The long-awaited electric successor to the iconic Volkswagen Kombi van will soon make its way to Australia’s shores, as the German automotive giant announced last week that the ID. Buzz will go on sale before Christmas, and below the threshold for Luxury Car Tax.
Unveiled in early 2022 to instant praise, and reviewed here by The Driven’s editor here in late 2022, Australian interest in the ID. Buzz has seen almost 7,000 local expressions of interest – a number Volkswagen expects will increase rapidly in the days to come.
Five ID. Buzz variants will make their way to Australia, starting with the ID. Buzz Pro which will be available in its short wheelbase, five-seater format, or as a long wheelbase seven-seater.
The ID. Buzz Cargo will debut alongside the Pro, available as a three-seat, short wheelbase model with the capacity to carry two pallets.
The top of the range ID. Buzz GTX will begin production later this year and be available for delivery in early 2025.
Most importantly, however, is pricing, and Volkswagen appear to have bent over backwards to ensure a relatively modest price for this most-awaited-for electric vehicle and have ensured it sits under the threshold for Australia’s Luxury Car Tax.
The ID. Buzz Cargo will start at $79,990, before on-road costs, while the ID. Buzz Pro five-seater with short wheelbase will start at $87,990 (before on-roads). The Pro seven-seater with long wheelbase starts at $91,290 (before on-roads), while the top-of-the-line GTX long wheelbase 4Motion variant starts at a hefty $109,990 (before on-roads).
“Many Australians have a deep emotional and historical connection with Volkswagen vans and people movers,” said Ryan Davies, director for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
“We’re delighted to deliver the highly desirable BEV reinventions of those classics.
“Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ first fully electric range gives us a capability to supply families and fleets alike with a vehicle that has been highly anticipated.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.