Volkswagen unveiled its latest I.D. Buzz concept at the 2018 IAA Commercial Vehicles Show happening in Hannover, Germany. As you can easily deduce, the Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Cargo van is a fresh, business-oriented spin on the first I.D. Buzz unveiled at the 2017 NAIAS in Detroit.
One could argue that electric vehicles are useless for cargo companies and any business that needs to transport or deliver products because of their limited range. A cargo vehicle sitting at a charging stations is dollars lost for a business.
With that in mind, Volkswagen has built the I.D. Buzz Cargo on a longer version of the MEB modular platform designed for EVs. It allows a larger battery to be fitted into the cargo van with up to 340 miles of range, or more than 500 kilometers.
A smaller battery with about 320 kilometers of range like the one found in the concept could also be available. With this 48-kWh battery, you can charge up to 80% in about 15 minutes.
The idea here is to use the smaller battery for short distance deliveries, and quickly charge as the van is being loaded for the next run.
There’s also a solar panel for an extra 10 miles of range if it’s nice outside. Payload is set at 1,764 pounds while the 201-horsepower electric engine allows the I.D. Buzz Cargo to reach a top speed of 160 km/h.
It’s only a matter of time before a mass-production EV cargo vehicle is made available on the market. The Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Cargo may just be that vehicle.
