Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo — Goes Like a Scolded Cat! – CleanTechnica

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“I have had over 300 cars — this is the best so far.”

Mark is a car guy. He collects and modifies Datsun 1600s, but also has a couple of Rolls Royces and Bentleys in his extensive backyard near Sydney Australia. So, when he gets excited about a new vehicle, it has to be something!

When he needed a new van for his air-conditioning installation business, he thought, why not give electric a go. The only thing he is regretting now is that with all the rain, he has had to wash his green Buzz Cargo almost every day. “No, you don’t,” I said. “Yes, I do,” he shot back over the phone, “It’s a brand-new van.” Even though he has owned the van for two months, the excitement is still in his voice — like a kid with a new toy. He mused that perhaps electric vehicles would have done better in the market if the emphasis was on their cost savings and fun attributes rather than “saving the planet.”

Since the ’90s, Mark has operated a fleet of Toyota Hi Aces, first running on petrol, then on diesel. Now that the business has downsized, he is going electric. He did check out the LDV eDeliver, but couldn’t get one. Then he found the Buzz. It had been sitting on the docks since October last year, but it took till April to be released.

“VW Penrith did a really good deal. I took it for a drive and was very impressed. The main reason I bought a VW Buzz Cargo? It’s different. Everybody loves the VW retro styling — looks like the ’60s. It’s an iconic van — you can’t go to the shops without someone wanting to talk to you — same effect as when I take my classic Datsun. They ask: ‘When did this come out?’ They have seen the ads on TV and are curious. The VW ad campaign has really worked.”

Penrith Volkswagen still have two in stock for those who are interested, at AU$88,000. So far, 107 ID. Buzz Cargos have been delivered in Australia this year. It is worth noting that the Buzz is a similar price to the Mercedes eVito we reported on earlier.

“I went down to Bunnings hardware to pick up supplies for the business. As you leave, security checks the back of the van to make sure you haven’t picked up any extra stock. I just press a button and the door slides down. The staff so busy admiring the car they don’t check the boot. I like to joke that there could be a body back there and they wouldn’t notice it. They would be too busy checking out the Buzz Cargo.”

Many of Mark’s enquiries come from those in the 50–70-year-old demographic. They ask about range for travelling. He responds: “How far do you drive your car before you fill up? I just top up when necessary.” I followed up with the usual questions on range — about 430 km he tells me. He judges it by a rule of thumb he has developed over the last few months of driving. “I get 40 km per 10% of battery. I wouldn’t do more than 100 km a day. I used to pump AU$140 of diesel into the Hi Ace to do 500 km. Now the Buzz costs me about AU$7–8 dollars.”

With further calculations, Mark came up with better figures, concluding that it cost AU$23 per 100 km to run the Hi Ace and only AU$5 to travel 100 km in the Buzz. We discussed that it is a bit of a moot point, as charging prices can vary from $0 (if charging from home solar) to 30 cents a kWh from the grid to 80 cents a kWh at a high-speed charger. All prices are still lower than petrol.

“Charging is a lifestyle issue. I come home, plug in the car, just like my phone. Range is no longer a concern. And no, I haven’t noticed a huge increase in my power bill. I plug into a 3-phase socket at night and charge at 16 amps. The Buzz will charge from 20%–80% in three hours. That will give me over 300 km range.” Mark has only used fast chargers twice. The first time he checked out the BP Pulse experience. The battery went from 19%–80% and cost $29. Another time, he plugged in at home but forgot to turn on the charger, so had to visit a public one. An expensive lesson. But it would still be cheaper than diesel.

Why buy electric? Not to save the planet, but to have fun and save money. Mark has even lost a little weight because he is not buying treats at the servo. Mark emphasizes that he is a car guy. He compares his Buzz with his favourite Datsun 1600 equipped with an FJ 20 turbo (from a Skyline) for plenty of wheel spin. It has similar power — 220 kW — to what the Buzz offers — 210 kW. But the Buzz’s power is instant. The weight of the Buzz keeps it on the ground. Mark reckons the Datsun would catch up by the time both cars reached 80 km/h.

“The Buzz goes like a scolded cat! And saves me money! Some of my friends at the car club make jokes about electric vehicles. So, I take them for a ride! I am unbeaten 0–60 km/h. And it is a van!” The first time he took his son for a ride, his head bounced off the back the seat. He had a similar experience when he let his 80-year-old father-in-law drive: “He went from disbeliever … to eyes light up.”

The Buzz comes with an 8-year or 160,000-km warranty on the battery. Mark usually sells his work vehicles at 100,000 km, so he is comfortable with the warranty cover. The way he raves about the van, I am not sure if he will be able to let it go — maybe it will be part of his ongoing collection?

He continues listing the advantages of going electric. It’s not just the cost of fuel, but also servicing. His diesels would cost $500 for a service every 10,000 km.

He loves the Buzz in peak hour traffic. The cruise control allows it to move with the traffic. It gives Mark quiet time to listen to his dance music. Mark chose this particular van because of its bold colour — bayside green. Gets the attention it deserves. Also good for advertising his business. The Buzz Cargo has barn doors at the rear. Mark is considering where to have his logo situated.
True to his hobby, Mark has done some customizing work on his new toy. He has put custom Simmons wheels all around. He explains that most Datsun 1600s have these wheels. For his business use, he has installed a multi-rack toolbox and racks on the roof. He tells me that weight doesn’t seem to be making a noticeable difference to the range. The Buzz Cargo is rated to carry a payload of 780 kg, but he rarely gets to that weight. He has fitted extra-long Euro plates.

Mark has tried all the different driving modes for range … “in the end it doesn’t seem to make any difference. I don’t look at the range — so long as I have 40% in the tank.” He has learnt a lot from other Buzz Cargo owners through Facebook, especially those in the UK.

“It has been a journey of learning,” he tells me. “I love every day I am driving the car. I even enjoy going to work. I get excited. I have had over 300 cars — this is the best so far.”

There have been some minor downsides. Mark has had to buy accessories over the internet rather than through VW — for example, floor mats and a tow bar. He has difficulties syncing his Android phone. The Buzz has a slot for the phone next the steering wheel, but he had to get a plug-in link from the USA. There is no VW app as yet. There is no storage behind the seat, and the cupholders are on the wrong side (as they would be for a European car).

Then, he is quick to point out a few more positives: the Buzz has vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, so he can charge up his tools on the job; there is extra space under the seat, so he can load 2.4 metre lengths of timber; the passenger door has a charger for the passenger’s phone. Perhaps the best feature is the shelf above the dash. As a tradie, that’s where you keep your paperwork and bits and pieces, including your work diary and your sunglasses. Mark has in the past been fined for “having stuff on my dash.” Now it is safe and secure and legal.

The Buzz has three seats across the front, whereas the Mercedes eVito has only two and he found the LDV “boring.” The UK version of the Buzz Cargo has a 240V power point, but the Australian version doesn’t have it. The Buzz Cargo has no windows in the van or the back doors — this gives better security because people can’t see in. Above all, the van is a tool and has to earn its keep.

“I must be the only Datsun guy that owns a VeeDub! And it has changed my life for the good.” Mark is now installing electric car chargers as well as air conditioners. For Australia’s tradies, the future is bright, electric, and goes like a scolded cat!