VW bringing back iconic microbus in two new electric models

The
Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Cargo commercial van is slated to go on sale
in either 2021 or 2022.

Volkswagen

• Volkswagen
  has reached into the past and is now bringing back the iconic
  microbus in two new fully-electric
  vans slated to be released in the early 2020s. 
• The German automaker unveiled its plans last month for
  the I.D. Buzz Cargo, an electric, commercial panel van version
  of the microbus, after earlier showcasing its planned release
  of the I.D. Buzz concept passenger van microbus. 
• Once an icon of the care-free counterculture lifestyle
  of the 1960s and ’70s, the Volkswagen’s microbus was
  discontinued in 2013 because of safety concerns centered around
  a lack of air-bags and anti-lock breaks. 
• Volkswagen hopes the I.D. Buzz and I.D. Cargo will
  have the ability to transition toward fully-integrated autonomous
  driving modes by the mid 2020s. 

Volkswagen has reached into the past and is bringing back the
iconic microbus in two new fully-electric vans slated to be
released in the early 2020s. 

While Volkswagen
announced earlier in the year the expected production of the

I.D. Buzz concept microbus, the German automaker unveiled its
plans last
month for the I.D. Buzz Cargo, an electric, commercial panel
van version of the microbus. 

According to
Fox News, the I.D. Buzz Cargo may hit the road before the

I.D. Buzz concept, which first made its debut at
the 2017 Detroit Auto Show and is expected to become available in
showrooms in 2022. 

Interior
shot of the Volkswagen I.D. Buzz concept
microbus.

Volkswagen

According to Volkswagen, the
I.D. Buzz Cargo will have a battery with range of up to 340 miles
per charge, with a large solar roof panel that can extend the
daily range an additional nine miles. The van will have the
ability to charge to almost 80 percent capacity in only 15
minutes, and is a fully-connected vehicle with a cargo tracking
system that makes it possible to track orders and manage online
supply networks from inside the cockpit. 

Once an icon of the care-free counterculture lifestyle of the
1960s and ’70s, the Volkswagen’s microbus
was discontinued in 2013 due to safety concerns centered
around a lack of air-bags and anti-lock breaks. 

Bringing back a passenger and commercial van is a step in a
different direction for Volkswagen.  The
Wolfsburg-based automaker
last offered its imported Transporter van to U.S.
buyers 15 years ago and it hasn’t had a van in the U.S. market
since 2014. 

Volkswagen hopes the
I.D. Buzz and I.D.
Cargo will have the ability to transition toward fully
integrated autonomous driving modes by the mid
2020s. 

Volkswagen
hopes the I.D. Buzz Cargo and I.D. Buzz concept electric
microbuses will transition to autonomous driving by the
mid-2020s.

Volkswagen