Electric Peace and Love, Man: The Volkswagen Microbus Goes Green

If you could think of ONE car from the past that just begs to be made “green” by going electric, what would it be? Really think about it. A vehicle painted with giant flowers and peace signs, full of hippies in bell bottoms and love beads on their way to a Grateful Dead show? You've got it.

At the Geneva Auto Show, underway this week, Volkswagen has unveiled a new concept car: a revamped version of its wildly popular microbus from the 50s and 60s, writes the Website ClickOnDetroit. However, THIS microbus is electric.

Volkswagen’s new concept model is actually called the Bulli in Germany (one would hope they change that for a debut in English-speaking countries). It's powered by an electric motor, has room for six and its built-in “infotainment” system can be controlled via an iPad. (So you can listen to the Grateful Dead to your heart's desire.)

Volkswagen said the Bulli has zero emissions and can drive up to 186.4 miles on a single battery charge. The Bulli’s electric motor outputs 85 kW of power and 199 lb.-ft of torque. The motor, which runs silently, is supplied with energy from a lithium-ion battery with a maximum storage capacity of 40 kWh. Charging the Bulli’s battery takes less than one hour. The Bulli accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 11.5 seconds, and its top speed is 87 mph.

Said Volkswagen about its new Bulli, “Volkswagen is reinterpreting the compact original form of this automotive legend and sending it into the future – in the form of a concept vehicle for a new generation Bulli! It is spacious like it was in 1950, it is as inspirational as ever, and it has clean styling like never before.”