HomeMediaVW displays yet another electrified Type 2 bus

VW displays yet another electrified Type 2 bus

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Volkswagen not only is electrifying its future cars, but it is showcasing its modular electrical system in a growing fleet of vintage vehicles. It recent displayed yet another vintage Type 2 bus at a rooftop event at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

The 1972 Type 2 Bus was done to show the potential of the e-Golf powertrain in petrol-powered classics.

Electric motor system fits in the standard engine compartment

“The professionally harvested stock powertrain and 35.8 kWh battery system from the donor 2017 e-Golf gives the e-Bus an approximate range of 125 miles,” Volkswagen of America said in a news release.  

“The powertrain (resides) in the rear compartment of the e-Bus, which was previously occupied by the stock air-cooled 60-horsepower four-cylinder engine.  The independent rear suspension of the Type 2 Bay Window makes a perfect mate to the transverse driveline which is contained in a single unit that houses the 100kW synchronous AC permanent magnet electric motor, one-speed transmission and charging system.

Updated but familiar interior

“Most of the other exterior and interior features of the e-Bus remain, mostly unchanged. The battery units are contained inside custom engineered, reinforced and fireproof enclosures located under the front seats and in the former location of the fuel tank. 

“The stock long-throw shifter remains but now actuates park, reverse, neutral, drive, and the regenerative braking modes (PRNDB) that are all familiar aspects of the e-Golf. 

“To further maintain its authentic feel, the e-Bus (is) fitted with a classically styled multi-function digital EV gauge in the dashboard.  This gauge allows the operator to cycle through multiple views and monitor vehicle outputs.”    

The conversion of the Kansas beige and pastel white van was handled by EV West.

Plug-in to recharge

“Their passion for classic-car culture and commitment to renewable energy made EV West the ideal choice for this project,” said Mathew Renna, vice president of the Volkswagen North American Region. “We thought, who better to see 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.”

“Merging a historic model from an iconic brand with the technology of today is just 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, founder and chief executive of EV West.

Here are links to some of our previous stories about electrified VWs:

Will electric powertrains save the manual gearbox?

VW, Nike revive history with a new Blue Ribbon sports van

Inaugural Mille Miglia Green is this weekend

Reviving auto show class for the electric vehicle era one vintage VW at a time

Electric energy sparks new life into vintage Beetles

VW rolls out new California 61 camper van

Larry Edsall
Larry Edsall
A former daily newspaper sports editor, Larry Edsall spent a dozen years as an editor at AutoWeek magazine before making the transition to writing for the web and becoming the author of more than 15 automotive books. In addition to being founding editor at ClassicCars.com, Larry has written for The New York Times and The Detroit News and was an adjunct honors professor at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

3 COMMENTS

  1. This is beyond cool.
    I want a dropped Cal-look ’70 Beetle with e-Golf oomph, and a smooth rear apron to demonstrate "Hey- no exhaust!".
    Santa? You there? Hello?

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