How to covert a VW Beetle to electric power

[Lodog110776]

Beautiful bug... great job.

[michaelplummer100]

what is the farthest you have ever got one to go

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@michaelplummer100 Just over 100 miles with a 29 kWh lithium pack.

[pitchingwedge1]

Whats the range of this car and how does it perform?  thanks

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@pitchingwedge1 The range with the lead acid pack is 30 - 50 miles. We also offer a lithium pack that provides a 40 - 60 mile range. The performance is better than the stock Beetle with a 0 to 60 time of about 15 seconds, and a top speed of 85+ mph. It also handles and brakes better than stock.

[ebach1]

cool video :)

[ChemTrailSkys]

What is the motor for Originaly? Where can I get a large Electric Motor?

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@ChemTrailSkys The NetGain ImPulse 9 motor is designed and built specifically for EVs. You can visit their website at go-ev.com

[mrhulot101]

great bug video, made me a subscriber

[AileenColloAmparo]

Hello, is there any groups or individuals who teaches this? I'd like to learn myself.

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@AileenColloAmparo Starting in 2012, EV4U Custom Conversions will be offering 3-Day Hands-On Conversion Workshops. Visit our website at EV4Unow.com for all the details.

[TimKGrimes]

Excellent job!



[MrAdamSievers]

Almost 20 GRAND???????????? Oh God no.......

[saxmanchiro]

You have skills.

In the process of converting my kit car(GT40) into EV. Currently, I have an '82 Mazda rotary married to a 67 VW 4sp, all on a 64 beetle pan. Did the rotary conversion in 84. Loved it until now. The chassis is rotten so time to restore from ground up. I have lots of room behind the front seats for batteries(Lithium). Any advice on the good yrs for a donor chassis and trans? I hate my trans that I have.

[ev4ucustomconversion]

Prefer '69 and later.

All the best on your conversions.

[theduke502]

@saxmanchiro Your best bet is to check Craigs List for a replacement VW pan. You might be able to find someone selling one on The Samba. It's a VW classified site. They have all kinds of resources on there. If you are in Cali, try Interstate VW in Lake Elsinore. Ask for Jim Luca ;)

[saxmanchiro]

@theduke502 Thanks for the leads. I am on the East coast, NC. Lots of nonrusty VWs out here but I'm not sure if I even want to stay with VW and maybe go completely custom on the chassis, maybe even alum. for wt reduction. I do like the torsion bar suspension though. Could just buy a complete donor car with no engine and just start tearing it up.

[theduke502]

@saxmanchiro I don't know how your smog laws are out there, but there are better chassis setups for the EV conversion than the VW. I am thinking about the same thing honestly. I don't want to ruin my 74. I am thinking about looking for a rolling shell to build. An older Dodge (more of them around out here than Ford or Chevy) conversion is an idea also. They have plenty battery space in addition to extra room for hauling things around (mobile mechanic tools) ;)

[overth64]

@theduke502 Hola estoy en cali y tengo un VW escarabajo mod. 54 me gustaría hacer la conversión, donde encuentro asesoría aquí para eso.

[sonicthehedge1900]

@Vappi94 Fail troll fail

[meehandyman]

great i got an old 86 pontic sunbird wagan 4 cl 5 dr , that i love. i wander if that could be fix to run on electic . ?

[ev4ucustomconversion]

Yes it can. For more information visit our website.

[ae70gts]

every thing is perfect really scientific job...

but the price.... and the mileage...

[MsZeitgeist85]

If it is electric why does it have exhaust pipes?

[theawesomeness9911]

i like it bitches.

[InsituExp]

only 19.000 :) buy a new car .)

[denisrenelara]

@InsituExp that is enough for a brand new leaf!

[ev4ucustomconversion]

Yes, but everyday the Leaf is worth less and less. Classic vehicles hold their value.

[denisrenelara]

@ev4ucustomconversion i dont even know if I should respond to that

[ev4ucustomconversion]

Everyday that goes by, the new car is worth less. The Bugs continue to increase in value.

[InsituExp]

@ev4ucustomconversion i agree with you, but it depends on what you are expecting from a car

[ev4ucustomconversion]

Right you are. That's why there are Fords and Chevys, everyone likes something different. Thanks for watching.

[ae70gts]

@ev4ucustomconversion for those who are into classics...not for ppl who just need to move from place Ato place B .

and since it has nothing genuine on it its worthless as a classic

its just unique in its own way. as every machine is when modified

[chebaongu]

can you do it with Z4 BMW , and how much 

thank

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@chebaongu Yes we can. For a quote and more information, email info@ev4unow.com

[ev4ucustomconversion]

Yes we can. For a quote and more information, email info@ev4unow.com

[TheJimmax]

Bobs pretty cool but can you make him go put put put ..... like an old beetle?

[VRCommy]

Cool car and great job! But the exhaust should definitely be removed. Especially when it says electric right above it lol

[gblan]

What? No disgusting, crappy headbanger music?

[emercito]

amazing. great job

[kickinbackinOC]

2:52

"A-p-p-r-o-p-R-i-a-t-e"

[massel210]

@fitimio001

1 person is... ME!

it was a KÄFER, not a "beetle". Now it's a beetle. poor car....

[fitimio001]

0 people are...oh wait....

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@redbikeinc By size, I take it you mean kilo-watt hours. We offer two Lithium packages, one is 15.4 kwh and the other is 30.8 kwh. The lead acid pack is 20.3 kwh.

[burpitt82]

Great job. Does the beetle still use gears / gearbox? Or do you just leave it in one gear?

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@burpitt82 The motor mounts to the stock transaxle, and the clutch is retained also.

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@burpitt82 The electric motor mounts to the stock transaxle. We still retain the clutch and shift as you would a stock VW.  However, we don't always both with first gear. Thanks for watching.

[stiantiger]

Good job!!

[dimebag699]

great job .my friend covter 71 elct. bug.i like my 73 i get 46 mpg hwy 37 city .pass smog test. is a lev and is a great diver i need the back seat for my kid to rid in.to much weight for batt. but it is great that you can do this . gas is to dam high.we need a new way s to power our cars.

[ImYourLastResort]

Brilliant job, and what a stunner.

Has EV4U ever done any installs with AC motors? I presume only DC models thanks to the price difference.

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@ImYourLastResort We offer AC conversions, but you're right, DC conversions are more popular, mainly due to price.

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@ImYourLastResort We offer AC conversions, but you're right, DC conversions are more popular, mainly due to price.

[VwErik88]

Awsome man :D the beetle will be the new Pelole Electric car :)

[sockosockosocko]

cut the soundtrack at the last note - that's just mean :)

[PanccoVanilla]

Which is charging time??

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@PanccoVanilla Depending on state of discharge, anywhere from 45 minutes to 6-1/2 hours if fully discharged.

[waldrop32]

$1700 seems like a lot.I guess you still need to put "gas" money aside to pay for the batteries when they do go out. What would I do if I want to drive 600 miles? I would have to stop every 30 to 45 min. Still not exactly what I want. I can't wait till we figure something better then batteries.

[nv1z]

I run a landscape business ( kahnlandscaping . com ) and converted my diesel-powered dump truck to waste vegetable oil (not biodiesel.) Plans are to convert some RWD pickups to all-electric and see how practical they are for spring-summer-fall work. Would like to supplement range with solar panels. Most bus. is local & could get charge while @ customer's house even w/o AC power!

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@nv1z Solar panels are on the vehicle? Not practical.  Opportunity charging at customers homes, excellent.

[nv1z]

@Kennyboy251, just saw this video &noticed that 120 mph placard too. Can this thing really do 120 mph?

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@nv1z Top speed of the Bug is 90 MPH.

[n4120p]

Congratulations, Exelent job and fairly respectable performance,,, but unfortunatelly still economically unatractive not matter how you try to sugar coated, plus it will be expensive to keep up,,,, I don't think those batteries will live pass 2 years.

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@n4120p Thank you for your comments. The electric Beetle requires much less attention than the original stock Beetle. No oil changes, no points, and no brake and valve adjustments. With the Lithium battery option there is basically no maintenance other than checking your tire pressure. The replacement cost on the Trojan batteries is approx. $1700. The batteries in our marketing vehicle are more than two years old, and have over 7000 miles, and are still going strong. I drive the car daily.

[bluemoondiadochi]

very nice vid!

it's easy to understand, and even though i'm not into classic, you picked the music good, it's relaxing and makes the vid even more enjoyable!

thank you! 

[lpbman3]

What batteries went into this particular conversion and what is the nominal capacity after a little break in time?

Nice job by the way.

Also, for ~6g's I could put 10kw/h of 25c nanotech lipo's. Not so much range, but motor melting discharge curves and only 150lbs+packaging/cooling. ~2 1/2 hour empty to full @ 4kw/h.... at least that is what reading the labels tell me.

Maybe that should go in a NSX conversion?

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@lpbman3 This vehicle which is our marketing vehicle uses Trojan 30XHS batteries. 20.3 kwh pack. This version of Bug conversion sells for $19875.00. We offer a Lithium version that sells for $25985.00

[trappy77]

750 dollars per year to buy gasoline for me driving 50 miles per day in mine would take 11 years to pay for the project if I do not take in to effect the value of the investment capitol for growth, or the cost of replacement batteries and higher maintenance.

If taking the value of investment capitol into effect the cost is outrageous. I would like one of these cars, but for now I have to wait until the pioneers can hopefully drive the costs down a little for me :(

[imsiriustube]

@trappy77 We desperately need better battery technology.

[pinkyzoey]

The lack of pipes would be an even greater conversation item.

[pinkyzoey]

Why did you leave the exhaust pipes? Since you were having body work done, you should have had the indents filled in where the pipes were, and left them out.

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@pinkyzoey The pipes are a great conversation item.

[Kennyboy251]

hahaha, "CAUTION do not lower windows at speeds exceeding 120mph" 6:58

[doezel]

Hi! What's the performance now of this bug?

0-60? vmax? range?

and is the weight increased compared to the weight before the conversion?

[ev4ucustomconversion]

Top speed 90 MPH, 0-60 MPH in 15 seconds (with normal driving)

The range is 30 to 50 miles depending upon conditions.

Suspension upgrades and conversion added 920 pounds. Weight after conversion is 2580 pounds.

The bug features four wheel disc brakes, air shocks, heavy-duty anti-sway bar, lightened flywheel, heavy-duty clutch, welded polypropylene battery boxes with polycarbonate lids, custom venting system, and an on-board 120 volt charger.

[imsiriustube]

@ev4ucustomconversion Is there a hard distance vs. speed issue? Like, if you reduced the max speed to 75, would you get more distance?

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@imsiriustube There is, by reducing the voltage, you reduce the top speed, and decrease the weight of the battery pack. A 120 volt setup gets you about 60 - 65 MPH and approx. 5 - 10 more miles in range. This not an absolute, as there are lots of variables. We design our conversions to be Freeway capable, and thus use a 144 volt setup. Additional range is accomplished using Lithium Ion batteries, at an additional cost of $6,000. Range costs money. How far do you need to go?

[ev4ucustomconversion]

If the pack is completely discharged, it takes 6-1/2 hours to fully recharge. My normal driving of approximately 25 miles per day, takes four hours of charging time.

[johnson1095]

how long does it take to charge up???

I hope not long!

[DanFrederiksen]

what's the barebone weight of the beetle?

[ev4ucustomconversion]

@DanFrederiksen

The factory stock weight of the Beetle was 1850 lbs. This vehicle was fairly stripped when we purchased it and the starting weight before conversion was 1660 lbs.

[DanFrederiksen]

lose the pipes : )

[megatrontheman]

look mom no gas ahahaha good one love the video.. thanks for sharin :)

[evric2008]

Excellent job