Fleet of five ID. Buzz Cargo electric vans arrive at Australian elevator group

A fleet of five new Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo battery electric vans have been delivered to Schindler Lifts Australia, part of that company’s goal to have 15 per cent of its vehicle fleet fully electric.

Schindler, which designs, manufacturers, and installs elevators, escalators, and moving walkways, will triall the vehicles at capitals across the country – two in Sydney, one in Melbourne, one in Brisbane, and one in Perth.

The ID.Buzz is capable carrying two Euro pallets, and starts at $79,990 RRP. It boasts a range of 431km (WLTP) thanks to an 84kWh battery, peak power of 210kW and producing 550Nm of torque.

Schindler says its technicians need to be capable of travelling up to 400 kilometres per day.

The electric vans 2-years/30,000km service intervals also means that the ID. Buzz Cargos are more cost effective to run and boast a greater uptime than internal combustion engine (ICE) predecessors.

The electric range of the ID. Buzz Cargo will be backed by the installation of EV chargers at Schindler drivers’ premises, ensuring that their vehicles can be charged overnight.

“The biggest roadblock to receiving more EVs on our fleet has been the lack of commercial vehicles in the Australian market with sufficient range,” said Emilian Wojtczuk, supply chain operations manager for Schindler Lifts Australia, who described the ID. Buzz Cargos as being capable of fulfilling an operational need that had previously been unmet.

“ID. Buzz Cargo will radically change our business, by offering a very good range in comparison to other commercial vehicles and low maintenance costs, as well as supporting us with our fleet emissions targets.”

Capable of carrying two Euro pallets, the ID. Buzz Cargo starts at $79,990 RRP.