When Volkswagen launched the ID. Buzz, its retro design gained many hearts, together with mine, regardless of my sometimes essential stance as a automotive journalist. Nonetheless, the preliminary pleasure quickly pale, prompting a extra analytical overview of the van’s capabilities.
Whereas the ID. Buzz can accommodate seven passengers, making it a possible highway journey automobile, its less-than-ideal aerodynamics, substantial weight, and modest vary raised considerations. This led me to ponder the true that means of a “highway journey.” Is it about nostalgic cross-country adventures or fast weekend getaways to go to less-than-favorite kinfolk? For my part, the ID. Buzz is extra fitted to the latter, so I made a decision to provide it a take a look at on a mini highway journey from Columbus, OH, to simply north of Detroit, MI.
To begin, the van carried out impressively. I had the possibility to drive the 2025 ID. Buzz Professional S for per week, geared up with a single motor and RWD, that includes a 91 kWh battery (86 kWh usable) and an EPA-rated vary of 234 miles. The value tag for this mannequin is roughly $66,040, together with the vacation spot price.
Many automotive journalists sometimes have their press automobiles picked up and delivered by a third-party fleet service. Being situated in central Ohio places me a bit farther from such providers in comparison with colleagues in areas like Detroit, although I am nonetheless inside attain.
Whereas 213 miles might sound manageable for many electrical automobiles, it may range considerably amongst totally different fashions. The route I took largely concerned highways and nation roads, with speeds typically exceeding 60 mph – not perfect for EVs that are likely to carry out higher at slower speeds. As an example, automobiles just like the Genesis GV70 Electrified, Kia EV9, and Rivian R1S dealt with the journey seamlessly, even in opposed climate. In distinction, the Lexus RZ450e struggled to succeed in 140 miles underneath optimum situations, and the Fiat 500e, with its smaller battery, managed about 115 miles earlier than needing a cost.
On condition that the ID. Buzz has a variety of 234 miles, I anticipated it to deal with the journey comfortably. Nonetheless, I started my journey with solely 42% cost, so I drove 20 miles to an EV GO station in Delaware, OH, to recharge to 100%. This took about 45 minutes, which I made a decision to not depend as a full charging cease, because it was solely a slight detour.
With 189 miles to my vacation spot and my place to begin adjusted, I launched into the journey. The route included rural roads and highways, with velocity limits round 60 mph and infrequently reaching 70-75 mph in Michigan.
I want I may relay tales of driving challenges, however there have been none. The one noteworthy occasion was discovering that Detroit was noticeably colder than Ohio, with temperatures at 39°F versus the 65°F I left behind, affecting my vitality consumption barely. As I crossed into Michigan, my common consumption decreased barely, prompting the onboard navigation to counsel a charging cease, which in the end wasn’t needed.
I maintained a velocity in line with visitors and had no points reaching my vacation spot. I accomplished the 189-mile journey at a mean velocity of 64 mph, attaining a consumption charge of two.7 miles per kWh. The van returned with 14% cost remaining, indicating an estimated 40 miles of vary left. This urged that the ID. Buzz was able to round 229 miles on this journey, simply shy of its official vary score.
Some might argue that this efficiency is underwhelming and indicative of electrical automobiles’ inadequacies. Nonetheless, I imagine many drivers would discover this distance cheap for a single journey. Persevering with the journey would solely require about one other 45 minutes of charging for an additional 200-mile leg, which may take you to locations like Toronto or close to Chicago – a full day’s drive just like that of a gasoline automobile.
Whereas considerations about charging infrastructure are legitimate, as there’s a noticeable hole between Columbus and Detroit, there are working DC quick chargers obtainable alongside the route. This availability alleviates some worries about vary. The evolution of electrical automobile journey continues, and the extra I drive them over lengthy distances, the much less inclined I’m to attribute shortcomings solely to the automobiles themselves or name for producers to develop codecs and configurations for rare wants.
For additional inquiries, you possibly can attain me at Kevin.Williams@InsideEVs.com.
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