There is a FB electric vanagon group with over 2thousand members.  At least that is what it looked like when I last looked.  I only go on once a month or so, and only check that group a couple times a year.  But sometimes I read a post and there are folks driving electric vanagons.

Eric 

> On Mar 17, 2023, at 4:15 PM, Bruce Todd <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> You are right Dan currently it is not very practical due to the points you
> raise - hopefully over time this will change and will provide a solution to
> the mounting challenges of owning a Vanagon.
> 
> BT
> 
> 
> 
> On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 12:48 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> it's a good idea Bruce... but
>> 
>> - will there be an EV engine + batteries weighing the same as a 2.1 WBX
>> (or a Subie engine)?
>> - will there be enough charger stations in remote locations where "We"
>> (vanagoneers) like to go?
>> - prices: GW 2.5 WBX is around $6K (plus labor) - a 2.2. or 2.5 subaru
>> conversion is around $15K
>> 
>> The idea of an EV engine is wonderful for the environment and other
>> issues... but
>> 
>> What will be the price and how long to wait for it...?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 12:20 PM Bruce Todd <beeceetee@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> All the more reason to pray for a long range electric Vanagon motor to
>>> keep
>>> our beasts on the road longer without nearly as much pollution.  Just
>>> think
>>> no cooling system whatsoever, no exhaust, no noisy or stuck valves or head
>>> replacements, no discussions about synthetic vs regular oil - except for
>>> maybe the transmission.  I could remove the oil temp and pressure gauges
>>> from my dash...but of course we can always chat about tires!
>>> 
>>> Bruce
>>> 
>>> On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 11:51 AM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> *"And from my perspective, would the person servicing it be capable?"*
>>>> 
>>>> Well... they will say they are capable because they have the Bentley
>>> book
>>>> on the shelf... and the real capable mechanic is busy jumping from one
>>> van
>>>> to another to help solve the problems...
>>>> 
>>>> I have a story... my daughter was travelling recently with her '90
>>> tintop
>>>> from Oregon to Arizona. In Tucson a little rubber hose connected to the
>>>> thermostat tower blew. She found a shop in Tucson and waited for 3 days
>>> to
>>>> have a spot for repairs. They replaced the hose and some other
>>> unnecessary
>>>> stuff. On her way back to Oregon, some hundred miles north of Tucson,
>>> the
>>>> coolant light blinked (not overheated). I told her to check the coolant
>>>> level in the expansion reservoir, it's very low (they didn't bleed
>>>> properly)... she filled it up. Some hundred miles later, the same thing
>>>> happened. I told her to check the level every morning before hitting the
>>>> road. She happened near the GW store so I told to get a new blue cap and
>>>> have the cooling system bleed well. No one had a spot for her and GW
>>> didn't
>>>> do it. So I have to instruct her how to bleed over the phone and email.
>>> She
>>>> did it with the help of her boyfriend. They made it home safely.
>>>> 
>>>> So... yes... There are still some good mechanics with experiences on
>>>> vanagon out there... BUT... how many young ones want to learn to replace
>>>> them after they are gone?
>>>> 
>>>> On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 11:03 AM David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> In part, this is a matter of "aging out."  If these folks are to stay
>>> in
>>>>> business, they must hire young folks into their shops.  There just
>>> aren't
>>>>> enough old folks who know our vehicles still around.  Just this past
>>>> week,
>>>>> I tried to set up a shop visit for my camper.  Best shop locally by
>>>>> reputation is one called European Auto Haus.  Best tech there used to
>>> be
>>>>> "Obie," who was trained in Germany on VWs back in the day.  He was
>>> super.
>>>>> But Obie of course could not work forever.  He had to move on to
>>>>> retirement, well deserved.  Sadly, European Auto Haus responded by
>>> saying
>>>>> that there are six Vanagons in shop currently for work, but none of
>>> them
>>>>> will get serviced before summer, and that they could not promise a
>>> date
>>>> for
>>>>> my van earlier than
>>>>> August.  And from my perspective, would the person servicing it be
>>>>> capable?  mcneely
>>>>> 
>>>>> On Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 10:52 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> The recent post about why do you purchase from Amazon reminded me of
>>>> the
>>>>>> good old days of purchasing from our venders like Vanagain.  One of
>>> the
>>>>>> best things was that I could ask questions about the products
>>>> especially
>>>>>> about correct fit or how to install.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>        I realize that now, Ken is the only vender that I can still
>>> do
>>>>>> that with.  He is incredibly generous with his time.  I really don’t
>>>> know
>>>>>> how he does it and runs a family business as well.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> In tech emergencies I have called Ken and he has answered the phone
>>> and
>>>>>> helped.  Last time was when a friend was helping to install Ken’s
>>> power
>>>>>> steering rack. It was a simple thing but we would not have figured
>>> it
>>>> out
>>>>>> without Ken answering the call.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>        I try not to call unless I need to.  Another time when a
>>> friend
>>>>>> was here we were stuck and called Dennis.  And sure enough he
>>> talked us
>>>>>> through the problem.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> In the old days I used to talk to folks at Bus depot, but though I
>>>> really
>>>>>> appreciate the business, and I hope to drop in to visit one day, the
>>>>> folks
>>>>>> on the phone can’t help with issues, as they don’t know VW buses.
>>> And,
>>>>>> sadly the site is very hard for me to use. They do however, have a
>>> lot
>>>> of
>>>>>> great bus items and nice to have them on my coast!
>>>>>> Van Cafe, was great before it was sold.  Peter and others there
>>> talked
>>>> me
>>>>>> through many part installations.But, that ended.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I even once got tech help from GW, but they don’t seem to do work
>>> there
>>>>>> any longer. Though to be fair, They were very helpful in emailing
>>>>>> information back about specific products like how to update the
>>> engine
>>>>>> management system.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> So, I really appreciate that Ken sends out help videos, has useful
>>>>>> articles and info on his site, and I don’t know how he does it, but
>>>> even
>>>>>> answered the phone and gave help directly.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I do miss the days of calling the different venders to make orders,
>>> and
>>>>>> get personal direction on the products.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I think they mean well, but other then Ken I don’t think vanagon or
>>> VW
>>>>> bus
>>>>>> people answer the phone, or can directly assist.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Hang in they're Ken.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Eric Caron
>>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>>