Introduction to the 1967 VW Microbus that we are converting to electric drive

https://youtu.be/-Ga5E2ab4uk

That's a neat project, look forward to seeing the updates, keep us posted

I've been busy on other projects but have finally got the van through a second MOT ready for UK registration (with help from Steve Saunders at SSVC). Once the van is registered I will strip it down ready for it's electric drive conversion.

Lots of work has been undertaken on the electric drivetrain in the last year. I started with a Nissan Leaf donor car and had that stripped down and running on the bench top. However about a month ago I was offered a Tesla drivetrain and battery and have decided to switch course because that offers an easy 200+ miles range and ~200HP in a small motor package

If you are interested you can read some of the history over on the DIY Electric Car Forum;

http://www.diyelectriccar.com/forums/sh ... p?t=177489

I'll try to keep this thread updated from now on

I had a quick play with the Tesla drivetrain and my Red 9 IRS today. It looks as if the motor will fit with only minor reworking of the IRS and leave a huge cavern where the ICE used to be

The Tesla drivetrain is an integrated package that contains the electric motor, inverter, and the single speed transmission. I'm using the 'small' drivetrain that weighs 88kg and produces ~200HP. A much larger version is available that produces ~500HP.

Nice!!!!
Really looking forward to following this one. Will regularly be looking looking for updates so keep them coming.
A tesla motor and battery set is an ace score. Bet that wasn't cheap though.
Interested to see where you mount the batteries.

Wow I would love to do this, great project!

I read a story a while ago that due to Tesla having a hold on accident repairs, damaged cars are cheaper than expected. Does this mean that there are going to be more engines coming on the market.
The batteries are another matter, saw an eBay item last week 18k and that was before shipping to the UK.

Very interested in this tread. Keep up the posts.

Tidy bus by the way.

62 Double Door

If the ban on petrol & diesel cars by 2040 (and India promise to do it by 2030!!) comes off - I can imagine this will become a very popular conversion!

Have to say that Tesla motor/tranny drivetrain combo is a pretty neat compact package...

lowdown dirty rat wrote: ↑Sun Aug 27, 2017 8:59 pm A tesla motor and battery set is an ace score. Bet that wasn't cheap though.

Unfortunately, nothing about this conversion is cheap I was lucky enough to buy a complete drivetrain/battery package from a car that was imported into the UK from the US where lots are available as salvage.

lowdown dirty rat wrote: ↑Sun Aug 27, 2017 8:59 pm Interested to see where you mount the batteries.

My plan is to replace the complete centre section of the bus floor/chassis with one large battery box. This will put all the weight between the wheels and very low down. Battery technology is rapidly improving and the design will allow for wholesale battery replacement in the future

oilyragg wrote: ↑Mon Aug 28, 2017 6:42 am Wow I would love to do this, great project!

W-W wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2017 5:57 pm Does this mean that there are going to be more engines coming on the market.

In the US you find Tesla parts are readily available. I've also just been offered parts from three cars broken in Norway. In the UK it's just a matter of time before breakers start importing on a regular basis...

ted698 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:52 pm Have to say that Tesla motor/tranny drivetrain combo is a pretty neat compact package...

Yeh, it's extraordinary really... a complete ~200HP drivetrain in a similar sized package to a VW gearbox

Here we go £30k ono engine and batteries.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302430968925


62 Double Door

W-W wrote: ↑Wed Aug 30, 2017 5:05 pm Here we go £30k ono engine and batteries.

At that price I'm assuming it isn't a Cat C write-off and will be put back on the road and sold for ~£50K.

The bargains are in the US... not uncommon for a 2014 Tesla to go for well under $10K

https://erepairables.com/salvage-cars-a ... B%5D=tesla

Are you going to use this controller
http://advantics.fr/umc-drive-3-0-unive ... ontroller/


62 Double Door