FAQS

Some advice before you embark on your own electrification project.
Index
What level of expertise do you need to undertake this job?

Mechanically, this isn't a difficult job to undertake if you have some knowledge and experience of working with vehicles. Electrically, it is more advanced and I'd recommend working alongside a professional who can help out with the more complicated bits - there is also the inherent risk of working with high voltage which can't be understated as requiring professional oversight.

What is the most difficult part of the conversion?

Battery configuration and wiring. The battery pack needed to be arranged in a specific order to work with the conversion kit. The wiring isn't super difficult, but it is certainly the most complicated part of the conversion.

Do the brakes need updating at the same time?

It can be a good idea, as most originals have had a fair amount of wear and tear in their 50 years, and the EV engine should end up giving you about twice the power of the original engine.

Do the original dials and speedo work with the EV engine?

Yes! The speedo is driven from the original gearbox that you can retain in the vehicle. We managed to get all the original electrics to work perfectly with the conversion kit.

Is there anything else worth reading before starting the project?

A trusty Hynes workshop manual, a wiring diagram of the EV conversion kit, and some background information on battery chemistry and circuit configurations will go a long way towards putting a good plan in place.

What was the LVV process like for the conversion?

We recommend getting an LVV certifier involved as early in the project as possible so that they can work alongside you to ensure compliance. Our LVV Certifier was with us from the beginning which made the process much easier.

Is there a difference converting an automatic transmission Kombi to electric?

Converting an automatic to EV presents a number of unique challenges that aren't faced with a conventional manual transmission. A bit technical for FAQ, but torque response, hydraulic pump pressure, and torque stall speeds would be a few things to research carefully before attempting it.

Is this transferable to different wheelbases?

Yes! The electric motor directly replaces the engine, there is no impact on the wheelbase. The only consideration would be ensuring there is enough room to fit the batteries.

How much to complete the conversion

Have a look in the resources for a link to the conversion kit. This is the perfect starting point for your own electric Kombi journey and costs just over $10k USD. Keep in mind we used recycled batteries from previous projects.

How long did the project take start to finish?

It was about one year from a shell to a drivable vehicle, but do projects like this ever really finish?

How much heavier did this make the Kombi?

Losing the engine from the back and a tank full of fuel saves about 100kg, which we immediately replace with 100kg worth of batteries, a 30kg Motor, and about 20kg of steel battery casing. All up KEV has put on about 50kg.

How is the Kombi charged?

You charge off a standard AC Type 2 Charging Cables just like their modern electric cousins.

What's KEVs power output?

The motor is 90kW

What is the Battery Pack Capacity

The custom made battery pack is 28kWh

Where did you get your batteries from?

We used recycled e-golf batteries from a previous project.

Are these parts compatible with a 2002 beetle?

The conversion kit we used is only compatible with a VW Kombi at this stage, but the supplier EV West has a wide range of kits available. It’s worth checking them out!

Need Help?

We recommend working alongside a professional to help with the conversion and wiring.

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