ID. Buzz Isn’t the Only Electric Van in VW's EV Portfolio
- VW starts selling its next-gen Transporter and Caravelle models in Europe, now offered with an all-electric powerplant or as a PHEV.
- The e-Transporter and e-Caravelle rely on smaller 64-kWh batteries, compared to the 91-kWh battery in the ID. Buzz, with diesel 2.0-liter TDI versions still available.
- The e-Caravelle offers seating for nine and a range of up to 215 miles in the WLTP cycle.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz and its Cargo twin may have captured all the headlines when it comes to electric vans from the German automaker, but they're not the only VW vans with a plug.
VW has launched a new generation of the e-Transporter and e-Caravelle, alongside their ICE and PHEV variants, overlapping a bit with the retro-styled ID. Buzz when it comes to electric offerings.
"One van for all has become an offering of no fewer than three product lines for a wide range of requirements: Transporter/Caravelle, Multivan/California, and ID. Buzz/ID. Buzz Cargo," the automaker noted.
The longtime van line has grown a bit in size with the launch of the latest generation, with VW promising higher towing capacities and payload in addition to the familiar van, dropside, and Kombi bodystyles in a choice of two wheelbases.
The e-Caravelle is the people-carrier version, of course, and it's the closest alternative to the ID. Buzz from VW itself.
Powered by a 64-kWh (net) battery—far more modest than the 91-kWh unit found in the ID. Buzz stateside—the e-Caravelle offers seating for up to nine passengers, making it more of a passenger van rather than a privately owned vehicle. A seven-passenger version is a more family-friendly variant.
But its single electric motor produces 136 hp, so its priorities aren't angled toward performance, unlike in the 282-hp ID. Buzz.
The e-Caravelle offers seating for up to nine passengers, though its range of 215 miles in the WLTP cycle makes it more of an in-town van.
An even more modest motor is on the menu in the e-Transporter, starting with a 115-hp unit, and at the top of the range the panel van will serve up a 286-hp electric motor if needed.
But the top ranges of these vans in the WLTP cycle aren't vast: the e-Caravelle is rated at 215 miles in the WLTP cycle. We suspect EPA numbers would land well south of the 200-mile mark.
Perhaps the more surprising thing about this battery and motor combo is that, even without an apples-to-apples range comparison, the US version of the ID. Buzz with its 91-kWh battery is rated at 234 miles in the EPA cycle, so the much larger battery does not buy it vastly more range.
This new generation of vans was developed along with Ford, which offers its own electric version in Europe with a larger 74-kWh battery. TDI models are still on the menu, and they're still the most affordable ones by far.
The base engines in the ICE VW Transporter range are 2.0-liter TDI models in three states of tune, so for all the talk of moving away from diesels VW still offers them in its home market.
As one might expect, TDI remains the cheapest version of the Transporter van, starting at 36,780 euros (about $38,300). The electric version will require at least 46,213 euros (about $48,000).
The e-Transporter is a model aimed at small businesses and at last-mile delivery.
The e-Caravelle, by comparison, will require at least 55,480 euros (about $57,800), landing a little short of the starting price of the ID. Buzz.
But it's not a lifestyle electric van, even though it can offer an interesting set of tradeoffs on paper.
The TDI models are still around perhaps because not all countries in Europe are as eager to go electric as Germany or Norway.
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So VW must still cater to the more "remote" parts of the continent, in addition to other regions where EVs have not seen much popularity.
Look for the EV versions of these vans next time you get an airport shuttle ride to or from the hotel in a European capital. Odds are, the e-Caravelle will find quite a few takers in the hospitality industry.
Should VW offer electric panel and passenger vans in the US, or are the current offerings here sufficient? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
