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Volkswagen has taken its successful ID. Buzz and given it an extended life span. While this Electric Vehicle (EV) has yet to arrive in its standard form in the United States, it has already found success in Europe. Now, Volkswagen seeks to capitalize on that success by creating five new concept variants, each with its own distinct mission, purpose, and function.
These five concept vehicles can transport cargo, shuttle groups of people, perform refrigerated deliveries, assist in paramedic tasks, and give service workers an ideal vehicle. Each model has its own distinct features to help it better perform its designated function. While Volkswagen has made wacky and future-ready concepts before, this is a newer and more practical approach.
Read on to find out more about each of the five Volkswagen ID.Buzz EV concepts.
VW ID.Buzz Commercial Applications Prove Adaptable
With five different vehicles specifically designed to perform five different tasks, the ID.Buzz just became a lot more flexible and versatile in its purpose. While the standard civilian version of the ID.Buzz still hasn't arrived at the sales floors of American dealerships and will not do so until 2023 as a 2024 model, the EV is already in Europe. Volkswagen has been adapting the ID.Buzz in different ways to make five new concept vehicles.
Each concept vehicle will have extensive space and a compact footprint while performing its designated task. These vehicles will all be modified in different ways for small business and large business uses to help achieve their designated function, whether it involves carrying groups of people, deploying service workers, transporting cargo, aiding in paramedic missions, or implementing refrigerated deliveries.
VW ID.Buzz Transporting People En Masse
One of the five concept vehicles is all about carrying groups of people from point to point. This ID.Buzz has a fairly normal appearance, as it is made for moving people. It compares somewhat to a taxi or uber vehicle. This is known as the "Flex-Cab" concept, which is a collaboration with Dutch upfitter Snoeks.
The interior will be flexible enough that people or cargo could be hauled, although another one of the five concepts specializes in hauling cargo. The layout features five seats that can be easily rearranged, completely reconfigured, and electronically folded, largely thanks to the three-person bench seat in the rear.
VW ID.Buzz For Cargo & Services
Another two concepts are made for transporting cargo and deploying service workers. The second of five concepts is a box-body version specially designed for the transportation of cargo, and it is the most visually departed of the five designs. The cargo space also got a boost from 138 to 212 cubic feet thanks to Veth Automotive putting a large rectangular box on the rear of the vehicle.
This vehicle's hauling capability is 1,500 lbs., and side and rear door configurations are also available. The aforementioned box also has the option to have hinged doors, sliding doors, or roll-up shutters added to it. While courier services were the objective when this design was conceived, it has the flexibility to shuttle nearly any kind of cargo. As an added bonus, a hard-wearing non-slip floor adorns the inside of the back box.
The third of five concepts were made to assist service workers. This model, made for assisting technicians, is a collaboration between CS/Wurth and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The example Volkswagen used for display purposes is for the appliance company Miele, and it is specific to them, though this service van can be tailored to other companies' needs.
Miele has a van that has shelving space in the back for tool storage and other customer service needs. A fold-out table is integrated into the van's center console for workspace purposes. Most of these features can also be applied to other companies as well.
VW ID.Buzz For Paramedics & Refrigerated Deliveries
The last two concepts are made for paramedics and for delivering any items that require refrigeration. The fourth of the five concepts aid in paramedic-related tasks. It can seat three people, and it was built by Bösenberg. Volkswagen has made sure that this model has different battery systems for both vehicle operation and the incorporated emergency light system, which operates lights, sirens, and other equipment.
This was structured so as not to impede range when the EV is used in emergencies. This vehicle can also store medical equipment and, should the situation arise, become an emergency workspace. Three first responders can arrive fully equipped in this EV, or it could just be two first responders and a patient. Modular storage systems maximize space in this EV, and it also has plenty of room for medical storage.
That said, the final of the five concepts is all about refrigeration. It's made for doing deliveries that require refrigeration all around the city. There's a four-battery system that has a refrigeration unit that keeps items cool for up to eight hours and holds up to 860 lbs of refrigerated goods. Best of all, these batteries are in the wheel arches of the van, so they won't get in the way of deliveries.
Sources: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Miele, Bösenberg, Snoeks, Veth Automotive, Wukaro, IAA Transportation 2022