Volkswagen has been announcing the id. Buzz electric van “will be available in a year” for the past several years. Now it is saying the Buzz will be a 2025 model available “later in 2024.” For those who are serious about purchasing one, this continues to be the most frustrating launch of any vehicle ever. But while we wait some more and keep our fingers crossed that VW will actually begin shipping the Buzz later in 2024, there is still id. Buzz news to bring forth.

There has been much debate about the U.S. only getting the 10-inch longer three-row version of the Buzz rather than the shorter two-row already on sale in Europe. The general consensus is that many prefer the short Buzz. Or maybe they are the most vocal? Anyway, the U.S. will not get the short Buzz nor the panel utility van.

Why won’t we get the id. Buzz cargo van?

The reason the panel van won’t make it to our shores is a simple one, the chicken tax. As panel vans are commercial vehicles, they’re a target for the tax. Yes, there are workarounds, like Ford shipping Transit passenger vans and then converting them into cargo vans once in the U.S. But it is doubtful there is much for VW to gain in this regard.

But what about the short Buzz van? Interestingly, news abounds that some conversion companies are considering whacking the extra 10 inches out of the van to create the European version. Conversions would utilize the shorter Euro doors to make for an easier process. The extra length for U.S.-spec vans is in those doors, so body stampings are identical on either side of them. 

Will cutting up a three-row id. Buzz work?

But the problem we see is with the batteries. With the extra length, there is room for longer batteries. That’s the plus to North America’s id. Buzz. It has more range and power as a result. The two-row pencils out at 201 hp, 229 lb-ft of torque, and a 258-mile range.

Contrast that to the longer version. It carries a 91-kWh battery, rather than the shorter 77-kWh European version. So the numbers are higher at 282 hp and 275 miles of range. However, as you can see, those extra 10 inches and larger batteries don’t help much with range because of their added weight. But conversions swapping around batteries could nix the whole idea. We’ll have to see if this goes beyond speculation.

Will the Buzz get the wild interior materials and colors?

Better range, more power, and an extra row of seats are just some of the advantages the three-row has over the two-row. But other highlights are the dual-motor version. Volkswagen says this increases power to almost 300 hp with all-wheel drive. There is also the expectation that U.S.-spec vans will receive some of the wilder interior color combos and patterns we’ve seen in concept vans. This would be one more way to distinguish the two from each other. 

Finally, VW is throwing in some fun Easter eggs throughout the interior. From cartoon depictions of the van to happy faces adding to the retro theme, it shows Volkswagen actually does have a sense of humor. Now, if it could only develop a vehicle in less than 10 years…