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Kindred Motorworks of Vallejo, Calif., is reimagining the cult classic Volkswagen Bus (aka Type 2 Transporter or \u201cT2\u201d) of the 1960s and \u201970s.<\/strong> It fully transforms them into the desirable 23-window version and adds electric power, giving owners miles of smiles with more usable power and torque as well as modern amenities. <\/p>\n There\u2019s a catch, however: a hefty $249,000 price tag \u2014 that\u2019s more than the cost of a house in some parts of the country. Are they worth it? \u201cWe modernize and work with vehicles people just adore,\u201d Greg Clark, Kindred Motorworks\u2019 Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), said. \u201cThey\u2019re iconic. But they\u2019re dying.\u201d<\/p>\n There are communities restoring them, ensuring their survival. \u201cWhat we do is we effectively industrialize and modernize that process,\u201d Clark said. \u201cKindred Motorworks is formalizing that process and making it repeatable.\u201d<\/p>\n In short: <\/strong>Kindred Motorworks completely restores and reimagines the classic VW Type 2 bus, adding electric power and all the convenience of a modern vehicle.<\/p>\n Kindred Motorworks was founded in 2019 and started selling production-ready EVs in the fall of 2025, starting with vintage Ford Broncos. Since then, it has released vintage Porsche 911 EVs in March 2026, and now the Volkswagen EV Bus Tailgate Edition. Production on the T2 Buses has already begun, and Kindred delivered the first production unit to its new owner.<\/p>\n 23 windows make for an incredible view out; (photo\/Mercedes Lilienthal)<\/p>\n Original VW T2 buses have a snail-like 0-60 time of around 30 seconds and are typically happiest at around 55 mph, making driving them in modern traffic potentially dicey. Comparatively, the bright yellow Kindred Motorworks EV Bus Tailgate Edition prototype that Andy Lilienthal, my husband and fellow GearJunkie contributor, and I drove makes nearly 300 horsepower and offers scads of thrust, unlike original gas-powered variants, which offer double-digit horsepower at best.<\/p>\n Kindred EV buses employ a 294-horsepower Direct Drive Electric AC motor paired with a single-speed transmission and a 74kWh battery kicking out approximately 200 miles of range, depending on how you drive it. The Kindred EV Bus includes a 6.6kW on-board charger with 120V and 240V support (L1 and L2) and has Level 3 DC fast-charging ability with a CCS plug for public charge-and-go opportunities.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prototype wiring is always a little messy, but it all fits neatly in the old engine compartment; (photo\/Mercedes Lilienthal)<\/p>\n Kindred\u2019s EV buses start life as non-23-window donor buses before converting them to the more desirable and iconic Deluxe 23-window version. Production Buses showcase a sliding ragtop roof, safari-style split windshields, slim Euro bumpers, and modern LED lighting. <\/p>\n They also include an electrically actuated parking brake and roll on 17\u00d77\u201d wheels. Production buses also have an independent rear suspension and double wishbone front suspension, with adjustable coilovers at all four corners.<\/p>\n Interior features include custom leather upholstery, wraparound lounge seating, 180-degree rotating front passenger seat, and a touchscreen multimedia center with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Kindred Motorworks EV Bus showcases an adjustable and removable table, bamboo accents, a backup camera, USB-C charge ability, and an HVAC system that includes AC.<\/p>\n Driving this electrified 1966 Volkswagen T2 Bus feels like stepping into a time capsule. This iconic machine harkens back to 1960s California surf culture or just those who wanted a vehicle that exuded funky personality while getting them from point A to B. <\/p>\n The Kindred EV Bus still manages to evoke that persona, but instead of the clatter of an air-cooled flat-four, you hear the whirring of the EV system as you\u2019re whisked away to your destination with modern amenities and major gusto.<\/p>\n With our travel bunny Bert sitting on the EV bus\u2019s dash, we felt like celebrities piloting this cheery classic. People waved, gave us thumbs-up, even flashed peace signs at us.\u00a0 This tester turned heads and created smiles for miles.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fellow GearJunkie contributor Andy Lilienthal drives the Kindred T2 prototype; (photo\/Mercedes Lilienthal)<\/p>\n Learning the sequence of its floor shifter wasn\u2019t immediately intuitive, but once rolling, it became easy to use and like second nature.<\/p>\n The bus\u2019s original-style steering wheel was huge, particularly compared to any modern vehicle, but was charming. The seating position was very upright and bus-like. Visibility was excellent. You could see out of every window, something lacking in today\u2019s cars due to aerodynamic requirements and safety measures.\u00a0<\/p>\n Our bright yellow prototype was peppy, especially from a dead stop. It easily cruised on the highway, too, unlike original gas versions, which required trudging up hills with hazard lights on. The Kindred Bus handled like a much-improved old-school bus. It was quick, dynamic, and fun.\u00a0<\/p>\n The floor-mounted shifter is a little weird to use at first; (photo\/Mercedes Lilienthal)<\/p>\n I loved driving the Kindred bus, but it wasn\u2019t a perfect experience. The wind noise through our prototype\u2019s thin window frames, for example, was very loud; but it didn\u2019t detract massively from the sunshine-filled fun of driving this classic around California.<\/p>\n The suspension was creaking noticeably while driving, but the engineers assured us it was due to it being a prototype and that the underpinnings weren\u2019t fully dialed yet, so we\u2019ll have to take their word for it.<\/p>\n While the interior of the Kindred bus is very nice, I found there to be a lack of up-front storage space. There is a storage cubby and a dual cupholder behind the driver\u2019s seat, a small concealed rear storage compartment and roof-mounted \u201cglovebox\u201d to house essentials, but only a narrow open shelf under the dash to stow belongings up front. Cupholder access is tough from the driver\u2019s seat. More real-world storage opportunities would be a welcome addition.<\/p>\n Kindred takes Volkswagen T2s from the graveyard and injects new life into their storied history, one VIN at a time. From rust remediation to their airy 23-window transformation, the restoration process is extremely labor-intensive. That\u2019s why Kindred plans to sell 12 VW EV Buses this year, ramping up production after that.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cPiloting the EV Bus is a captivating mix of nostalgia and modernity,\u201d Andy said. \u201cYou still have many of the old-school features, such as sliding side windows; a huge, thin steering wheel; and plenty of wind noise. That\u2019s contrasted by quick acceleration, near-silent operation at slow speeds, and modern HVAC.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDriving a Kindred EV Bus might spoil you for driving other vintage buses,\u201d Andy continues. \u201cIts operation is simple, smooth, and downright enjoyable. There\u2019s no oil to leak, no worries about whether it\u2019s going to start, and it even has a one-year factory warranty.\u201d It has all the personality, versatility, and style of the classic model, but with the no-fuss livability of a modern EV with 200 miles of range.<\/p>\n Going electric definitely changes the experience of driving a VW T2, but what do classic bus owners think?<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been an air-cooled Volkswagen enthusiast since my teenage years,\u201d said Jeff Zurschmeide, a seasoned automotive journalist and VW aficionado. \u201cI love my original 1971 Type 2 (T2) Panel Van for its utility, its fun-to-drive demeanor, and silky-smooth ride.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeff Zurschmeide\u2019s beloved T2 panel van; (photo\/Jeff Zurschmeide)<\/p>\n \u201cIf you replace the engine and driveline with electric, I think it would be difficult not to overpower the brakes and suspension, \u201c Zurschmeide continued. \u201cUltimately, this is a classic vehicle, and it will see maybe 500 miles a year of use, so it\u2019s not producing much pollution and it would be a waste of scarce battery and electric motor resources to electrify this bus, as opposed to just building a nice EV that can do 10,000+ miles per year.\u201d<\/p>\n Car enthusiast Harry Danburg owns a 1970 Volkswagen Kombi Bus. \u201cIt always brings positive responses from people wherever she goes. For me (I\u2019m almost 73), it\u2019s a throwback to the cars I liked as a kid. I feel like I am off on an adventure whenever I just go to the store.\u201d<\/p>\n Harry Danberg\u2019s 1970 Volkswagen Kombi wears decades of personality on its decal-covered lift gate; (photo\/Mercedes Lilienthal)<\/p>\n Danburg would never electrify the bus. \u201cFor non-electric cars, I feel it is always a kludge and leads to serviceability issues.\u201d He has no fundamental objection to vehicles being electric. \u201cIn fact, if you look at the early days of the automobile, electric cars were fairly common. They fell by the wayside due to weight and range issues.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, purists will scoff, as part of the original bus experience is living with the air-cooled gasoline powerplant and vintage powertrain, along with its lack of speed,\u201d Andy said. \u201cBut those who want the look and functionality of a Bus with modern amenities and propulsion will swoon over the Kindred EV Bus.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Its acceleration is rapid, surprising people. The ride is compliant, the steering taut, and its brakes are far better than the drum brakes of yesteryear. It\u2019s a perfect candidate for this kind of resto-modification, and Kindred seems to have done a great job modernizing it.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re piloting a Kindred EV Bus and a guy nearly falls off his Harley because he\u2019s screaming about how much he loves your ride, that says you\u2019ve got a one-of-a-kind head-turning vehicle. Piloting this classic icon made everyone we came across smile, no matter their age, gender, or cultural demographic, and that\u2019s a huge part of the Kindred\u2019s appeal. Now you just need to pony up the considerable cash to call one your own.<\/p>\nFrom Slow to Go<\/h2>\n
Kindred Motorworks VW Bus\u2019s Nitty Gritty<\/h2>\n
Driving Impressions<\/h2>\n
Room for Improvement<\/h2>\n
Saving Souls<\/h2>\n
The Original Bus, But Enhanced?<\/h2>\n
Summing It Up<\/h2>\n