Electric VW Panel Van Conversion: A Full-Payload Performance Test
This classic VW panel van has been converted to electric power using eDub’s latest drive system and largest battery pack.
Unlike our camper van conversions, this vehicle retains its original panel van layout, making it ideal for testing one of the VW van’s greatest strengths: its impressive carrying capacity.
Designed to Perform Under Load
Converting a large, heavy and unaerodynamic vehicle to electric power presents several engineering challenges.
Earlier drive systems could struggle with temperature control under demanding conditions. For this conversion, efficiency, cooling and consistent performance were therefore major priorities.
The new system is designed to regulate its temperature automatically, even when the vehicle is climbing steep gradients or carrying a substantial load.
Establishing the Vehicle’s Weight
The van has a maximum permitted gross weight of 2,070 kg.
With its electric conversion and largest battery pack installed, the vehicle weighed 1,326 kg before being loaded. This left a considerable amount of usable payload while remaining within its permitted weight limit.
Testing at Close to Maximum Capacity
To test the conversion under realistic working conditions, the van was loaded with heavy workshop equipment and materials.
The load included:
- Two pallets of scrap metal
- Sections of vehicle subframe
- An additional eDub drive unit
- Two single-speed reduction gearboxes
- Two rock-and-roll beds
- Spare tyres
Once loaded, the van weighed 1,933 kg. With the driver included, the total weight was close to the vehicle’s maximum permitted limit.
Strong and Consistent Performance
The fully loaded van was tested from a standstill on a steep hill.
Despite carrying almost two tonnes in total, it climbed comfortably without requiring full power. The drive-unit temperature briefly increased under the initial load before quickly falling as the automatic cooling system responded.
The test demonstrated that the electric drive system could deliver strong, reliable performance while operating close to the vehicle’s maximum permitted weight.
Classic Versatility with Electric Power
The original versatility of the VW panel van is one of the reasons it became such a popular basis for camper conversions.
This electric conversion preserves that practicality while adding quiet, responsive and modern electric performance. Whether used as a working panel van or converted into a camper, the vehicle remains capable of carrying substantial loads without compromising drivability.
