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The Volkswagen ID.Buzz, like many other electrically powered cars, is firmly priced. The 77 kWh battery pack and drive technology are now expensive. The delivery version ID.Buzz Cargo will cost you a minimum of 46,200 euros excl. VAT and BPM lost. For a larger VW Crafter delivery truck on diesel, you spend almost 15,000 euros less. With VAT and BPM, the difference is less than four grand. Because there is no BPM for an electric car and there is for an internal combustion engine car.

Different mindset required

Choosing an electric car, and thus also the ID.Buzz, requires a different mindset. You have to look at the whole cost picture and then compare. After all, the running costs of an electric vehicle are lower than one with a fuel engine, due in part to less maintenance and fewer wearing parts.

Bottom line costs

What matters in the end is the bottom line cost. Over a period of five to seven years, the ID.Buzz will be little or no more expensive than a fuel-powered van or passenger bus. Those who can also use the battery pack as a buffer of power from their own solar panels and use that power back in their homes when the sun is not shining can eventually reduce their electricity bills.

Saling scheme and ID.Buzz

This buffering and utilization in one’s home grid will be especially interesting when the net-metering scheme is phased out soon. That’s the scheme where you can offset the solar energy you generate against your annual electricity consumption at home. That will soon no longer be possible and then it pays to use the solar power directly yourself and/or store it in a battery (bi-directional charging) of an electric car.

ID.Buzz motorhome

Very technical perhaps, but a strong plus for the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. The hardware for delivering to the 220-volt home network is on board and also actively available after a software update later this year. Use as a battery is all the more attractive with the camper version of the ID.Buzz to be introduced later this year. After all, an RV is only driven for a few weeks a year. That one is often at home, so it can act as a buffer and power source just fine.

Pluses and minuses ID.Buzz

For a bus, the ID.Buzz has a nice handy size. As a Cargo, the cargo space is really big enough for many a service technician. The passenger version offers plenty of room for five occupants and their luggage. In addition, the ID.Buzz is just plain fun to watch. He evokes sympathy with his appearance. It is a heartthrob, as evidenced by the many thumbs up from enthusiastic fellow road users.

Very short turning radius

The electric ID.Buzz rides quietly, is smoothly sprung and pulls up nice and smoothly. Bottom plate and chassis are almost identical to those of the Volkswagen ID.5. The turning radius is very short, thanks in part to rear-wheel drive. 11.09 meters is the turning radius! This makes it very agile and a big plus when maneuvering and parking.

Sliding doors

Space is more than enough. You can actually see that already. The sliding doors (electric opening and closing) allow you to get into the back seat effortlessly, and there is considerable legroom. The lever for the transmission is on the steering column. This eliminates the need for a fixed console between the front seats. The ID.Buzz has a removable box between the seats with numerous storage options.

Luggage space ID.Buzz

Behind the rear seat is a hefty cargo space of 1,121 liters. With the rear seat folded down, it is even bigger. An optional double luggage floor is available. It is a sturdy plate, the rear part of which is foldable, attached to the actual floor with an aluminum frame. This option creates a completely flat loading floor when the rear seats are folded down, leaving room under the floor for items you want out of sight or for storing the charging cable.

Charging ID.Buzz

The Volkswagen ID.Buzz has a 77 kWh battery pack. Over 410 km can be covered with this, under favorable weather and road conditions. In lower temperatures, lots of headwinds, high speeds or especially lots of highway miles, you won’t make it! 350 km is then realistic, we observe during the test. Charging speed? From 5% to 80% in 30 minutes on a fast charger with up to 170 kW.

Assistance and safety

Volkswagen supplies the ID.Buzz with a complete arsenal of safety and driver assistance systems. By far the majority of functions are controlled via the central touchscreen. Only temperature (separated left and right) and audio volume can still be controlled with some kind of sliders below the screen. Functions in the instrument display can be operated from the steering wheel. That includes radio stations, hands-free calling, volume and cruise control. There are a total of seven USB ports in the car.

Want to know more about the Volkswagen ID.Buzz? Then check out volkswagen.co.uk. There you will also stay abreast of future development and opportunities. Also about, for example, the arrival of longer version of the ID.Buzz with room for seven occupants, or six with separate captain seats.