 remain unchanged, the batteries are stored under the front seats and in place of the old fuel tank. The dashboard features a classically styled EV gauge, while the stick shift now operates park, reverse, neutral, drive, and the vehicle’s regenerative braking modes. The modifications give the Type 2 a range of approximately 125 miles.
“We are very excited to be a part of this project. Merging an historic model from an iconic brand with the technology of today is one of many ways that we can step closer to a more sustainable future while continuing to enjoy our rich automotive heritage,” said Michael Bream, CEO of EV West.