VW postpones 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, which would exceed the limit for a European category B driving license. Instead, VW will unveil a concept called the "California Concept" based on the Multivan with a hybrid drivetrain. The production version is planned for next summer. Despite the delay, the ID.Buzz is in high demand and Volkswagen is working on developing new battery technology for future camper versions.

FutureCar Staff Aug 15, 2023 9:57 AM PT

VW postpones release of ID.Buzz California electric camper

If you were eagerly anticipating the release of the Volkswagen ID.Buzz California, the full-fledged electric camper version, you'll have to wait a bit longer. Volkswagen has confirmed that they are still working on it, but it won't be available anytime soon.

Despite the high demand for an electric camper version of the ID.Buzz, Volkswagen has stated 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 European category B driving license limit of 3.5 tons total weight, based on the payload. As a result, the upcoming VW California 6.1 will not be based on the ID.Buzz and will instead be named the Multivan.

However, Volkswagen will be unveiling its "California Concept" at the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon from August 25 to September 3, 2023. This concept will be based on VW's Multivan with a long wheelbase and hybrid drivetrain. Production of the concept is expected to begin next summer at VW Commercial Vehicles in Hannover, Germany.

Volkswagen is not ruling out the possibility of an ID.Buzz California in the future, but 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, which VW will continue to develop over the next few years.

While the electric camper version of the ID.Buzz has been delayed, the standard ID.Buzz has already seen high demand since its launch last year. In the first half of this year, 2,279 ID.Buzz models were registered, and the number reached 536 in July. This growth has helped Volkswagen surpass Tesla in EV registrations in Germany through July.

Although Volkswagen currently lacks the technology to make the ID.Buzz California practical, other companies have proven that all-electric campers are possible. Companies like Winnebago offer fully electric campers, and others provide extension kits for existing vehicles. Mercedes-Benz has also released its VAN.EA platform, which will host its next-generation electric vans, including campers.

While it may take some time for Volkswagen to develop the necessary technology, they have recently partnered with outside companies to outsource EV tech, such as XPeng and Hyundai Mobis.