Last year, the American electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing company, Neuron EV, released the world’s first modular electric utility vehicle, called the T-ONE. It’s a modular pickup truck that can be easily turned into a dump truck, tractor, or camper van for user convenience. Nearly every significant component can be modified or changed. The T-ONE L is a type of camper/pickup hybrid truck, and the T-ONE B is a pickup truck, the T-ONE C is a dump truck, and the T-ONE V is a camper van – all these versions have removable seating, as well as a dumper and farm plow attachments. The vehicle is expected to reach the market in 2021.
Now there’s another modular EV, called the eBussy, that will also be available in 2021. It’s a bus that can come in ten different body forms, made by a Germany-based company called Electric Brands. The VW Bus-inspired electric microbus has been dubbed as “the most innovative and modular light vehicle in the world.”
It comes in two chassis variants – “off-road” and “standard” (urban) – upon which you can configure the vehicle to function as a pickup, flatbed, minivan, convertible, station wagon, camper, dump truck, off-roader, and various other forms. Another exciting feature is the steering wheel – which can slide from left to right across the dashboard or even stop in the middle for a center-drive position. The steering and pedals are electronically connected to the front wheels, not mechanically, to allow for this additional freedom.
The modular concept and the eBussy’s design were centered around the “Lego principle.” The company created a multi-use chameleon-like EV by providing a series of chassis attachments. The process of adapting the vehicle to your usage needs is quick and easy and can be done anytime, with no special tools or engineering skills required. All you’ll need is a pair of helping hands to remove one module and replace it with another.
Every model is equipped with two battery compartments that contain eight removable lithium-ion battery packs, which together provide 10 kilowatt-hours of power. There is an upgraded version too – packs of 24 batteries, which supply 30 kilowatt-hours to extend driving range. The 10-kWh battery pack is good for 200 km (124 miles), but the 30-kWh battery bumps the range up to 600 km (373 miles). Note, the more massive the load being hauled, the lower the range.
But thanks to the 8 square meters of built-in roof-mounted solar panels, the actual maximum range can be up to 497 miles! That’s right; the eBussy is equipped with solar panels, as well as a regenerative braking system, to extend the range of the vehicle even further by giving you up to 13 kW/h of extra power per day.
The eBussy weighs between 450 kg (992 lbs) and 600 kg (1,322 lbs) but can support loads up to 2,204.6 lbs. It’s all-wheel-drive and provides a surprising 737 lb-ft of torque with just 20 HP! It reaches a top speed of 56 mph.
And it’s cheap too, with the most basic model starting at only €15,800 ($18,525), including VAT – up €28,800 ($33,309) for the off-road camper, which features off-grid amenities like a TV, fridge, and freshwater sink and tank.
Word has it that Electric Brands is planning to establish a network of charging stations for eBussy owners where they’ll be able to exchange depleted batteries for fresh ones. This way, drivers can skip the charging-up-wait altogether!
