“Electric Mayhem”
This 1978 VW “Riviera” pop top is now an EV. Mike started the conversion process in 2021 with an EV West kit and 10 Tesla batteries. Thanks to incredible work by PeaceVans, all hardware is now installed. As of May 2025 this bus has driven over 4,500 miles as an electric 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: At PeaceVans, 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
2023 Winter: First at-home charging and test driving
2024 Spring: Charging from solar at home. 900+ miles driven on EV. Conversion almost done, still needs tune-up.
2024 Spring: Need to re-make the motor shroud
2024 Spring: Motor & all EV components installed and operational
2024 Summer: Bus-as-advertising, shamelessly using it as a billboard to promote my art show
2024 Summer: Bus-as-art, installed with my "gas tank" and chatting with Seattle EV guru Dave Barden.
2024 Summer: With my 'Trash Talking' gas tank
2024 Summer: Party time, at the Georgetown's Mini Mart City Park.
2025 February: Now on 3rd electric motor. 1st was faulty, then replaced, then determined inadequate.
2025 February: Lesson learned - EV tech changes fast. I bought 1st motor 4 years prior to this one. WAIT to buy components!
2025 May: Best iteration yet, 4,500 miles & counting on pure 100% EV
Software programming is still needed to reach a target range of 100+ miles per charge. After reaching full EV capacity, there’s years’ worth of restorations. Ongoing updates will be posted here.
Probably the biggest project of Mike’s life and career, this is a scale-able model deeply inspired by his pops, Harry Leavitt, an alternative energy pioneer and the best recycler the world will ever know.
Some things should get thrown out. Some things are worth saving. Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water, just toss the ICE.