The ultimate electric camper

It's finally time to show you the electric VW T3 Syncro in action.
In this episode we take it up into the hills of Wales to a wind farm and take it through it's paces to check out it's off road capabilities. We also pick a spot for breakfast and Tim shows off his cooking skills. This VW Camper has all the bells and whistles on it, from solar panels, CCS charging, V2L, A/C as well as full camping interior and upgraded suspension. Is this the ultimate electric camper? Should Volkswagen themselves build something like this off road 4x4 camper?
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[@bnrynlds]

I've never wanted one of your builds as much as this one.

[@leehoward6779]

100%

[@spudproductions7606]

Understandable. 👍👍

[@ggrthemostgodless8713]

agree... very extremely useful, not just for camping.

[@ggrthemostgodless8713]

@@bnrynlds What do you mean "Why?"... isn't it obvious?? it can be used for many things, in almost any place, even parked in front or back of your home it has many uses... so why do you ask "Why".... or did I misunderstand your question??

[@NigelMarston]

100% agree. Such a brilliant machine. I would be out in it every weekend with the dog, on adventures.

[@garyd8464]

Really pleased to see that my old bus is starting a new phase of it's life. I buy Dale's electricity and he's bought my bus - seems a fair exchange!

[@ElectricClassicCars]

It’s a great bus. You did some great upgrades on it. 👍

[@garyd8464]

I can't take any credit for that. It was a bog standard, 2.1 WBX, Caravelle bus when I had it.

[@marsrover001]

I can't even guess how much this one cost to de-rust and convert. It's got every single feature you could possibly fit inside.

[@gordonmackenzie4512]

It’s one of those, where if you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it 😉

[@georgepelton5645]

Yes, this is the ultimate camper! Capable in every way, and quite handsome looking as well. This must have been a complicated build, but ECC has done a fantastic job. I am so glad they documented it in this video for everyone to watch.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Our pleasure!

[@wobby1516]

My Hymer Exis I 504. Happy to let you have it as a prototype!!! 😊

[@ChrisBigBad]

Geil! What a mega flex right in the first few seconds: silently gliding over the camera through the greens!

[@locknut5382]

That green is the perfect colour in that environment. It also sends out the right signals from an ecological viewpoint. You've turned a noisy, smelly, gas guzzler into a pretty good off-road vehicle which can be used on vacations. It's just a bit heavy on battery consumption, but unsurprising with those tyres. Thanks guys. 🙂👍

[@cinciabigia]

This one I want so much! I had a 1980 Type 25 just like this and it gave me some of the most enjoyable driving ever...

[@simonthompson9380]

This is a great looking camper with everything you could want. Shows a real future (bodywork dependant) for some classic vehicles !

[@mikejf4377]

I’ve always liked the Sncro VW.

[@cooldudescooter]

Vegan bacon!! Respect!!! Love the colour.

[@xoloitsquintli]

I just moved to the UK from the US and I had an AWD Safari van with those same tires. That thing could go everywhere! I always wanted to do an electric conversion on it but never got the chance. Seeing this is the next best thing.

[@SundryTalesOfConstance79WESTY]

Nooice! When my 1979 Westy's engine finally gives up I want to convert to electric. Love the Synchro and location! Great video!! 😎 STOC

[@user-qq7td8vr8u]

Just been in Iceland driving a 4x4 California which was great, but what you have built here is perfect. Well done with the induction hob V2L, etc. those details are a game changer for camper-vans.

[@wesley_brown]

I'm so glad I found this channel! You guys always make interesting builds and have a great sense of humor on and off camera. All around a great production and will be continuing to follow your channel as long as you guys post. I have a '69 transporter I've been considering an EV conversion on and this video gave me lots of good inspiration. Cheers!

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks for your kind words. Glad you like the channel. 👍👍😀

[@xxwookey]

Wow - someone finally made a van (almost) right, by using the big battery for the internal kit, not adding a second one. But then he spoiled it by not connecting the PV to the main battery. Yes, you won't get any/many miles, but you will keep the hob/fridge gadgets running. (Pretty sure you could have got 3 panels on there Richard for 33% more 'parking regen'!) Decent sized battery pack too, which is what's needed to make a vehicle like this useful.

[@nikoulph]

I wonder if an extensible solar roof for the side of the van, would suffice to recharge partially the batteries

[@TestSpaceMonkey]

@@nikoulph Had a similar thought. I was kind of hoping the awning was made of a roll of flexible solar panels (which to be fair may not be a thing that exists). Still an amazing vehicle.

[@nikoulph]

@@TestSpaceMonkey rollable solar panels do exist! :)

[@nikoulph]

Definitely they do exist :) Anyway it's a good idea, maybe in the near future we will get autonomous vehicles really running on free energy.

[@alanhat5252]

There is someone currently travelling the Pan-American Highway in a self-converted campervan, it has full-length slide-out solar panels on both sides plus the full roof & some extras to lay on the ground but still frequently has to stop 2 or 3 days with all the electrics switched off to get some charge back in it. It's like the 1920s journeys with petrol cars - yes it can be done but it's really not sensible. We need solar panels that are much _much_ better than 22% efficient for this to work to consumer standards.

[@atomicsmith]

Love the vehicle! Might need a skid plate over the motor but overall excellent!

[@blazejnycz1]

Back to the 80's👌👍😎

[@Hybridog]

Perfection. BTW my grandmother had an Elna sewing machine from the 50s that was that same color. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[@marc0523]

I know the maths doesn't make sense, but I love the idea of the solar panels charging the main battery. Also good if you use the main battery to heat the camper overnight, and have it recharge over the day while you are down on the beach etc.

[@stockfinster374]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZyxe2endtyJosU they managed it plus a fantastic journey

[@user-eu1ih2cm4w]

Solar panel in that case need 8 pc or even more.!!!

[@xc43t]

I saw a video about UAZ 2206 and instantly thought how great it would be if gutted and converted to electricity.

[@EdWelch100]

Great build again guys. Nice bus. Waiting for the update on the Jensen!!!

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks. Coming soon 👍😀

[@AndrejGobec]

Very, very cool!! I wouldn't just camp with it, I would daily it

[@F74D3N8r0T]

Mate this is mindblowing! Absolutely brilliant! Great work!

[@RiffleVFXportfolio]

Looks like it started out, as they say, "good from far, and far from good." Looks great now, love the color too!

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Love that saying. I’m gonna have to start using that. 👍

[@kingearl2596]

Did you know: All T3 Synchro were built in Austria and not in Germany.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Interesting, I didn’t know that. I love facts like that. 😎👍

[@kingearl2596]

Maybe this is the reason why the most normal T3 are rusted away and many synchros are still on the roads :-)@@ElectricClassicCars

[@youxkio]

Great results Richard. Thank you for uploading this pearl

[@spudproductions7606]

👍👍

[@vidibites]

Great build. I can’t wait to see something like this on a more modern camper that’s affordable.

[@otaku0698]

I believe EV like what you built are made for nature. Won't disturb the animals or anyone. Battery pack with solar is amazing.

[@carholic-sz3qv]

Just like ICE doesn't disturb the nature too! All/most camper nowadays runs on electricity and solar!

[@stephencrowther524]

@user-sh6bl8vw3q Tell that to nature where all the oil is extracted,refined,transported and burned in an 30% efficient ic engine. Ev’s are not perfect,but are less polluting overall.

[@proinseasokiellig4388]

@user-sh6bl8vw3q tell that to all the countries pillaged for oil..

[@jonathanlobe2828]

This is insane and makes me want one even more then before. Thanks a lot for this video!

[@jorowi]

Great build!

[@gregoryflinn3577]

The colour is fab!

[@ScenesThroughTravels]

I want this in my life so much , I love the Colour and all it's modern tech and It's the perfect vehicle. That customer is very lucky indeed . You have done a great Job restoring it 👍👍💯💯

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍👍

[@martimcstone]

great work and I absolutely adore the color!

[@dmain6735]

Dream camper. One day - higher performance Na ion batteries maybe? Awesome build.

[@dawnthatcher1412]

I absolutely love this camper! I have a T25 which needs tlc i will start saving now to hopefully convert her in the future... What a project to work too.

[@davincisghost9228]

Love the ruff Dale...😁

[@richardsmith5249]

"a bit rusty..." Heh. Yeah, they all do that, sir. An interesting alternative to brown sauce on your sarnie is a bit of mustard. Sounds random, but it's actually pretty good.

[@spudproductions7606]

I’ll try that. 👍👍😀

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Love them as many do but the old tin worm loves old VW vans and buses more..😉👍🏼😎 they built in the fiddly rust traps. Agreed on the crew cab version with a camper pod for the back and lots of solar.

[@joshuared1000]

You did it again!!! Great work!!!

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@person-yu8cu]

There are a million people in canada who would love one of those.

[@dennishelfrich]

You build my dream car! I had the same idea 15 years ago! Awesome, great job!

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Cool, thanks

[@65undies]

That’s awesome, I have a Syncro and only today I was thinking about electric and the decline of petrol & diesel, great job in preserving the future!

[@uwekatolla8988]

Love it sooo much. Great work of a great man.

[@HansKeesom]

This is what the ID BUZZ should have been, dang what a car.

[@spare9434]

If I win the lottery, this would be my dream replacement for my current van❤

[@user-sw6yn1im9t]

What a brill conversion had VW most of my life and this is just brilliant mate.

[@sambarker1245]

Love this build so much - dream van. Great episode!

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍👍

[@jossentjens7154]

Another good one! Thanks. Can I do a suggestion? A crib sheet, one A4 of the design specs per build, to keep with the car/van/etc? I appreciate that, given the amount of build you do and time it takes, that the specs/numbers become muddled. If you have a crib sheet, Moggy may have a glace and go less from memory ... "I think"... Anyway, just a tip.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Great suggestion!

[@zapfanzapfan]

Nice suspension set up, good ground clearance without needing portal axles. No diff sticking down ruining the ground clearance 🙂

[@rogerwilliams7234]

Dale Vince Huh! Well done! Lovely build and a great result. love it.

[@xxwookey]

He's well-off enough to afford this restoration and conversion. It won't have been cheap, even by camper/CEC standards!

[@caiopeluso]

incrireble man! I hope some day i'll turn my 110 hcpu with you guys! tnks for sharing!

[@zakm0n]

I don't think there is a single thing I'd change on this other than making it LHD for the states. I have a 81 westy in my driveway getting a Subaru drivetrain put in it, but believe me, had I the means to do so, It'd be in a container headed your way to get this treatment.

[@proinseasokiellig4388]

I dream of doing this with my LR 101 FC camper..

[@stephensimpson5283]

Ok, a better vehicle, although not a small van, is a UNIMOG. That would be awesome as an EV. I also wonder what it would be like if the awning was a big roll out solar blanket. Imagine opening your awning and its all solar! Great work guys.

[@nevco8774]

Even in the USA were folks are accustomed to huge RVs this vehicle would fare pretty well.

[@user-if7kh8xn5q]

+1 on the kit!

[@PaulM745]

These days, older model camper cars with diesel engines are being banned from entering many European cities. I'd love to see one of them (preferably a big one) being converted. But a maximum range of 150 miles, (or 241,4 kilometres) is way too little for a car meant to take you to places far away... 500 kilometres is a minimum requirement...

[@juanmacias5922]

That is a gorgeous, and capable vehicle!

[@alexburnham9339]

30 seconds in, I want this!!

[@jonhayworth975]

For me the ideal would be a T3 or T4 crew cab, and a demountable camper unit - usable around the year whereas a tent-box is not great in mid winter

[@skodbolle]

That is the coolest thing on wheels!

[@spudproductions7606]

👍👍

[@FishplateFilms]

Great review lads! I have been wondering who the owner was of this bus , now it makes sense! I watch Robert on Fully Charged and they speak highly of Ecotricity , and deep pockets were needed for this bespoke build. Cheers Gregg.

[@generalvoltage1821]

I like your idea of the crew cab version, as long as the back seats aren't too squeezy. But for you, I STILL think a Land Rover Defender 130 single cab or crew cab with rear canopy or tent bed would be ideal. The long wheel base and maybe oversized battery pack makes for a great stable tow vehicle plus you can outfit if the way you like for camping etc. Other thoughts are a UniMog and a Pinzgauer. Lastly, I feel like the motor should have a rock slider bar underneath it incase someone drops the rear off a ledge and collects the Zonic on the way down. But it is a great build.

[@Okkebeltman]

Id love a pinzgauer or volvo tgb conversion, especially the 6x6 versions. its my: "if I win the lottery" plan to make one myself

[@alanhat5252]

Pinzgauers, like the ponies they're named after, are small so not enough battery space for a useful space. Unimogs too are short.

[@Okkebeltman]

@@alanhat5252 My plan would be to do the full camper conversion and make the rear slide up for standing height, this means you can use some of the space on the rear. They are also not that small. the 6x6 versions are about 1.9m wide and 6m long (6ft and 20ft for our american friends), which is bigger than the car in the video and the land rover defender mentioned. Last, im pretty sure someone already did a pinzgauer convertion. Edit: Project Ecarus

[@johnemerson5383]

I absolutely love this vehicle. The range would be problematic for Australia but everything else about it is perfect.

[@alanhat5252]

the range is problematic for England! I've stopped for a break mid-trip, I'm doing 225 miles each way, 150 miles range doesn't cut it for me.

[@danbonser7781]

A land rover forward control 👌🏼

[@adenihil]

It’s beautiful… Great job. 👍🏼 I think you may need mudguards though.

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Good idea!

[@alanhat5252]

yes, they keep much of the road salt off the lower body...

[@pipersall6761]

What a great van! Awesome job! Cheers from Indiana!

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍👍

[@leewheeldon262]

Yet another cracking build, one of the best so far in my opinion. It would be difficult to better, but money no object I'd have the conversion on a Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 with a Redtail camping pod on the roof.

[@TheGramophoneGirl]

Absolutely love it 😍. It's seriously impressive. I know presently you have to be a millionaire to afford one, but they'll come down in price in due course. Well jealous.

[@jimcabezola3051]

It's outstanding! Ticks all the boxes for me..including the colour! Perfect for here in Hawai'i!

[@baadayakazi4983]

Excellent. Roof tent model? Looks really understated. Not a regular eyesore.

[@MONKEYBIFFSNIFF]

Honestly, I could think of a better vehicle for me personally. Great job on the build mate. Top notch. 👍🏻

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks 👍

[@McGoogger]

I am extremely jealous of this car

[@shoestringfarm]

Nice vehicle now. Shame about the rust. But definitely worth saving in my opinion. Good work.

[@jkidd152]

Love the EV Syncro. Well done

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Thanks! 👍

[@douglaskinloch6272]

Absolutely perfect,

[@anthonyrawsthorne656]

Superb restomod, I like subtle, so yeah, real nice camper. Id still get nervous with everything running of the single power source, but something you'd get used to.

[@Whereswally606]

Good from afar, far from good. Done a nice job on it. Dale is a lucky man. Was thinking about converting a mitsi delica with outlander bits but i think like the look of this vanagon vw more. Probs lighter than a delica too. Now ive an env200 that i mean to upgrade but it serves really well as a camper. Not as good looking as this though.

[@peterhillas81]

Wow! Now that's a sleeper!

[@SimonPass230267]

Fabulous, love it.

[@swooshjj]

gorgeous !

[@petertitterton6836]

Not for off road, how about a Mercedes Marco Polo campervan? Very nice interior.

[@Lifeistooshort67]

Great for sneaking up on people or wildlife.

[@72mardy]

That's not bloody off roading, Moggie 🤣 that's a normal Australian country driveway 😂👍 Love the bus mate, outstanding effort. The results speak for themselves.

[@ryantakers]

Lol, was thinking the same. I'd take the Corolla on that! Great build though.

[@72mardy]

@@ryantakers Bunnings carpark has bumps bigger than that track 😋

[@davincisghost9228]

@@72mardy Lol... call that a hill?

[@user-eu1ih2cm4w]

​@@ryantakers wv CARAVELLA..😅

[@paulgardner4931]

It's certainly is the perfect 4x4 best looking beast of a camper, the design utilises every inch of space of the vehicle 😍🤙

[@conorlee9241]

As a syncro owner i love these vans ,i work on the restoration side of them mostly..Do you ever in visage ,deleting transmission, and drive with more batteries down below..and a separate motor up front ,as the vw transmission won't really deal with to much power ..and we want all four wheels spinning 😊

[@Paul-67]

Well done with the restoration and conversion. I would go into debt to have one.

[@williamclark6466]

NICE! I love this! Cheers!

[@spudproductions7606]

Thanks 👍👍

[@mrmawson2438]

That looks a great campervan

[@xkitejunkie]

wow that's an impressive leisure battery! Van is awesome too ;-)

[@davemangle6448]

The awning needs to be a solar panel 😊

[@ElectricClassicCars]

Great idea. I wonder if solar panels can be that flexible to be rolled up like that? 👍

[@theunknownunknowns5168]

Ok I'm selling the house and using the Model Y as a donor. A 4wd pop-up is my dream vehicle. Used to have a hiace pop-up camper as my daily runner and weekend getaway.

[@spudproductions7606]

👍👍

[@kennywallace1]

Amazing machine. How much did it cost to build?

[@Fishd1]

Love this. Love it.

[@James_T_Quirk]

Fantastic !, like the Awning, Like the Green Colour, for a bit of "Camo" in Scrub, but Maybe a rooftop fold out/slide out Solar Array that doubles as Awning, unfolded, may be a choice, to keep you off grid, with a few more panels, Of course getting a Schwimmwagen option may be nice to make it the Ultimate Off Roader..

[@elstner]

I had a 16“ syncro custom build camper myself. I wish a still owned it so I could let Richard convert it….

[@drewmartinezart]

Very cool . Love it!

[@mtbikesam68]

Love it! Would you say that the regen offers more/less/same amount of resistance downhill as "engine braking" from a petrol engine? My father has a 1986 Westfalia that I would love to have converted to electric. Too bad I am in the United States!

[@MickeyMishra]

Not a bad idea if you need a runabout on your property. And you already have a Off grid system setup for charging.