DIY All electric EV Volkswagen Beetle conversion using Tesla bits by Traction EV

While we were at a recent Euro car meet in Brisbane last weekend, something very cool caught our eye - this all electric Beetle..

We had a chat to the mad scientist behind the project, James Pauly, who makes these creations for customers in his garage.

Complete with a 30,000v taser instead of an exhaust, this is a road legal, 120hp classic with a 160km range, and over 120hp, with the ability to crank it up higher if the owner is game :)

Thanks very much to James for taking the time to have a chat about his creation, and we might soon be knocking on Traction EV's door to make us something unique in the future :)

28kwh Tesla Battery, 120hp electric motor.

[hectorsrodriguez]

Have you thought about placing the batteries on car´s floor, just like the e-Käfer do?
This configuration has some advantages: 1. More stability as the weight is distributed lower. 2. It would leave space in the trunk. 3. It would isolate the noise produced from the road

[brettbinskin]

I love this! Wish I could do this exact setup on my wife's '70 Beetle. It really hates the QLD heat and we would use it far more often if it was electrified like this. Unfortunately these conversions cost a heap. One day....

[teknokilr]

Still sorting out a system for my 74 super - I plan on adding a bank of the super capacitors as well as the battery packs to help with acceleration since they would charge quickly back up with regenerative braking and can save the battery bank a bit

[Barnz]

That's pretty cool! Oh what! The exhaust 😮

[truckerenoch]

I had a rock from a spinning truck wheel hit my bare ankle (right on the ball of the ankle) and it split the skin almost down the bone. I don't know how the bone didn't break. I still have a scar 20+ years later.
Btw, this happened while I was trying to push the truck up a dirt boat launch, with the boat on the trailer. 2 old guys passed by in a John boat laughing and told us to start the boat, then when the truck starts to accelerate, hit the throttle in the boat and then kill the engine before it comes out of the water. Those geezers right! It worked like a charm!

[jacobpareja]

Dude that scream the motor makes is sick!

[MsPokey]

VW should have made a EV-BEETLE - agreed?

[harrisuutari]

What a storyteller! I have exactly same EV West setup in my Beetle. Measured peak power is 65kW. According to manufacturer's data sheet continuous power of the motor is 38kW. Continuing max current output of Tesla batteries is 250A, equals to 27kW on 110VDC. So not even close to 120 horse power. There is no fast charging in this setup.

[Tractionev]

Thanks for the interview Mark! I should also mention the motor is a NetGain HyPer 9.

[joeabad]

I like your bettle...
Is it beig used as a daily commute or just to prove the conversion works?

[panagiotistheodorou]

Hello Guys. I have a 1973 bug which I just finished doing the body from metal to finish. The idea of converting to EV is very tantalizing. I live in South Africa, Could you guide me on who or where I could have the job dome? Greatly appreciated.

[abrahammonteropacheco]

you can also make Mustang 2005 v6 electric like that

[xboxice]

we need people in Australia to start swapping Nissan leaf batteries :)

[ab_ab_c]

That's pretty good--~83% as efficient as a modern Tesla Model 3.
~3.55 miles per kWh (~5.7 km/kWh). A Model 3 gets ~4.3 miles/kWh (~6.9 km/kWh)

[glidercoach]

I don't need 120 hp. In fact, I'd be happy with 50 hp. Surely this would increase range, right?

Also, my 1967 Karmann Ghia has air conditioning. Can a compressor be adapted?

[jerrygomezjr]

Is there Any specific tires to be used with this kit ..i ask because I like the rear big 215/65/15 tires

[nesadx]

Beetle gearbox might be strong enough for your setup, but from my experience its not very strong. Otherwise all the credit to you for building such a nice EV project.

[jarnowesthovens]

What is the name/brand of the charger you have sitting in the front? I am searching for that exact model. Thanks!

[HarshJain-itbg]

5:20 when my girlfriend texts me that she is home alone

[taw]

do you have any kits to make it automatic