A 1974 Volkswagen has no business being an EV. That's why these Michigan students are building one

Students at Washtenaw Community College are transforming a 1974 Volkswagen “Thing” into a fully electric vehicle as part of the school’s transportation technologies program. The project goes beyond restoration, challenging students to adapt modern EV systems to a vintage car with no existing blueprint, while developing skills in safety, diagnostics, and problem solving. Faculty emphasize the demand for technicians with these abilities as the automotive industry shifts toward electric vehicles. The car, expected to debut at the 2027 Detroit Auto Show and Autorama, represents both hands-on learning and the evolving future of automotive work.