Last year, Volkswagen announced its plans to built the fourth generation micro-bus. Called the ID Buzz models are slated to come off the assembly line in 2022. Just recently, however, and you could see this coming, VW announced the commercial version of the ID Buzz. Simply called the ID Buzz Cargo Van, this vehicle is posed to be a game changer.
Range
Of intense interest to perspective, buyers are the ID Buzz Cargo Van’s driving range. VW says there are various options. The van can be fitted with batteries as small as 48 kWh, which can be charged up to 80 percent in 15 minutes on a 150-kW fast charger, or with batteries as large as 111 kWh, which takes 30 minutes to charge up to 80 percent. The driving range, thus, with full load of people and cargo will be between 200 and 340 miles The sales guys at Winner VW (Dover DE) told us that the van also can charge via an optional inductive charger and can add up to 10 miles of range with a solar panel roof.
Commercial details
VW fitted 20-inch wheels onto the ID Buzz Cargo Van concept instead of the ID Buzz’s stylish 22-inchers. The Cargo Van’s payload capacity is 1,760 pounds, and the front and rear axle have been pushed out compared to the standard ID Buzz for more interior room. VW says the cargo concept’s electric motor drives the rear wheels only, although four-wheel drive would be available.
The electric motor in the cargo van produces 201 horsepower and is limited to a top speed of 99 mph. The cargo van uses split rear wing doors to open from the back, with a fold-out workbench and 230-volt plug available to power tools if needed.
People mover
The ID Buzz cargo van sports three seats in the front, although it’s not a throwback bench seat. The Cargo van concept uses a single driver’s seat and a long bench on the passenger’s side that can fit two people. (Sound familar antique Microbus owner’s?) The center seat can be flipped down to offer a flat workspace. The driver’s side doesn’t offer a rear-sliding door for more flexible shelving inside the van, but the passenger’s side sports a power-sliding side door.
Light weight materials
According to VW, the ID Buzz cargo van rides atop a 129.9-inch wheelbase, at nearly 200 inches long and 77.8 inches wide. That’s about an inch narrower than the VW Atlas, but nearly the same length. VW’s stated range and battery size mean that the van will be made of ultra-lightweight materials. By comparison, the Chevrolet Bolt EV uses 60-kwh batteries to achieve a 238-mile EPA-rated range and weighs 3,580 pounds.
Just two more years
Commercial buyers will be able to purchase the ID Buzz Cargo Van in 2022. Pricing has not been revealed yet but it is going to have to be competitive with others, including fossil fuel powered, in the marketplace.