ID.Buzz’s Adorable Commercial Concept Showcases the Versatility of EV Van

• Volkswagen showcased four ID.Buzz commercial vehicle concepts in Frankfurt, Germany, this week’s commercial vehicle show.
• Each van is made by a different specialist manufacturer and equipped for tasks from cooling to emergency response.
• The concept van, labeled as “near production,” is aimed at Europe, with Volkswagen planning to only bring a passenger version with an extended wheelbase to the US.

We are sure Volkswagen didn’t mean to hurt us so much by uncovering the adorable four ID.Buzz concept at the Frankfurt commercial vehicle show. However, it’s somehow painful to know that this cute and seemingly practical compact cargo van exists and we’re not going to get it. It’s not Volkswagen’s fault that Nissan stopped production of the NV200, or that Mercedes dropped the Metris. Nor can we blame Volkswagen for Rama unplug in ProMaster City—or complain to wade through to flip the off switch on Transit Connection. Meanwhile, European commercial customers can look forward to the whole range of attractive, attractive and practical ID.Buzz variants, so that’s it.

The flex-cab concept, adapted by Dutch company Snoeks, features a five-seater layout that can be configured for passenger transport needs. The seats can be folded electronically, allowing the van to go from a people carrier to a freight carrier. The paramedic version of ID.Buzz, created by Bösenberg, has room for three people. The cargo area has been converted to modular, capable of storing medical equipment and serving as an emergency workspace. According to Volkswagen, the incorporated emergency light system runs on a different battery system than the rest of the car, meaning it won’t hinder coverage in an emergency situation.

ID.Buzz the most visually changed is the box-body version. Veth Automotive dropped a large rectangular box on the back of the Buzz, bringing cargo space from 138 to 212 cubic feet. The sides and back of the box can both be equipped with hinged doors, sliding doors, or rolling shutters. Of course, sharing the aerodynamic qualities with the shed will decrease the range, but the box body is shown as a “last mile” vehicle.

The refrigerated ID.Buzz (top, center) is another “last mile” van, designed with downtown shipping in mind. The 230V cooling system is roof-mounted with four 100-amp batteries and an inverter to convert from DC to AC voltage. The four-battery system can run independently of the van for six to eight hours. The refrigerated Buzz has a payload of 860 pounds, which converts into about 172 gallons of ice cream.

Volkswagen also showcased a service van for equipment company Miele. Miele’s specialty vans are equipped with shelves at the back for storing tools and materials for the company’s customer service department. The center console of the van is equipped with a folding table to give the driver some workspace in the cab.