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Interesting idea. If you get a live rear axle from a RWD car or truck and mount the electric motor to the pinion (where the drive shaft normally would go) with a 1 way clutch that would be a fairly simple set up.
If it is a good idea (only you know if it's worth it), you could really get better mpg's by adding a steam engine / generator combo in the back of the van to charge the batteries. The steam would come from the engine exhaust heat. Remember 2/3 to 3/4 of the energy from the gas is waste heat. You would need to make up a double wall insulated exhaust pipe to maximize the heat transfer from the engine and do a few other things, but could easily recapture 5-10 hp maybe more.
jb
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