Volkswagen’s all-electric I.D. family will include a
commercial vehicle as well, and it will be called the I.D. Buzz Cargo. Unveiled in concept form at the
Hannover CV Show, the new I.D. model is technically based on the modular
electric drive kit (MEB) and stylistically based on the I.D. Buzz people
carrier, also known as the new Bulli. In fact, the electric van looks just like
the Bulli, except it doesn’t have any lateral windows behind the front doors.
Another difference is the rear overhang extended by
106 mm to allow for a bigger cargo compartment. In terms of size,
the I.D. Buzz Cargo concept mirrors the Transporter. It’s 5,048-mm long, 1,976-mm wide, and 1,963-mm high, with a wheelbase of
3,300 mm.
The first commercial vehicle based on the I.D.
family promises “extremely good space” and a fully digitalized cargo system,
which brings the fastest “Internet of Things” onboard according to VW. The cargo compartment features an
“electrified” shelving system developed for service installers and maintenance
technicians. The system offers connectivity with a functional control unit for
the user, allowing for the implementation of the job and ordering system. For
example, all items on the shelves can be tracked and if someone needs an item,
they can have it delivered automatically. The doors open electrically, and the
shelving system can be customized.
The I.D. Buzz Cargo also offers the fully automated
driving mode I.D. Pilot (level 4) and driving ranges from approximately 330 km to more than 550 km in the WLTP cycle. The ranges
depend on the battery size and specific model version and can be extended by as
much as 15 km a day thanks to the solar module on the roof. VW says
compatible battery packs have between 48 kWh and 111 kWh.
The concept on display in Hannover features a 204 PS electric motor that drives the rear axle and a 48-kWh
lithium-ion battery which allow it to reach an electronically-limited top speed
of 160 km/h. An all-wheel-drive system like the one in the I.D. Buzz
could be offered as well.
While the I.D. Buzz is expected to go into
production in 2022, the Cargo version may arrive as early as 2021.
