The Volkswagen Type 2 van from 1972 is reborn with an electric motor

The classic models from the major brands are going through the workshop to become a completely new model, with an electric powertrain. Many people believe a classic stops being a classic if its engine is changed and the combustion engine is replaced by a battery pack and an electric motor. Even so, the spirit of classic models lives on, as shown by the van Volkswagen Type 2 Bus of 1972 that the brand has reworked.

This van is designed so that you can keep enjoying one of the brand’s most iconic models while also driving a vehicle fully adapted to electric mobility. To do this, Volkswagen has removed the combustion engine, located at the rear of the van, and replaced it with everything needed to run it on an electric motor.

136 CV electric motor

The order to convert this vehicle to an electric powertrain came from the brand, but the conversion work was carried out by the specialist company EV West. They removed the four-cylinder engine producing 60 CV and fitted the electric motor, the single-speed transmission and the battery charging system.

To address the possible problems caused by this added weight, an independent rear suspension system has been fitted to reinforce this end of the vehicle. To give this classic vehicle its electric powertrain, the one also used in the Volkswagen e-Golf from 2017 was chosen.

This means it uses a 100 kW motor, the equivalent of 136 CV, powered by a pack of 34.8 kWh batteries. The battery is located under the front seats, in a space designed to store it properly, right where the fuel tank used to be.

To maintain the classic style, the cabin features instrumentation with a classic design, yet it includes everything needed to monitor the charging of an electric vehicle. On the outside, the bodywork comes in two classic colours, Kansas Beige and Pastel White, so the look is exactly what one expects from a classic vehicle.

The range of the Volkswagen Type 2 Bus is 200 kilometres on a single charge, making it an excellent choice for going from the city to the beach or the mountains with the peace of mind of driving a zero-emissions electric vehicle.