- Volkswagen makes second appearance at The Amelia with vehicles to match show’s 2021 historic electric vehicle theme
- Volkswagen to debut 1979 electric Bus from its collection to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
- All-new ID.4 EV to participate in ‘Taking Charge’ parade of EVs ahead of show
Herndon, VA— Volkswagen will showcase the past and present of its electric vehicle innovation at the 2021 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance through a display of its all-new electric ID.4 and a 1979 Elektrotransporter. Based on a Volkswagen Type 2, this rare vehicle was originally used by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
The Elektrotransporter, owned by Volkswagen of America, will be displayed in homage to one of the themes of the show, historic electric vehicles. During the 1960s and ‘70s, Volkswagen produced a handful of electric Buses and Golf models to test the feasibility of electric propulsion and charging. In 1978 the Electric Power Research Institute bought 10 of the buses to test with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The Elektrotransporter used 24 lead-acid batteries in a 1,225-lb. pack under a raised floor. The electric motor was bolted directly to the existing bus transmission, locked permanently in second gear, driving the rear wheels. With only 23 hp on tap, the bus had a top speed of just 48 mph, but did offer an early version of regenerative braking, now standard across modern EVs. Volkswagen of America recently acquired one of these early, unique electric vehicles for its historic fleet and plans to return it to running condition.
In addition to the Bus, the all-new ID.4, named 2021 World Car of the Year, will be on display at Volkswagen’s show stand and will participate in the Take Charge EV Parade on Sunday morning. The ID.4 is Volkswagen’s first fully electric SUV and has generated strong consumer interest since it first reached U.S. dealers this March.
“We’re excited to share two amazing Volkswagen electric vehicles with the public,” said Hein Schaefer, Senior Vice President, Product Marketing. “Volkswagen has a history of forward thinking and the ID.4 is only the first step in our plans to make electric vehicle innovation truly attainable for everyone.”
Both EVs will be on display from May 22nd to May 23rd at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, taking place at the Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island, Florida.
Images courtesy of Volkswagen