Volkswagen’s new ID. Buzz will be more affordable, and it’s bringing ‘lots of secret sauce’

This isn't really a home energy-efficiency story, but here's what it covers for anyone tracking electric vehicles: Volkswagen says it's developing a cheaper version of its electric minibus, the ID. Buzz. The current model starts around $60,000 and only goes up to 234 miles on a charge. VW's brand CEO said the vehicle is "in the wrong cost base" and confirmed the next version will cost less.

The new ID. Buzz will be built on Volkswagen's upcoming Scalable Systems Platform, a shared design meant to cut costs across its EV lineup. It should bring longer driving range, faster charging, and updated software, along with the return of physical buttons inside (replacing some touch controls). VW also hinted the cheaper price could come from switching to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, a battery chemistry that's generally less expensive than the type used now, though sometimes with a tradeoff in range. VW's design chief said the redesigned van will keep a distinctive look rather than fading into a generic van shape.

No launch date has been set. Volkswagen's SSP platform, originally expected in 2026, is now targeted for "the end of the decade," and the new ID. Buzz would follow after that. In the US, the current ID. Buzz has already been pushed back to the 2028 model year, and sales have dropped sharply, with Volkswagen selling 432 units in the third quarter, down from nearly 2,500 a year earlier. The company says it is not canceling the model for the US market.