Before the New Beatle came out they had announced that it would come as a diesel-electric hybrid and all-electric vehicle, I clipped the article since I sincerely hoped an EV would be available... Still waiting.

Could this have retail value? Think about it. Some fleets, like short-range shuttle buses, would find this a boon!

Yes, the performance of the original would not be hard to match. Many engines were made but they started at 25hp and went up to 70hp.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VW_Type_2

When I was in college in the late 1960s, my roommate owned one of those things. Man, it was nasty to drive. Back then the speed limit was 70 mph and the bus had a top speed of maybe 62 mph, on level ground with a following wind. Its aerodynamics were so bad that every time a semi passed you (and a lot of them did) the air currents would pick the bus up and move it 3 or 4 feet sideways.

I bet the bus is improved by the batteries under the floorboards, and no, it is not slower.

Here is a New VW Beetle conversion, http://www.cameronsoftware.com/ev/Welcome.html

You do have a point. The telematics and entertainment electronics they describe probably consume around 1kw-hr of energy.

In fact the automotive world is starting to face major problems with 14.4V systems again. Electric PS, telematics, climate control, etc are requiring 200Amp + alternators which means losses in the wiring are going up faster and faster.
http://www.automotivedesignline.com/howto/193004134;jsessionid=P42KS2YU4S5DGQSNDLRCKHSCJUNN2JVN

I meant to say New Beetle. :)

For an earlier electric VW microbus, check out http://calteches.library.caltech.edu/276/01/bust.pdf and http://www.electricauto.com/hist_trip_02.html . In 1968, in this electric VW microbus, vehicle and race creator Wally Rippel, along with George Schwartz and myself, were the first people to cross the continent purely on electric power -- so it's fun to see VW resurecting the concept!

A fantastic solution. Many people will buy vw-remake buses that are electric just like this. The 1968-78 type two bus body is the perfect candidate for the electric drive. The sheetmetal/chassis manufacture of this exact bus should go back into production, dedicated for electric drivetrain. The body is very lightweight but immensely strong; the perfect recipient. Remember, the type two was rated ONE TON. It also looks neat - "cool" & fun. It's also roomy - you can put all kinds of stuff in it. It really doesn't need to have all that fancy stuff; just a good heater, radio, 3-speed windshield wiper, very basic gauges & dual front airbags, with side curtain passenger airbags. Such a bus should also be fitted with the (return of the) 7mph shock-absorber bumpers (front and rear). The real clincher is this bus has approximately a 90-mile range AND only a 6-7 hour recharging requirement. 90 miles! THAT'S what people have been waiting to hear! There's only one thing left to do: Continue to engineer & provide the market with better & improved BATTERIES. Such ongoing improvements will steadily increase RANGE. Keep in mind that the manufacture of Batteries on a massive scale is much less energy consuming than biofuel or hydrogen fuel production, will not require any more rebuilding of existing industries (12 volt auto batteries have been made & sold for decades now) AND batteries can be RECYCLED. Another interesting advancement: Electric cars don't need any coolant/liquids (There are many other reasons why electric cars are a far better solution than other ideas).

I grew up in the 60s, my family owned a VW Bug... Man, it was great to drive. Its aerodynamics were so bad that every time a semi passed you (and a lot of them did) the air currents would pick the bus up and move it 3 or 4 feet sideways.
Take mw back to the days of Herbie the Love Bug!

Before the NB came out they had announced that it would come as a diesel-electric hybrid and all-electric vehicle, I clipped the article since I sincerely hoped an EV would be available... Well we are still waiting
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