Classic 1966 VW Bus With Green Drivetrain: Solar-Powered Electric Motor

Solar-powered electric 1966 Volkswagen bus owned by Daniel Theoblad

Enlarge Photo

Solar-powered cars are typically custom-built affairs that prioritize function over form.

Their shapes are usually dictated by aerodynamics and the placement of solar panels, and there's often room for only one occupant.

But this solar-powered vehicle has a whole lot more style.

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It's a 1966 Volkswagen bus converted to electric power, and sporting a solar panel on its roof.

The creative conversion was done by Daniel Theobald--CTO of healthcare IT company Vecna Technologies--and can be seen cruising the streets of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Theobald bought the Volkswagen in 2013, and has been using it for short trips within the city since completing the modifications, according to Boston Magazine.

Solar-powered electric 1966 Volkswagen bus owned by Daniel Theoblad

Enlarge Photo The solar panel on the bus' roof almost makes it look like Theobald is carrying a piece of plywood or drywall, but he reportedly wanted to go a step further from building a plug-in electric car.

Onboard solar power was chosen to help shrink the car's carbon footprint by sidestepping any possible emissions associated with grid electricity.

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Theobald says the solar panel provides enough energy for the VW's battery pack that it never needs to be plugged in.

Modifications were made with a team of Theobald's coworkers from Vecna. Another employee recently purchased a Volkswagen Beetle, and there are plans to convert that to solar power as well.

Solar-powered electric 1966 Volkswagen bus owned by Daniel Theoblad

Enlarge Photo The Volkswagen bus' classic styling and association with 1960s and '70s pop culture still make it popular today--and not just among electric-car converters.

That's why VW itself has considered building a modern tribute to this iconic vehicle.

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The company has shown multiple concepts, and board member Heinz-Jakob Neusser said earlier this year that engineers were working on an all-electric bus successor.

No news about that project has surfaced since, but such a combination of retro styling and electric power could make for a pretty cool urban runabout.

[hat tip: John C. Briggs]

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Source: Classic 1966 VW Bus With Green Drivetrain: Solar-Powered Electric Motor