Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has commenced ID. Buzz serial production at the Bulli plant, its main production facility in Hannover, with deliveries expected in the Autumn.
The German auto giant is planning to produce up to 15,000 ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo vehicles this year, it said. The facility, when on full speed, can produce 130,000 units a year. Hannover will be the company’s third electric vehicle site in Germany where the ID. family vehicles are being produced.
The company has already started pre-sales. Customers in the UK can place a £2,000 pre-booking fee with their dealer between 30 May and 30 June to secure a priority slot, the company said. Though it would secure a priority spot when order books open in July 2022, pre-order is available on the five-seater ID. Buzz, and not the Cargo variant.
All variants feature the 77kWh lithium-ion battery, supplying 150kW (204 PS) to a rear-mounted electric motor that develops 310Nm of torque and is capable of an all-electric driving range of up to 415km (258 miles), the company said.
The ‘1st Edition’ comes with Car2X technology. Specifications include LED lights and 21in wheels. The ID. Buzz is Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ first all-electric vehicle. Based on the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB) platform, the ID. Buzz has been built from the ground up with electrification in mind, the company said.
“The start of serial production of the all-electric ID. Buzz is an important milestone in the electrification of our fleet and for the manufacturing operation at the Hannover site,” said Carsten Intra, Chairman of the Brand Management Board of VWCV.
The company has undertaken further conversions at the Hannover plant, including a new body shop and new sections for electrical parts on the assembly line, the company said.