The ID. Buzz uses battery packs familiar from the rest of the ID range, but its large size and extra eight means range figures are slightly down on smaller models like the ID.3 hatchback. Still, it should be possible to drive further than most would want to in a single day behind the wheel, and the Buzz can charge quickly.

VW is also making a big deal about sustainable production; you won’t find any leather in the ID. Buzz, and some of its upholstery is made from recycled bottles and plastics recovered from the ocean. Volkswagen has also committed to taking back the batteries at the end of their life, so they can be repurposed – in applications like home energy storage – or recycled.

The Buzz is based on the same MEB underpinnings as the rest of the ID range, so it gets the same 77kWh battery pack. According to the official WLTP figures, every version tops 250 miles of range, but as usual this appears to be slightly optimistic. During our first drive in warm weather, with a mixture of urban and motorway driving, we managed around three miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh), which should give a real-world range of around 230 miles.

That’s significantly less than a Cupra Born with the same battery pack, which can manage up to 340 miles according to the WLTP test. The ID. Buzz can charge faster, though, managing up to 170kW at a suitable public chargepoint. This can take the battery from 5-80% in around half-an-hour, giving the MPV significantly longer legs if you don’t mind taking a break. Three-phase 11kW charging is also possible – usually found at business premises – while the more common 7kW speed of most home wallboxes can fully charge the Buzz in 11 hours.

Despite its size and number of seats, the ID. Buzz’s electric powertrain means it’s exempt from VED (road tax). It also falls into the most affordable Benefit-in-Kind company car tax band, making it all the more appealing for businesses and company-car drivers.

Insurance groups haven’t been announced yet for Volkswagen’s first electric MPV, and its relatively unique position in the market makes them tricky to predict. The ID.4 SUV with the same powertrain starts in group 29 out of 50, so it’s unlikely to be much lower for the Buzz, making it on the pricey side to insure.

There are far fewer serviceable parts on an electric car, which doesn’t have spark plugs, a clutch or cambelt, let alone any engine oil. This should make the ID. Buzz cheaper to maintain than a Volkswagen Multivan, but the braking system, climate control and other systems still need checking and maintaining. We expect the Buzz will need servicing the same amount as the ID.4, which requires a visit to the dealership every two years.

Volkswagen covers all of its models for three years/60,000 miles, but the ID. Buzz should also benefit from a longer eight-year/100,000-mile battery cover, to reassure buyers wary of the new technology failing prematurely.

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