Kindred Motorworks of Vallejo, Calif., is reimagining the cult classic Volkswagen Bus (aka Type 2 Transporter or “T2”) of the 1960s and ’70s. 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.
There’s a catch, however: a hefty $249,000 price tag — that’s more than the cost of a house in some parts of the country. Are they worth it? “We modernize and work with vehicles people just adore,” Greg Clark, Kindred Motorworks’ Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), said. “They’re iconic. But they’re dying.”
There are communities restoring them, ensuring their survival. “What we do is we effectively industrialize and modernize that process,” Clark said. “Kindred Motorworks is formalizing that process and making it repeatable.”
In short: Kindred Motorworks completely restores and reimagines the classic VW Type 2 bus, adding electric power and all the convenience of a modern vehicle.
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.
From Slow to Go
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.
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.
Kindred Motorworks VW Bus’s Nitty Gritty
Kindred’s 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.
They also include an electrically actuated parking brake and roll on 17×7” wheels. Production buses also have an independent rear suspension and double wishbone front suspension, with adjustable coilovers at all four corners.
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.
Driving Impressions
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.
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’re whisked away to your destination with modern amenities and major gusto.
With our travel bunny Bert sitting on the EV bus’s dash, we felt like celebrities piloting this cheery classic. People waved, gave us thumbs-up, even flashed peace signs at us. This tester turned heads and created smiles for miles.
Learning the sequence of its floor shifter wasn’t immediately intuitive, but once rolling, it became easy to use and like second nature.
The bus’s 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’s cars due to aerodynamic requirements and safety measures.
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.
Room for Improvement
I loved driving the Kindred bus, but it wasn’t a perfect experience. The wind noise through our prototype’s thin window frames, for example, was very loud; but it didn’t detract massively from the sunshine-filled fun of driving this classic around California.
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’t fully dialed yet, so we’ll have to take their word for it.
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’s seat, a small concealed rear storage compartment and roof-mounted “glovebox” to house essentials, but only a narrow open shelf under the dash to stow belongings up front. Cupholder access is tough from the driver’s seat. More real-world storage opportunities would be a welcome addition.
Saving Souls
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’s why Kindred plans to sell 12 VW EV Buses this year, ramping up production after that.
“Piloting the EV Bus is a captivating mix of nostalgia and modernity,” Andy said. “You still have many of the old-school features, such as sliding side windows; a huge, thin steering wheel; and plenty of wind noise. That’s contrasted by quick acceleration, near-silent operation at slow speeds, and modern HVAC.”
“Driving a Kindred EV Bus might spoil you for driving other vintage buses,” Andy continues. “Its operation is simple, smooth, and downright enjoyable. There’s no oil to leak, no worries about whether it’s going to start, and it even has a one-year factory warranty.” 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.
The Original Bus, But Enhanced?
Going electric definitely changes the experience of driving a VW T2, but what do classic bus owners think?
“I’ve been an air-cooled Volkswagen enthusiast since my teenage years,” said Jeff Zurschmeide, a seasoned automotive journalist and VW aficionado. “I love my original 1971 Type 2 (T2) Panel Van for its utility, its fun-to-drive demeanor, and silky-smooth ride.”
“If you replace the engine and driveline with electric, I think it would be difficult not to overpower the brakes and suspension, “ Zurschmeide continued. “Ultimately, this is a classic vehicle, and it will see maybe 500 miles a year of use, so it’s 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.”
Car enthusiast Harry Danburg owns a 1970 Volkswagen Kombi Bus. “It always brings positive responses from people wherever she goes. For me (I’m almost 73), it’s 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.”
Danburg would never electrify the bus. “For non-electric cars, I feel it is always a kludge and leads to serviceability issues.” He has no fundamental objection to vehicles being electric. “In 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.”
Summing It Up
“Sure, 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,” Andy said. “But those who want the look and functionality of a Bus with modern amenities and propulsion will swoon over the Kindred EV Bus.”
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’s a perfect candidate for this kind of resto-modification, and Kindred seems to have done a great job modernizing it.
When you’re piloting a Kindred EV Bus and a guy nearly falls off his Harley because he’s screaming about how much he loves your ride, that says you’ve 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’s a huge part of the Kindred’s appeal. Now you just need to pony up the considerable cash to call one your own.
