This 2000 Volkswagen New Beetle is powered by a 2.0-liter engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. James purchased it in June 2024 and is now ready to transform this front-wheel-drive Beetle into an electric rear-wheel-drive.

The car runs well and is in good overall condition, with new brakes and suspension upgrades designed to handle higher power and torque once converted to electric. Aside from an upgraded radio and some cosmetic touch-ups, the vehicle remains mostly stock. The only rust spots near the sunroof have been patched.

James is no stranger to EV conversions—he already owns a 1969 Karmann Ghia with a Hyper 9 setup. However, for the New Beetle, he envisions a Nissan Leaf motor, delivering twice the current power and a top speed of 100 mph. He plans to use the car as a daily driver, charging it at home overnight, and wants to retain power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning.

If space is a constraint, he’s open to reducing seating to three passengers to accommodate the battery pack if it doesn’t fit in the trunk and engine bay. Ideally, he’d like to work with a conversion shop in Arkansas or neighboring states.

No towing capability is required.