Did You Know That VW Offered A Small Fleet Of Electric Transporter Bulli Vans In The 1970s?

Volkswagen has already entered the zero-emission commercial vehicle segment with the e-Crafter, and will further expand its electric offerings in 2022 with the launch of the ID. BUZZ and ID. Cargo.

However, their EV ties with models aimed at business and private customers date back to the 1970s, when the inventors of the Bulli and Beetle laid the foundation stone of a development division. Based in Wolfsburg, it was responsible for creating the first electric Volkswagen.

In 1972, this special division presented a prototype of a pickup, and not long after, production commenced. The vehicle was offered as a minibus and panel van too, and one of the fleet trial participants, the City of Berlin, Germany, bought seven of them, including the T2 pictured below, made in 1972 and licensed in April of 1978 to the local Transport Services, Drains Division.

The vehicle weighed a massive 2,170 kg (4,874 lbs), including 880 kg (1,940 lbs) for the battery that was able to store 21.1 kWh, enough for a range of up to 85 km (53 miles). Power came from a small electric motor from Bosch, producing a constant 22 PS (22 HP / 16 kW), with up to 44 PS (43 HP / 32 kW) available, and 160 Nm (118 lb-ft) of torque. The massive weight limited the top speed to 75 km/h (47 mph).

Back then, VW came up with a battery changing station in Tiergarten, in collaboration with Rhenish-Westphalian Electricity and then General Electric Street Vehicles, where the unit could be swapped with a fully charged one in only 5 minutes. The alternative was to charge the battery from Varta, using an interface in the back of the vehicle. For an old timer, the electric Bulli had impressive tech on board, including an energy recovery system.

The automaker will showcase the T2 BEV, which is part of their Oldtimer collection, at Techno Classica 2020, in Essen, from March 25 to 29.