“Electric Mayhem”
Since 2021, Mike has been converting his 1978 VW bus to 100% EV with parts from EV West and major help from PeaceVans. As of Spring 2024, the EV conversion is 95% done. Ongoing updates will be posted here. Next phase is tuning to reach maximum range capacity, along with daily drive testing. The test is whether this recycling & restoration project can be an everyday family-work vehicle.
The "before" shot
New motor pre-installation
The old gas engine. Gross.
The old engine is gone
New motor installed
So fresh and so clean, clean
The old gas tank inlet
New charging port
2023 Update: Locating the new battery box
2023 Summer: Locating the new batteries
2023 Summer: New motor re-installed
2023 Summer: Wiring main contactors in progress
2023 Fall: Wiring the new batteries
2023 Fall: New batteries fully wired
2023 Fall: New battery box uninstalled
2023 Fall: New battery box installation
2023 Fall: Battery box installed
Winter 2023: First at-home charging and test driving
Spring 2024: Charging from solar power at home. 900+ miles driven on EV. EV conversion almost done, still some tune-up needed.
Spring 2024: Motor & all EV components installed and operational
Spring 2024: Need to re-make the motor shroud
A massive undertaking, maybe the biggest of Mike’s life and career to date, this vehicle is a working, scale-able example to follow as a recycling & alternative energy model. After reaching full everyday operating capacity on 100% EV, then there will be years’ worth of cosmetic updates & live-aboard renovations to do.