Volkswagen delays ID.Buzz electric camper rollout

author: FutureCar Staff    

If you were eagerly anticipating the release of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz California, an electric camper van, you may have to wait a bit longer. Despite ongoing work, Volkswagen has no plans to release the ID.Buzz California anytime soon.

While fully electric camper vans are indeed possible, VW commercial vehicles will not be offering one in the near future. Despite the high demand for an electric camper version of the ID.Buzz, Volkswagen states that it would be too heavy. According to VW commercial vehicles, equipping the all-electric camper with the same features as the current VW California would result in a weight of at least three tons.

Due to its weight, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz California would exceed the limit for those with a European category B driving license, which allows for a total weight of up to 3.5 tons, including the payload.

As a result, the upcoming VW California 6.1 will not be based on the ID.Buzz and will not retain the same name. Instead, it will be known as the Multivan.

VW will introduce its "California Concept" at the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon, scheduled to take place from August 25 to September 3, 2023. This concept will be based on VW's Multivan, featuring a long wheelbase and hybrid drivetrain.

According to reports, production of the Multivan is planned to begin next summer at VW Commercial Vehicles in Hannover, Germany.

Although Volkswagen is not ruling out the possibility of an ID.Buzz California, bringing it to market within this decade poses a challenge. The camper version would require new battery technology with increased energy density, range, and lower costs, which VW will continue to develop over the next few years.

Despite the delay in releasing the electric camper version, the ID.Buzz has already garnered significant demand since its launch last year. In the first half of this year, 2,279 ID.Buzz models were registered, with an additional 536 registrations in July. This growth has likely propelled Volkswagen ahead of Tesla in EV registrations in Germany through July of this year.

While Volkswagen may not have the necessary technology at present, other companies have proven that all-electric campers are indeed possible. Companies like Winnebago offer all-electric campers, and others provide extension kits for electric campers, such as Alpincamper or TC Conversion. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz has released its VAN.EA platform in May, which will host its next-generation electric vans, including campers.

While it may be a challenge for Volkswagen to bring the ID.Buzz California to market in the near future, the company has recently partnered with external companies, such as XPeng and Hyundai Mobis, to outsource EV technology and continue its development.

FutureCar Staff