Volkswagen launches fully electric ID Buzz

Over 70 years ago, Volkswagen introduced its Bulli to the world and the van became a massive hit, spawning several generations of Transporter models and becoming the base for hundreds of thousands of campervans around the world

Photos courtesy of Volkswagen

Now Volkswagen has launched the latest variant – the ID Buzz – a fully electric van or people carrier.

There are two choices initially: the MPV ID Buzz and the ID Buzz Cargo, which offers two or three cab seats and a fixed cargo compartment (big enough to take two pallets apparently). Though this model has been around in concept form for nearly five years, VW has confirmed a launch for autumn this year in Europe with advance orders already possible in some countries.

Volkswagen ID Buzz's green credentials

The vehicle’s 77kWh battery powers a 150kW electric motor driving the rear axle (redolent of the original rear-wheel drive T1). The battery is sandwiched in the floor, for good weight distribution and handling. Charge it up with a CCS connector at a rapid charging point and you should be able to get from 5% to 80% charge in 30 minutes, according to VW.

There’s also a feature called ‘bidirectional’ charging, allowing the van to provide unneeded energy into the home network (it looks like you’ll need a special box for this, though). Other green credentials include the fact that the manufacturing (at the company’s Hannover plant in Germany) and shipping will have a carbon-neutral footprint, while recycled synthetic materials are being used, with no real leather at all.

Driving and safety systems of the ID Buzz

As can be expected, driving and safety systems will be a feature; the Car2X feature is standard, which analyses indicators from other vehicles and roadmarkings to spot potential hazards. Emergency braking is also standard, while the MPV gets lane keeping technology, too.

And, for a more automated driving experience, the ‘Travel Assist with swarm data’ allows for partial self-driving as well as helping with lane changing on motorways.

 

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When can we expect an ID Buzz campervan?

While there are no campervans for now, these models have roughly the same wheelbase as the current T6.1 and are slightly wider, so we expect there’s likely to be campervans based on this new VW, especially as, over the course of the year, a longer wheelbase will join the line-up as well as more interior options.

We’re still waiting to see range figures and weights, and there’s currently no prices, but the look and style of this new model will certainly make for a distinctive campervan.

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