Volkswagen delays release of ID.Buzz California electric camper

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【Summary】Volkswagen is delaying the release of the ID.Buzz California electric camper due to its weight, making it too heavy for European driving licenses. Instead, VW will introduce the Multivan as a hybrid concept at the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon. The production version is expected to roll out next summer. While VW acknowledges the demand for an electric camper, they cite the need for new battery technology with increased energy density and range at lower costs as a challenge.

FutureCar Staff Aug 14, 2023 6:36 AM PT

Volkswagen delays release of ID.Buzz California electric camper

If you were eagerly anticipating the release of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz California, a full-fledged electric camper, you'll have to wait a bit longer. Despite ongoing work, Volkswagen has no plans to release this model anytime soon.

Although fully electric camper vans are technically possible, VW commercial vehicles will not be offering one in the near future. The demand for an electric camper version of the ID.Buzz is high, but Volkswagen believes 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.

As a result, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz California would exceed the weight limit for a European category B driving license, which is up to 3.5 tons. This means that the upcoming VW California 6.1 will not be based on the ID.Buzz and will instead be called the Multivan.

VW will be unveiling 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 and will feature a long wheelbase and hybrid drivetrain. The production version is expected to start rolling out next summer at VW Commercial Vehicles in Hannover, Germany.

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

Despite the delay in the electric camper version, the ID.Buzz has already gained significant popularity since its launch last year. In the first half of this year, 2,279 ID.Buzz models were registered, and this number reached 536 in July alone. This growth has likely contributed to Volkswagen surpassing Tesla in EV registrations in Germany through July of this year.

While Volkswagen may not have the technology at the moment to make the ID.Buzz California practical, other companies have demonstrated the feasibility of all-electric campers. Winnebago, for example, offers an all-electric camper, and companies like Alpincamper or TC Conversion provide extension kits. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz has released its VAN.EA platform, which will support its next-generation electric vans, including campers.

Although it may not be possible right now, Volkswagen has been partnering with external companies to outsource EV technology, such as XPeng and Hyundai Mobis. This suggests that the German automaker is actively working towards developing the necessary technology for electric campers.