New ID. Buzz is named Electric Car of the Year

Judges praised the ID. Buzz which goes on sale later this year for its iconic style, which pays homage to the original Volkswagen T1’s design. High quality and responsive driving capabilities were also highlighted as impressive elements of the vehicle.

The ID. Buzz was said to be ideal for those with an active lifestyle, with a plethora of space inside, especially the boot capacity which is double the size of that found in a standard SUV.

Ollie Marriage, Head of Car Testing at Top Gear, said: “People who pretend to have an active lifestyle drive an SUV and those who actually do, drive a VW van. Everyone we met loved that VW has rediscovered its mojo and found the Buzz breezy, fresh, and invigorating. Isn’t it great that VW has finally had the courage to reinvent the original? It’s beguilingly simple and yet entirely uplifting. And that’s why it’s our electric car of the year.”

The ID. Buzz is Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ first all-electric vehicle. Built on the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB) platform, the ID. Buzz has been built from the ground up with electrification in mind. It will be available at launch as a five-seat passenger car or in van form as the ID. Buzz Cargo.

Sustainability is a core part the new ID. Buzz, with a recycled synthetic material and leather-free interior in addition to the all-electric powertrain. The ID. Buzz is manufactured using sustainable components: battery housings and wheel rims are made from green aluminium and tyres from low-emission production. The manufacturing and shipping of the ID. Buzz has a carbon neutral footprint, too.

Cian O’Brien, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “As a brand, we are on an important electrification journey, and the long-awaited ID. Buzz marks the start of this exciting experience. Being able to launch a car that is cool in design, with sustainability at the heart of its creation, is a great way to show our customers that you can still do all the things you enjoy and travel wherever you want, while also having a positive impact on the environment. There are few better ways to celebrate this ahead of the car’s UK launch than with the highly prestigious Electric Car of the Year award from Top Gear.”