Volkswagen T1 Samba - from classic car to electric car!

The Volkswagen T1 Bus brings back great memories for many car fans. After all, VW was able to sell the "Bulli" more than 1950 million times during its production period from 1967 to 1,8. Thanks to a start-up from Baden-Württemberg, it is now possible to turn the classic into a real one electric vehicle to have it remodeled. This is made possible by theeClassics Sales Ltd“ from Renningen. In this way, the sympathizer is given a second lifetime. When the top model VW T1 Samba rolled off the assembly line at Volkswagen, it had a boxer engine with an output of 25 hp installed. That was enough to accelerate the bus to a maximum of 80 km/h. With the e-car conversion from the start-up eClassics the smelly vintage car can now be put into a clean one electric vehicle transform. Even original series technology directly from VW is used for this. With a powerful Battery in the ground and an efficient Electric motor the specialists from Renningen turn up the power 83 PS up. Thus, a top speed of up to 130 km/h and a range of over 200 kilometers guaranteed.

High-voltage electric vehicle

• internally ventilated disc brakes
• modern shock absorbers with coil springs
• Rack and pinion steering
• TÜV certificate and VW guarantee
• Power electronics, cables, batteries
• CCS charging socket
• Use of the modular electric drive kit (MEB) planned

Through the modern conversions through eClassics old VW models get a second term. This is not only made possible by the technology from VW. Priority lays the Software of the start-up. It allows the individual e-car components to communicate with each other first conversion to a high-voltage basis only made possible. So far, there have usually only been "low-voltage conversions" in which an electric motor is installed on the existing transmission. After long tests, VW officially has its blessing given. The donor for the electrical engineering is the VW e Up. Like the VW T1, it has an unladen weight of only 950 kg and makes electrification possible. However, the Bulli still has to be on the axles first reinforced be, so that the 250 kilogram heavy Battery not breaking the ground. Overall, the conversion costs at eClassics around 50.000 euros. The conversion of a VW Beetle, on the other hand, is available there for around 40.000 euros. The new hardware from the e-Up includes the Automatic shift gate, the electric motor and the gas pedal. This is then no longer hanging, but stehend installed.

A complete renewal!

During the conversion, the specialists from Baden-Württemberg also gave the Bulli an internally ventilated one disc brake instead of the old drums. Don't forget the modern ones shock absorbers and coil springs and the Rack and pinion steering. This makes the electric VW bus of the first generation smooth and easy to drive. The components, from the cables to the battery, are manufactured in the Salzgitter factory. And the electric T1 Samba can also be charged on one fast charging station. With 70 kilowatts of electricity is the battery in around 40 minutes 80 percent charged again. The cooperation between Volkswagen and eClassics has been going on since 2019. At that time, the Wolfsburg carmaker presented an electric Beetle at the IAA in Frankfurt am Main (we reported). After the event, the contract. The following year, VW launched the "e-Bulli" study to examine electrified T1 buses (we reported). Incidentally, VW builds Bullis in North America second generation (T2) around. Volkswagen is already optimistic and proudly announces the great potential of the program.

Demand for historic e-cars continues to rise!

The start-up currently has eClassics approx. 20 historic VW commercial vehicles converted to e-cars. These included the "Beetle", "T1" and "T2" models. Contrary to the criticism of some classic car lovers that they would "kill" the classics, the demand is increasing rapidly.

Volkswagen wants to expand the business line

The world's leading car company from Wolfsburg, Germany, would like to expand its e-car division in the future. The "VW Group Components" division will therefore also provide electrical components for other classic vehicles. Among other things, it should soon be possible to turn an original Golf into an e-Golf. Volkswagen sees similar potential in the “Buggy”, “Karmann Ghia Type 14” and “VW 181 Kübelwagen” models. Meanwhile, eClassics is working on the electrification of the T3 bus. VW also sees an electric drive kit as realistic in the future, with which even classic cars from other brands can be converted. The "ID.3" and "ID.4" models are already a good example of this idea. If we get more information about the changes, there is of course an update for this report. You will be informed about this if you simply use our Feed subscribe to. Have fun watching the pictures and stay true to us!

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A VW T1 Samba Bulli bus with electric drive and battery!
Photo credit: eClassics Vertriebs GmbH / Jack's Garage The VW Specialists

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