VW E-Transporter conversion

The VW e-Transporter puts an electric drivetrain into the layout Transporter owners know and love. If you’re coming from a T5 or T6, this may be your natural electric upgrade with its familiar dimensions, familiar proportions, but with the quiet efficiency and lower running costs of full electric. 

The new e-Transporter T7 shares its platform with the Ford E-Transit Custom through a Ford-VW partnership. From the windscreen backwards, they’re essentially identical. They have the same chassis, the same body, and the same interior dimensions. The differences are mainly cosmetic: grilles, badges, dashboard styling. 

At Sunbox Campers, we convert both versions. Whether you choose VW or Ford badges, you get the same proven conversion, the same quality, and the same year-round off-grid capability. 

VW E-Transporter at a Glance 

Looking for an Electric VW California? 

VW doesn’t currently offer an electric California. The T7 California is available with diesel or PHEV, but there’s no fully electric version — and none has been announced. 

The VW e-Transporter with our conversion is the closest thing available: the familiar Transporter layout, fully electric, with proper campervan capability including a Reimo pop-top roof, rock’n’roll bed, and full kitchen. It’s essentially what an electric California would be — built by specialists rather than the factory. 

For more on VW’s electric campervan plans, see our blog: Everything We Know About the VW ID California

How Does the VW e-Transporter Compare? 

We convert three electric van platforms. Here’s how they compare: 

The e-Transporter’s strength: Maximum interior space, gas heating for year-round off-grid camping, and the familiar Transporter layout. Its limitation is range — if that’s your priority, consider the e-Scudo or ID Buzz. 

VW e-Transporter or Ford E-Transit Custom? 

If you’ve been researching electric vans, you might have noticed the VW e-Transporter and Ford E-Transit Custom look remarkably similar. That’s because they’re the same vehicle underneath. 

Ford and VW announced a partnership in 2019 to share van development. What this means for you: 

• Both vans use identical electric systems: same battery, same motor, same charging capability 

• Our conversions fit both identically: same Reimo roof, same furniture, same layouts • VW badges often command higher resale values 

For the full story on who makes what in the Ford-VW partnership, see our blog: The Ford-VW Partnership Explained

Why the VW e-Transporter / E-Transit Custom? 

The Familiar Layout 

If you’ve owned a VW Transporter campervan before — a T5 or T6 — the e-Transporter feels very familiar. The layout that’s worked for decades of Transporter campervans works just as well here. 

Year-Round Off-Grid Capability

Unlike the VW ID Buzz, the e-Transporter’s commercial van chassis allows gas installation. We can fit a Propex gas heater that runs from a small gas bottle, providing reliable warmth without draining your leisure battery. Wild camp in Scotland in February if you want to. 

Why can’t electric campervans have electric heating? See our guide: Electric Campervan Heating Explained 

Genuine 4-Berth for Families 

The e-Transporter’s generous interior width (~1,780mm between wheel arches) means comfortable sleeping space for two adults downstairs. Add a Reimo pop-top roof and you have genuine 4-berth capability: two adults below, two more in the roof. 

Real-World Electric Range 

The 64kWh battery delivers 150-170 miles in real-world driving. That’s the shortest range of our three electric options (e-Scudo offers 170-180 miles, ID Buzz 180-230 miles) — but for many use cases, it’s plenty, and this vehicle does have exceptionally fast charging. 

If range is your priority, consider the e-Scudo or ID Buzz. If the Transporter space, layout and off-grid heating matters more, 150-170 miles works very well for many customers. 

Is a Full Electric Campervan Right for You? 

Full electric makes sense if: 

• You have home charging. Overnight charging transforms the ownership experience. 

• You want lower running costs and environmental impact. Electric is cheaper per mile and produces zero tailpipe emissions. 

• You enjoy the driving experience. 

We also offer the Ford Transit Custom PHEV (and VW Transporter eHybrid when available) on this same platform. See our PHEV Transporter page for that option. 

Consider the PHEV option if: 

• You regularly do longer journeys where charging infrastructure doesn’t suit you • You want electric benefits for local driving but petrol backup for touring • Range anxiety is a real concern and you’d rather not think about charging 

Two Designs for the e-Transporter 

We offer two proven designs, each with a different bed and seating configuration. Both include the same quality of craftsmanship, materials, and finish. 

E-Mandalay 

Reimo pop-top roof with Reimo Vario rock’n’roll bed — up to 5 belted seats

From £27,599 inc VAT

The E-Mandalay is our most versatile conversion for this platform. The Reimo Vario bed converts from rear-facing seats during the day to a double bed at night — with two three-point seatbelts, giving you up to five belted travelling seats in total (three in the front, two in the rear). 

The Reimo pop-top roof adds genuine 4-berth capability: two adults downstairs, two more (typically children or smaller adults) in the roof bed. 

E-Mandalay includes: 

• Reimo elevating pop-top roof with choice of canvas colour 

• Reimo Vario 2-berth rock’n’roll bed with two three-point seatbelts (up to 5 belted seats total) 

• Hand-built wooden furniture in your choice of finish 

• Solid wood worktops and removable table 

• Natural fibre insulation and carpet lining 

• Luxury upholstery in your choice of fabric 

• Blackout curtains in your choice of colour 

• Vinyl flooring in your choice of style 

• Leisure battery and battery-to-battery charging system 

• USB/USB-C and 240V sockets 

• LED lighting throughout 

• Water tank and stainless steel sink 

• Fridge 

• Hob (gas or induction — see packages below) 

Optional extras: Propex gas heating, solar panels, extra windows, portaloo, pop-top roof bed (2-berth) 

E-Chamonix 

Reimo pop-top roof with extendable bench/slat bed — 3 belted seats 

From £23,999 inc VAT

The E-Chamonix features an extendable bench that converts to a double slat bed, with three belted seats in the front. Without a rock’n’roll bed in the rear, the layout offers a different interior configuration — some customers prefer the simplicity and the slightly different use of space. 

E-Chamonix includes: 

• Reimo elevating pop-top roof with choice of canvas colour 

• Extendable bench/double slat bed (2-berth) 

• 3 belted seats (front only) 

• Hand-built wooden furniture in your choice of finish 

• Solid wood worktops and removable table

• Natural fibre insulation and carpet lining 

• Luxury upholstery in your choice of fabric 

• Blackout curtains in your choice of colour 

• Vinyl flooring in your choice of style 

• Leisure battery and battery-to-battery charging system 

• USB/USB-C and 240V sockets 

• LED lighting throughout 

• Water tank and stainless steel sink 

• Fridge 

• Hob (gas or induction — see packages below) 

Optional extras: Propex gas heating, solar panels, extra windows, portaloo, pop-top roof bed (2-berth) 

Optional extras pricing:
Propex gas heating £1,680
Solar panels £960
Opening window £348
Inverter to power a laptop (off-grid) £228

Gas or Electric Package 

Within both designs, you choose between two equipment packages for cooking and electrical systems. 

Gas Package (Included) 

• Gas hob 

• Standard leisure battery 

• Battery-to-battery charging system 

The gas package keeps things simple and cost-effective. Your cooking is independent of your electrical system, so you can cook regardless of battery state. This is the traditional campervan approach — proven, reliable, and familiar. 

For more detail, see: Gas vs Electric Package — Which Should You Choose? 

Electric Package (+£2,160 inc VAT) 

Everything in the gas package, except: 

• Induction hob (instead of gas hob) 

• Lithium battery (instead of standard leisure battery) 

Plus: 

• 2000W pure sine wave inverter 

• Solar panel system 

The electric package lets you cook without any gas on board — fully electric camping. The lithium battery and inverter provide the power needed to run an induction hob, while solar panels help keep everything topped up off-grid.

Which to choose? The gas package costs less and offers simpler, more reliable cooking. The electric package appeals to those who want to avoid gas entirely. Both packages can have Propex gas heating added as an optional extra — this is separate from your cooking choice. 

Propex Gas Heating 

For year-round off-grid camping, we recommend adding Propex gas heating to your conversion. 

The Propex heater runs from a small gas bottle (separate from cooking gas if you’ve chosen a gas hob, or standalone if you’ve chosen the electric package). It provides reliable warmth without draining your leisure battery — essential for winter camping or Scottish adventures. 

This is one of the e-Transporter’s key advantages over the ID Buzz: the commercial van chassis allows safe gas installation. If you plan to camp off-grid in cold weather, gas heating transforms what’s possible. 

The Sunbox Quality 

At Sunbox Campers, we build beautiful campervans by hand — more atelier than factory. Every conversion is crafted by skilled joiners at our East Sussex workshop using sustainable materials. 

Handcrafted Interiors 

Our vans feature hand-built wooden furniture throughout. No flat-pack, no shortcuts. Skilled carpenters create solid wood worktops, cabinets, and tables that are built to last and lovely to live with. 

Sustainable Materials 

We use FSC-certified wood, Thermafleece natural insulation (sheep’s wool for superior thermal and acoustic performance), and quality fabrics including Chieftain Earthly (100% recycled) for customers who want them. Sustainability matters to us — we believe you can build beautiful campervans without compromising on environmental responsibility. 

Your Personal Touch 

Every conversion includes choices that make it yours: 

• Flooring: Style and colour from our Polyflor range 

• Upholstery: Fabric from our curated selection 

• Wood finish: Multiple stain and treatment options 

• Interior lining: Carpet or wood in various colours 

• Curtains: Blackout curtains in your choice of colour 

VW e-Transporter T7 Specifications

Vehicle Sourcing 

We can help source your e-Transporter or E-Transit Custom. We’re building relationships with VW and Ford dealers and can help you find a competitively priced base vehicle that fits your ideal specification. 

Or source your own. If you find an e-Transporter or E-Transit Custom yourself, we’re happy to convert it. We can advise on what to look for. 

Base vehicle pricing: From £32,400+ (used) 

Warranty and Aftercare 

Conversion warranty: 

• 24-month warranty on our conversion (workmanship and installed components) 

Vehicle warranties: 

• VW: 3-year / 60,000-mile warranty; 8-year / 100,000-mile battery warranty • Ford: 3-year / 100,000-mile warranty; 8-year / 100,000-mile battery warranty 

What you can expect from us: 

• Comprehensive handover with full walkthrough of all systems 

• Ongoing support — we’re here to help long after your van leaves our workshop The Conversion Process 

1. Consultation 

We discuss your needs, budget, and how you’ll use the camper. This helps us recommend the right design, package, and options — and whether full electric, PHEV, or a different platform makes the most sense for your situation.

2. Base Vehicle 

Either we help source your e-Transporter or E-Transit Custom, or you bring us a van you’ve found yourself. 

3. Design Choices 

You select your flooring, upholstery, wood finish, lining, and curtains from our range of options. This is where your campervan starts to feel like yours. 

4. Build 

Our skilled craftspeople convert your van at our Newhaven workshop. Build time depends on specification and current order book — we’ll give you realistic timelines from the start. 

5. Handover 

Comprehensive walkthrough of all systems, handover documentation, and the keys to your new electric campervan. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the VW e-Transporter really the same as the Ford E-Transit Custom? 

Yes — they share the same platform through a Ford-VW partnership. Same chassis, same body (from windscreen back), same interior dimensions, same electric drivetrain. The differences are essentially cosmetic: front-end styling, badges, some dashboard details. For a campervan conversion, they’re identical. 

Is there an electric VW California? 

Not yet. VW offers the T7 California with diesel or PHEV, but no fully electric version has been announced. The e-Transporter with our conversion is the closest alternative — the familiar Transporter layout, fully electric, with proper campervan capability. 

Why is the range shorter than the e-Scudo or ID Buzz? 

The e-Transporter has a 64kWh battery, compared to 75kWh in the e-Scudo and 79kWh in the ID Buzz. There’s currently no larger battery option for this platform. For some customers this matters; for others, 150-170 miles is plenty for their typical trips. If range is your priority, consider our other electric options. 

Can you install gas heating in an electric van? 

Yes — we install Propex gas heaters that run from a small gas bottle, providing reliable off-grid warmth year-round. This is one of the e-Transporter’s advantages over the ID Buzz, where the chassis doesn’t permit gas installation. 

Should I wait for a larger battery option? 

There’s no confirmed timeline for a larger battery on this platform. If 150-170 miles real-world range works for your typical use, the current e-Transporter is a capable choice. If you need more range, consider the e-Scudo or ID Buzz — or the PHEV version of this platform, which removes range concerns entirely. 

What’s the difference between E-Mandalay and E-Chamonix?

E-Mandalay has a Reimo Vario rock’n’roll bed (converts from seats to bed) with up to 5 belted seats — three in the front, two in the rear. E-Chamonix has an extendable bench/slat bed with 3 belted seats in the front only — no rear seats. 

How long does charging take? 

At a 125kW rapid charger, expect around 40 minutes from 10-80%. Home charging overnight typically takes 8-10 hours from empty on a 7kW wallbox. The smaller battery means relatively quick charging times compared to larger-battery alternatives. 

Where do I get the vehicle serviced? 

At any VW or Ford dealer, depending on which badge you choose. Both brands warranty and service through their dealer networks. Ford dealers have been working with this platform longer (it’s their design), but VW dealers are fully equipped to service the e-Transporter. 

How long does a conversion take? 

Typically 4-6 weeks depending on specification and current order book. We’ll give you realistic timelines when you join our build queue. 

Next Steps 

Get in touch to discuss your requirements. We’re happy to talk through whether the e-Transporter, ID Buzz, e-Scudo, or PHEV option makes the most sense for your situation — there’s no hard sell, just honest advice. 

Need more range? Take a look at our e-Scudo and ID Buzz conversions. 

Prefer a PHEV? See our Transit Custom PHEV / Transporter eHybrid page for the plug-in hybrid option on this platform. Coming soon.

Want to understand the Ford-VW partnership? Read our blog: The Ford-VW Partnership Explained 

We’re easy to reach from London and the South East, with customers coming from across the UK. You’re welcome to visit our workshop to see completed conversions and discuss your project in person.