VW Transporter eHybrid (PHEV)

Electric around town, petrol for the long haul. Available now as the Ford Transit Custom PHEV.

VW Transporter eHybrid Campervan Conversion

The plug-in hybrid drivetrain on the Transporter T7. Same conversion, same two designs.

A plug-in hybrid Transporter lets you do shorter journeys on electric and longer ones on petrol, so there’s no range anxiety and no planning around chargers. The VW Transporter eHybrid badge is expected in the UK in 2026; the same van is available now as the Ford Transit Custom PHEV, on the shared Ford and VW platform. We convert both, identically, in our Mandalay and Chamonix designs. If you want a plug-in hybrid Transporter today, Ford is the route; when the VW eHybrid arrives, we’ll convert that too.

A complete campervan

What you actually get to camp with.

Sleeps two, or four with the pop-top and its integrated roof bed
A proper double bed: a crash-tested rock and roll bed on rails (Mandalay) or a double slat bed (Chamonix)
A full side kitchen: gas hob, sink with pump, fridge and a solid wood worksurface
A 200Ah lithium battery with Victron charging and a 240V hook-up, as standard
Year-round off-grid heating available (gas or diesel)
Up to five belted seats on the Mandalay (three front, two rear)
Electric for local driving (up to around 35 miles), petrol for the long runs, no range anxiety

Why a plug-in hybrid Transporter

No range anxiety

Shorter trips happen on electric; when the battery runs low the petrol engine takes over on its own. You can fill up at any petrol station or top up at any charger, so a long tour or a remote spot is never a problem.

Greener than diesel, if you use the electric mode

If a meaningful share of your miles fit within the roughly 35-mile electric range (regular shorter trips, local exploring on holiday), those miles happen on electric and cleaner. The longer drives use petrol. It’s a great way to cut your impact without the limits of full electric.

Available now, on a proven system

The Ford Transit Custom PHEV is on sale today, using Ford’s 2.5L Atkinson hybrid, the same system proven in the Ford Kuga PHEV since 2019. When the VW Transporter eHybrid arrives in 2026, it will use exactly this Ford hybrid system with VW badges.

The same van as the Ford Transit Custom PHEV

The VW Transporter and the Ford Transit Custom are the same vehicle underneath, built on one platform through a Ford and VW partnership: same body, same interior dimensions, same powertrains. The plug-in hybrid is available now with Ford badges and arrives with VW badges in 2026. Our conversion fits both identically, so you can have a PHEV Transporter camper today as a Ford, or wait for the VW.

designs

Our two designs

The conversion is the same whichever drivetrain you choose.

Mandalay

Crash-tested rock and roll bed on rails with up to six belted seats and a side kitchen. Our most versatile layout, and a 4-berth with the pop-top.

From

£27,357 inc VAT

Chamonix

Double slat bed with three front seats and a side kitchen. A simpler, open layout.

From

£27,357 inc VAT.

Pricing

One base conversion price buys a complete campervan, ready to camp, including the pop-top, a 200Ah lithium system with Victron charging, curtains and the full interior. You add only the extra options you want (off-grid heating £1,680, solar £960, windows from £320), and buy the vehicle separately. Your total is conversion + any extras + vehicle.

Conversion

Mandalay

Chamonix

From, Inc VAT

£20,399

Poptop

SWB, Drivelodge

Reimo V710

From, Inc VAT

£3,200

£6,995

Addons

Roof bed

Colour code

From, Inc VAT

£400

£650

Extras

Gas Heating

Roof Bars

Solar 200W

Solar 400W

Awning

Awning Rail

Electric Heater

Rear Shower

High Cupboard

Bed-on-Rails

Portaloo

Moveable Box

Removable Table

Painted Furniture Chamonix

Painted Furniture Mandalay

Opening Window

Fixed Window

Flyscreen

Dummy Panel

Interior Ply Panels Bamboo

Birch

Painted

High Cupboard

From, Inc VAT

1,680

£838.80

£960

£1,440

£1,300

£249

£1,200

£299

£1,250

£95

£418.80

£490 (Chamonix only)

£959

£599

£390

£350

£400

£300

£400

£600

£480

The base vehicle, bought separately

Vehicle

VW Transporter eHybrid (from 2026)

Ford Transit Custom PHEV (available now)

From, Inc VAT

[confirm]

The VW eHybrid badge is expected in 2026; the Ford Transit Custom PHEV is on sale now. Ask us for current base-vehicle pricing. The PHEV’s roughly 35-mile electric range means it does not qualify for the Plug-in Van Grant, which requires 60 or more electric miles. (Our Caddy Maxi eHybrid, at 70 to 74 miles, does qualify.)

Your total = conversion + any extras + vehicle. The vehicle is invoiced by the dealer; Sunbox invoices the conversion. We’ll give you an itemised quote for your exact specification.

Key specifications

Specifications

Drivetrain

Electric range

Beyond electric

Interior width

Belted seats

Sleeping berths

Off-grid heating

Availability

Plug-in Van Grant

TRANSPORTER eHYBRID / PHEV

2.5L Atkinson petrol plus electric motor (Ford hybrid)

Up to around 35 miles

Petrol, no range limit

Around 1,780 mm

Up to 6 (Mandalay) or 3 (Chamonix)

Up to 4 (with the pop-top)

Available (gas or diesel)

Ford PHEV now; VW eHybrid in 2026

No (range below the 60-mile threshold)

Hybrid, electric or diesel?

All three drivetrains take the same conversion. Here’s how the plug-in hybrid sits against the other two:

Electric range

Then

Range anxiety

Plug-in Van Grant

Best for

eHYBRID PHEV

Up to around 35 miles

Petrol, no limit

None

No

Local electric, long-trip petrol

Electric

150 to 180 miles

Recharge

Plan your charging

Yes

Zero-emission, home charging

Diesel

None

Diesel, the longest range

None

Lowest cost, deepest used market

Get started

Get a quote for a Transporter eHybrid or Transit Custom PHEV conversion

Warranty & aftercare

12-month conversion warranty covering all aspects of our craftsmanship and fitted appliances.
Optional warranty upgradefor extended coverage.
Manufacturer warrantyon new vehicles. You retain the full VW 3-year warranty.
Lifetime support.We're a small business and we want you to enjoy your van and feel confident with it, so don't hesitate to get in touch if anything comes up.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Is the VW Transporter eHybrid available yet?

Not in the UK; it’s expected in 2026. The same plug-in hybrid is on sale now as the Ford Transit Custom PHEV, so you don’t have to wait if hybrid is what you want.

How far does it go on electric?

Up to around 35 miles, then the petrol engine takes over on its own. Enough for most local trips and daily use; longer drives run on petrol.

Does it qualify for the Plug-in Van Grant?

No. The grant requires 60 or more miles of electric range, and the PHEV does around 35. Our Caddy Maxi eHybrid, at 70 to 74 miles, does qualify. If incentives are your main driver, full electric or the Caddy is usually the better choice.

Is it the same as the Ford Transit Custom?

Yes, the same vehicle on the shared platform. We convert both badges identically. The Ford PHEV is available now; the VW eHybrid follows in 2026.

Can I have off-grid heating?

Yes. As with the diesel and electric versions, we can fit a Propex gas heater or a diesel air heater for year-round off-grid warmth.

Ready to start your campervan journey?

Whether you’re looking for a bespoke camper conversion or want to explore the Sunbox Pod range, our team is here to help bring your ideas to life.