Is a 1967 21 Window Volkswagen Bus the Perfect EV? | EV Show

In this episode we give you a tour through a 1967 VW Bus 21 window. This bus has a brand new battery setup using 6 Tesla Model S battery modules and a Hyper 9 high voltage motor. This entire ev conversion fits in the original engine bay. Check it out to see how we made it all work.

[@kevinmccarthy4743]

“Good as gold.” Now there’s a wonderful old Cornish expression.

[@phatpunxs64]

Clean build. EV West is one of the best for electric car conversions!

[@Carsnacksmark]

Currently in the process of doing this and a classic fiat 500. Using your kits. Can’t wait to get them finished. I’m hoping this will make me a new living that I enjoy doing.

[@gabriellundmark]

Subbed immediately when I read that

[@rstjx3j183]

Be sure to share the build with the rest of us :) good luck

[@Carsnacksmark]

@@rstjx3j183 they’re in my channel mate. I’ve had a break as I’m waiting on the kit from EV West to arrive and move into a new unit this week. As soon as I the kit comes through I’ll upload some new videos.

[@tony_25or6to4]

@@gabriellundmark ditto

[@Webcrawler45]

VERY NICE!!!! You guys do the best classic EV conversions. The quality and engineering keeps getting better and better with each build.

[@rcpmac]

Agreed but it appears they are only converting horizontal engine VWs... Kinda specialized

[@Michaelajacksonfilms]

HEAT IN A BUS!!! I am sold!!!

[@aaronsilverberg2137]

classy conversion, clean as a whistle and intelligently designed for safety and longevity. Wish I had a '33 Chord for you guys to do more magic!

[@patreekotime4578]

Awesome conversion, and thank yall for doing a full review of the finished vehicle! Very nice!

[@josephcottenii8463]

Makes me miss my ‘63; I bet you miss your camper. Great presentation, Mark! 👍

[@markcbrems]

Yes and no. Converting and driving the Creamsicle Adventurewagen allowed me the pleasure of reexperiencing my camper on electrons. It was a little uncanny. But I’m having too much personal fun with nimble little electric Porsches!

[@troyboy4345]

Beautiful build 💕👍

[@thesmokydig]

Dream build for most of us

[@Ryukachoo]

If the ID buzz doesn't have a 21 window tribute version I'm going to be upset

[@meadmaker4525]

If it ever gets here.

[@ed389]

I am a VW fan and have had many buses, they are loud, slow and smell like oil and gas, BUT THEY ARE SO COOL. This conversion is beautiful and looks very nice. This is not a daily driver so the range is okay for a nice cruise.

[@AngieMeadKing]

New fan here!

[@angusdenny4422]

Dreamy!! Really fantastic guys. Another beauty.

[@cjmassino]

This guy is my favorite presenter on the channel.

[@EVWest]

Mild-mannered Mark is a legend. Thank you!

[@markcbrems]

@@EVWest (Just tryna state the facts!)

[@RonGrosinger]

Nice!

[@gandhithewise359]

Oh hey... that's in Cardiff by the Sea heading to Solana Beach... my hood!

[@Riley_1955]

Great video EV.....I myself have a 2014 Jeep Patriot 2.4L 6sp auto-stick 4x4 that I absolutely love and I am currently waiting for the battery tech coupled with a lot better charging times and miles to charge to get me a 100% electric vehicle.... I'm hoping in the next 5 to 8 years the tech will really develop....But after watching video's like yours in the next 5 to 8 years instead of buying a $30,000 dollar electric vehicle and trading in my Jeep it might be more feasible if companies like yours would convert my Jeep with the new tech for say around $15,000 or less.....I would do that in a heart beat.

[@TonyGrant.]

I love what you with these old classics - especially the Kombis. I have had 4 Kombis and a Type 3 over the past few decades. I still have one but it's been on blocks for the last 15 years or so. I have a few motors for it which I have intended to do up eventually but now I'm thinking of going electric. Although for me 32kw of batteries, which I assume would give you about 160km of range, is no where big enough. Have you considered putting more batteries, between the frame members, under the floor? There is quite a bit or room there.

[@MrMarkusmulder]

Drooling yep 😋

[@badger_claws]

Awesome build. An EV West logo designed hydro dip film might also be cool for some of your platework \ panels in the engine bay etc? Just to tie it all together 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@EVWest]

Thanks for the tip. We'll look into it.

[@coworkerspodcast391]

Great video. I especially loved the end . Thanks!

[@markcbrems]

Ahhhhhhhh..... 🌞🕶

[@DigitalDissident]

I have a BMW E82 135i LCI N55 & I have an E82 120i which handles like a go kart. BMW made pre production EV versions of them that never made it into production from about 2008-2013. I think this little two door coupe is a great chassis for an EV swap & I'd like mine done if I could afford it. There are very few EV coupes on the market.

[@toolma66]

Oh, now I want one so badly, but there's two big problems; #1: I live in Sweden, and #2: I wouldn't be able to afford it 😅

[@tony_25or6to4]

If #2 wasn't a problem, #1 wouldn't either.

[@toolma66]

@@tony_25or6to4 True, just a little bit inconvenient, since I wouldn't be able to drive it home myself 😉 But, as you're probably going to argue, if I had that kind of money, I'd probably not be driving it home myself... 😁

[@tony_25or6to4]

@@toolma66 I shouldn't have to argue that you can't drive across the ocean. If you had the money, you'd just have it shipped. How do you think all of those old Cadillacs made it to Sweden? 😉

[@patrickmuse4911]

Awesome! What’s a ballpark figure for EV West to do a conversion like that?

[@Pushyhog]

top 3 favorite channels!

[@EVWest]

Thank you, we appreciate your support.

[@rstjx3j183]

Love it! Everything about it! How can I get involved with you and Jehu? So you have anything here in the UK, or vision of expanding your service offering? Imagine a base here, with your technology, your training. This electric era with a blend of classic, what is there not to like? I have had older cars with more modern technology, and it’s always great to interact with other enthusiasts, and even to the point when been out cruising or a meet, the public recognising your vehicle from a magazine shoot. I feel I have fallen behind with technology and am. You tube, electric vehicle or other electric powered vehicle virgin. I am an 80’s kid in the 21st century and want to remain current (pun intended) I wish you all well in your endeavours.

[@shortwing]

Nicely done!!

[@alexmckenna1171]

Shame the Buzz doesn't look quite a good as this Beaut!

[@alfonsoalsina3604]

Beautiful.. How much range?

[@EVWest]

This build has about 30kWh of energy, so typically in a Bus that is good for 80-100 miles of range.

[@JohnHughes2002]

Nice car.

[@HandyDan]

You guys are awesome! I love the fact your channel came back and see so much potential. I have one question regarding motor voltage, why is the aftermarket not up to 390Volts like OEM? Is it a liability factor?

[@EVWest]

There are plenty of aftermarket 400V solutions, but they are more expensive than re-purposed 400V products from platforms like a used Tesla, so we don't see as many of these on the market, but they exist, just a bit more expensive. Also, when integrating to a vintage vehicle, the drivetrain can not handle much power, so the smaller lower voltage motors are a perfect fit, and are affordable.

[@HandyDan]

@@EVWest Thank you, just from an electrical point of view higher voltage uses less current and less loss of heat so it's more efficient, not more powerful unless you make it more powerful with more amps. I do understand the extra cost so I see your market points.

[@EVWest]

@@HandyDan This is absolutely true, and the reason why we prefer higher voltage motors, but in cases like this, the vintage vehicle is a little more important to protect, we use a system that more easily integrates with the factory components, in lieu of a couple extra miles of range from increased efficiency. It is a trade off that is common in EV component selection.

[@DONALDMORSE02562]

Thanks. Please keep them coming. I am getting you new viewers. I also follow Jehu.

[@snake_eyes_garage]

It would be cool if there was an option to automatically disable the regen when the battery bank was at a specific charge level. I think for others considering this, the IRS conversion makes the most sense as it also lowers the bus. I've been considering a swap for my 65 21-window but as someone pointed out here the range is a killer in Texas. Though a second battery could be added under the rear seat. The suspension is plenty stout for the weight. Just put your passengers in the middle seat. My bus would be gone if I left it somewhere (other than in a locked garage) to charge for 9 hours.

[@EVWest]

You can switch the region level on the fly with the NetGain Hyper9 system, just depends on how you want to program it, so it's extremely flexible.

[@EnlightenedSavage]

Yes

[@kirbycollins3223]

I Personally Visited the EV West Shop, I'm Saving Up for What they Quoted me!$$

[@whitneylake2107]

I really hope that EV West can help me convert my 1987 4WD Toyota van someday. It would be awesome. Thank you

[@Rick-N-Something]

And you have all the gears in forward and reverse .....I dont know if it's useful but it's damn sure cool

[@teodelfuego]

I wish I had that VW

[@cpF01]

Beautiful👏👏

[@1mc568]

I have a Love, Hate, Envy, Jealousy relationship with your channel, lol.

[@robcerrato6528]

What is the biggest mile range EV west has gotten out of a VW Bus so far?

[@ajgalosmo8510]

How long does it take to charge this?

[@markyormark7747]

Darn, I was hoping this Type 2 was going to be the small TESLA Model S motor/drive that you have a kit for.

[@EVWest]

Coming soon.

[@vladimyrjoehuelgas5058]

Hope I can see you guys convert a Toyota lite Ace Minivan to electric.

[@mcneill64]

Sweet!

[@mikejf4377]

Awesome build and great video. Are you installing the batteries where the gas tank was? What company are you using to building your transaxle?

[@EVWest]

Part of the gas tank location, and into the upper engine bay, all locations that were freed up with the engine removal. We use Paradise Motorsports in San Marcos to rebuild our 2 speed transaxles.

[@New777World]

whats a conversión like this cost? assuming you got the bus to do the install

[@diegomanuelmarasonna4804]

Hola muy impresionante todo esto de la converción de gasolina a electrico lo estoy considerando yo tengo una astro ext van 1993 automatica se puede hacer la conversión a 100% eléctrica yo vivo en texas y por último de cuanto seria el presupuesto para la conversión

[@ruggedplus]

Very neat setup! How were you able to fit a 6 pack in such a small space? What's your battery box size?

[@cybertrk]

We all gotta know a price breakdown!

[@EVWest]

Typically the parts for a build like this will run around $20k.

[@somenygaard]

This must be well over 100k. How much did just the conversion run?

[@joeymcguire5886]

I'm sure the restoration was waaaay more than the EV conversion costs. That body is near perfect.

[@EVWest]

The parts run $20-25k and the labor typically runs around $20k.

[@donelmore2540]

Did you ever sell this van or is it still in your inventory?

[@bryanbigler3339]

How many miles on a charge?

[@ralphplazachesmarhomes]

How many miles you get??

[@vicebi]

I love her, I love her :)

[@tengmad4373]

How much for a build like this?

[@DigitalDissident]

Could you do a modern day EV swap of the BMW E82 chassis, it was called the *ActiveE*

[@rcpmac]

it appears they are only converting horizontal engine VWs... Kinda specialized

[@EVWest]

We don't do late model vehicles, but the Active E was great. Bummer BMW dismantled all of them.

[@dylanevans5644]

Hey guys, I'm considering an electric conversion for my own T2. I know that the "how much range" question is a case of which batteries and how many. But in a best case scenario, with Tesla packs, fitted under the carriage and perhaps under a seat or covering the floor and/or in an engine bay... What would be the maximum theoretical range attainable?

[@plonk7]

Hey Dylan, check out the latest split bus conversion video they've put up. They're suggesting 100 mile range on that one with batteries only in engine bay. If you put another pack like that under the rock 'n' roll bed/seat that's 200 miles.

[@peterday3253]

Does the reverse switch limit power output so a careless driver doesn't haul ass backwards?

[@EVWest]

You can create your own throttle map for reverse, so yes you can do this.

[@pandainnontario2974]

How much will be the conversion cost?

[@nickjordan5740]

How much for one ?

[@fromthebeginningofvankind28]

On average how much does a conversion to ev cost for a vehicle?

[@creightonfreeman8059]

How can that deliver 120 hp? Last time I checked 144 Volts x 250 Amps = 36 kw which is about 48 hp.

[@EVWest]

The ACX1 inverter has a 500A peak output, with voltage up to 185. 38kW continuous, 88kW peak.

[@creightonfreeman8059]

@@EVWest I see. The label on the motor is a nominal rating but the controller, oops, inverter is really a 500A model. How much can you over-volt those brushless motors?

[@granadakimj]

What is the price for something like this?

[@donovandelaney3171]

Why not turn the EV engine into a Fiber-Optic EV engine? That way you won't need coolant.

[@Pushyhog]

l just wsnta sleep in it at the beach couple nights. Then drive to kearney mesa and show my friends l bought it.

[@omarparedesp8906]

Here in Chile conversion of vehicles to electric is kind of prohibited.. this since results "would not be good". Said in advance by Ministry of Transportation..

[@deltacx1059]

I want to convert a fiero

[@Chris-from-AZ]

I want to see the drive train

[@ro63rto]

Nope, now a 23 window......THAT would be the perfect EV. 😜

[@JD-hh9io]

60 hp going on 40

[@conantdog]

No but probably the most expensive car to modify. 😂 Value wise .

[@niacal4nia]

So his EVs are more expensive than a Tesla model 3, less range, and less safe.

[@New777World]

plus you still need the donor vehicle! 45k just for the conversion! ouch! cyber truck will start just about 40k. the conversion just make no logical sense with that kind of money spent!

[@rcpmac]

This is possibly the only vehicle that will lose value by doing an EV conversion. "January 21, 2017, (a) 21-window Volkswagen Samba sold for $302,500, becoming the most valuable Volkswagen Samba van ever sold at auction"

[@EVWest]

With our 'bolt in' kits that are reversible, they do not affect resale value, as the components can be removed and replaced with original equipment, much like a tire and wheel change. The goal is to not alter the classic car in anyway that is not reversible, therefore not affecting resale value. It's important to save the car first! :)

[@ed389]

That bus was a movie car and the buyer way over spent on it. Not worth anywhere close to that.

[@airbear9445]

Where the woman in the bikini?

[@Turk380]

VW Trends circa 1998

[@markcbrems]

They tried, but I wouldn’t do it. I’m still working on my summer figure.

[@bubbs1881]

I am a huge classic car enthusiast and I never would ever change the motor in a classic car. The engine adds value to the vehicle and to strip the engine and switch it to an electric motor is like taking protein out of your meal. You need protein just like a classic car needs the gas engine. And people say gas engines will disappear no they won't. America was built on gas. And if we switch every motor to electric a car wouldn't be a hot rod. A car wouldn't have a rumble. That is what people want and like. They love how you can add modifications. But to change something entirely is not good. People won't modify them. People will get tired of racing. And it will vanish because every car has the same motor. Elon musk even said changing every car to electric is a bad idea because the US electric grid can't handle it. It is taking something that america was built on away, and making it bland.

[@New777World]

you bring valid point but for some what is the objective purpose for the classic car. to keep it in original condition and not drive it? want a classic look with dependable drive ability and not experience the most comon breakdown? or the purpose is to keep its organic look and use as daily driver while still enjoying it? this electric conversion is crazy money spent but i dont like the cc engine problems looking for a medium more middle ground solution!

[@marcusbrown1767]

It's no longer vintage. Very sad.

[@ICP1SBJ]

it still looks vintage and unlike the vintage top speed of 60 MPH (on a perfect day and 5 miles to get here), this bus can do 80+.