There is something particularly alluring about an old transportation having an up-to-date drivetrain. Don’t you think? If you are on the same page as us, then we bet you will dig this electrified 1972 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus.
While the 1972 Volkswagen Type 2 Bus with electric drivetrain is real, it is not something that money can buy. It is more of VW flexing its electric drive technology – specifically the e-Golf powertrain.
The Volkswagen x EV West Electric Type 2 Bus was materialized with the help of west coast electric vehicle conversion specialist EV West. What used to be an air-cooled 60 HP 4-pod motor is now a “professionally harvested stock powertrain” paired to a 35.8 kWh battery system.
Both the drive and the battery system came from a donor 2017 e-Golf. The battery system is located where the fuel tank used to be, in custom engineered, reinforced and fireproof enclosures, under the front seats.
This setup affords the e-Bus a range of around 125 miles (201 kilometers). Obviously not the most ideal range, but hey, it is a classic Volkswagen Bus with electric drive. That alone is just about as cool as it can get.
“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.”
Other than the drivetrain, the bus remain largely stock which is cool and also the reason why we are digging it in the first place.
Speaking of stock… the gear shift, though redundant, was retained and serve another purpose. It is now use for putting the vehicle into park, reverse, neutral, drive, and the regenerative braking modes (PRNDB).
Volkswagen x EV West Electric Type 2 Bus was part of a rooftop display at the Petersen Automotive Museum in LA last Thursday (November 21, 2019) during the Volkswagen of America’s 4th Annual Drive-In Movie event.
Volkswagen x EV West Electric Type 2 Bus is not the first electric VW bus, but it is certainly one that stays true to the original form.
All images courtesy of Volkswagen of America, Inc..