I've seen two electric Vanagons, each posted for sale a couple years ago. Both sold.
  Motor in back, batteries under back seat. None of the passenger area was used.

  I've seen a 40 person BATTERY electric city bus.  I rode on it in Sheboygan Wisconsin.  It was configured like an enclosed trolley. They used it in the tourist trade area daily in the 1990's.

  So, an electric Vanagon is possible and a city bus is possible.  The person doing the conversion would have to do it because they believe in it, not make a profit.  Heck, I hardy think a Prius owner can justify the costs compared to a 4 cyl.  I believe Toyota is subsidizing some of the hybrid expense also.  Having tax payers foot the bill would help too, which is not too far fetched.

  Chris C
  90mv

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  It's not that it can't be done. It's pointless.
Where will the seven passengers sit?

True, you sure can fit a lot of batteries in
there, and you will need to , in order to
overcome the weight of the vehicle and the
batteries.

And all those extra batteries will add weight.

Paul is right- the small car platform is the only
way to go.
Lighter in weight, generally a 1-2 person car.

A Vanagon with all those batteries needed to
overcome it's own weight and the weight of the
batteries will be only a two person vehicle.

Most people give up on the electric Vanagon. I
have never seen one.
I've seen electric Golfs, Rabbit's, Hondas, etc.

I've given up on using my Vanagon as a daily
driver and will soon be driving the 87 Jetta that
gets 35 mpg.

City busses run on electricity but only by using
overhead supply wires and a caternary.

If city busses had their own batteries, they
would be too heavy, which is why they use the
external power supply,  like subways.

Robert
1982 Westfalia