Convert a pre-1998 Beetle to electric drive

That is, remove the air-cooled internal combustion engine and replace with
an electric drive motor, battery pack, charger, and associated controls.

Anybody ever done it? What were the results? Are there sources for
conversion kits?

Papa wrote:
> That is, remove the air-cooled internal combustion engine and replace with
> an electric drive motor, battery pack, charger, and associated controls.
>
> Anybody ever done it? What were the results? Are there sources for
> conversion kits?
>
>


GOOGLE: VW ELECTRIC CONVERSION


1 million + hits



Speedy Jim
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

"I have no use for a car which has more spark plugs than a cow has teats!"
Henry Ford, when advised that Chevrolet was introducing a 6-cylinder engine.

Papa wrote:
> That is, remove the air-cooled internal combustion engine and replace with
> an electric drive motor, battery pack, charger, and associated controls.

Lots of resources out there. I recall some electric Bugs from the
seventies. Bradley had a motor that hooked right up to the VW
transmission for their GTII-e kit car.

For the stock VW bug body storage was an issue. The back seat area had
to be modified to fit batteries (and sealed and vented) and the front
(trunk) had to be cut out and a flat platform welded in for more plus
the charger. Front/rear weight distribution was problematic.

Battery technology has improved tremendously so you might have better
outcomes today.

Heck, A few Bugs were even wood fire powered (using the gas from the
wood) during WWII.

This electric vehicle should be interesting to examine.
http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php?js_enabled=1
They basically use laptop batteries. ;-)

Did VW every produce an electric vehicle?

"JJ" > wrote in message
...
> Papa wrote:
>> That is, remove the air-cooled internal combustion engine and replace
>> with an electric drive motor, battery pack, charger, and associated
>> controls.
>
> Lots of resources out there. I recall some electric Bugs from the
> seventies. Bradley had a motor that hooked right up to the VW transmission
> for their GTII-e kit car.
>
> For the stock VW bug body storage was an issue. The back seat area had to
> be modified to fit batteries (and sealed and vented) and the front (trunk)
> had to be cut out and a flat platform welded in for more plus the charger.
> Front/rear weight distribution was problematic.
>
> Battery technology has improved tremendously so you might have better
> outcomes today.
>
> Heck, A few Bugs were even wood fire powered (using the gas from the wood)
> during WWII.

Speedy Jim wrote:

> Papa wrote:
>
>> That is, remove the air-cooled internal combustion engine and replace
>> with an electric drive motor, battery pack, charger, and associated
>> controls.
>>
>> Anybody ever done it? What were the results? Are there sources for
>> conversion kits?
>>


Speaking of the VW history (and wood-burning models:-)

For those history buffs out there who may not have browsed these sites:

http://www.vwbusstop.demon.nl/bushistory/index.html

Kubels:
http://www.algonet.se/~fredbrun/

(in German)
http://www.waffenhq.de/panzer/kuebelwagen.html

http://www.pre67vw.co.uk/history/

Many great articles:
http://www.ltv-vwc.org.uk/wheelspin/...es_history.htm




This one on the founder of the gas heater used in VW's is priceless:
http://www.winterstory.cz/En/ChB01.htm

dave AKA vwdoc1 wrote:
> This electric vehicle should be interesting to examine.
> http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php?js_enabled=1
> They basically use laptop batteries. ;-)
>
Wow! I got to get me one of those! 0-60 in 4 seconds must be like riding
a rocket sled. A little too pricey at the moment though.


--
They have the internet for computers now?
-Homer Simpson

"dave AKA vwdoc1" > wrote in message
. net...
> This electric vehicle should be interesting to examine.
> http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php?js_enabled=1
> They basically use laptop batteries. ;-)
>

I love that car! Now if my wife wins the lottery, we're all set. ;>)

> Did VW every produce an electric vehicle?
>

They may have built a concept electric car, but AFAIK never a production
version.

"JJ" > wrote in message
...
> Papa wrote:
>> That is, remove the air-cooled internal combustion engine and replace
>> with an electric drive motor, battery pack, charger, and associated
>> controls.
>
> Lots of resources out there. I recall some electric Bugs from the
> seventies. Bradley had a motor that hooked right up to the VW transmission
> for their GTII-e kit car.
>
> For the stock VW bug body storage was an issue. The back seat area had to
> be modified to fit batteries (and sealed and vented) and the front (trunk)
> had to be cut out and a flat platform welded in for more plus the charger.
> Front/rear weight distribution was problematic.
>
> Battery technology has improved tremendously so you might have better
> outcomes today.
>

Thanks for the rundown.
> Heck, A few Bugs were even wood fire powered (using the gas from the wood)
> during WWII.