VW ID.Buzz gives birth to the ID.California electric camping van

Volkswagen is working on a modern take on the iconic microbus teased in 2017 with the ID.Buzz concept car.

Based on Volkswagen Group's MEB modular electric vehicle platform, the production version of the ID.Buzz will debut next year ahead of its US sales launch in 2023.

VW is planning multiple versions of the electric van, including a passenger version, a cargo hauler, and one with self-driving technology from American Argo AI. In a presentation on Thursday outlining its investment plans for the next five years, the VW Group confirmed that there will also be an ID.California version.

No details were mentioned about the ID.California, except that it will share a production facility in Hannover, Germany, with the rest of the ID.Buzz series. We do know, however, that VW is using the California tag for its vans for camping enthusiasts.

The name was originally used for the Transporter-based California van, a version of which we tested in 2018. The van had almost everything needed for an extended stay at a campground, including a pop-up roof, cooker, refrigerator, and bed for two; VW has since launched California versions of the smaller Caddy van and the larger Crafter van.

With the ID.Buzz's electric powertrain, it should be easy to add electric accessories to the ID.California. Things like a kitchen might be possible, or even a shower with hot water.