from the who-is-this-for-contractors-or-trustafarians dept.
Motortrend has some pics of cargo version of the ID Buzz concept,
https://www.motortrend.com/news/volkswagen-d-buzz-cargo-previews-future-commercial-vehicles/ If I were a contractor or had a repair company, an electric van to lug my tools and parts around would be nice. But unless VW has located a secret source of cheap lithium batteries, the first cost of this version will be much higher than an equivalent ICE-powered commercial van. Will contractors or service companies buy these instead of, for example, a Ford Transit?
It's looking at a different market sector than Tesla where the first adopters had money for a luxury car. Maybe the customers will be rich kids looking for a cool way to get their surf boards to the beach?
Volkswagen reimagined the Microbus when it introduced the I.D. Buzz concept in early 2017. This all-electric remake seats up to eight people in a living-room style seating environment. Now, the automaker is revealing a cargo version designed for commercial use.
Like the passenger version, the I.D. Buzz Cargo concept sits on the flexible MEB platform for electric vehicles. This architecture can accommodate batteries with ranges of around 205 miles to more than 310 miles on the European scale. While the I.D. Buzz passenger van will enter production in 2022, the cargo model could launch as early as 2021, the automaker says. Eventually, the model will support autonomous driving and allow drivers to get more work done while on the road.
The cargo version deviates from the Buzz passenger concept with a new solar roof that can add about 9 miles of range per day. It also receives wide-opening rear wing doors that help workers load and unload the van. A workbench can fold out when the wing doors are opened. Volkswagen also redesigned the rear bumper for the cargo version.
Acting as a mobile workspace, the I.D. Buzz Cargo features shelves fitted with sensors and other technologies that make it possible for the driver to track all items on board. While the vehicle operates in autonomous mode, drivers can process orders, perform stock checks, or take care of other business matters via the on-board computer.
Comments by this AC:
+ Nine miles/day solar charging seems optimistic to me, but I didn't run any numbers, maybe this is for use in Ecuador? Only works if it's parked in reasonable light, which often doesn't exist in urban "canyons" between tall buildings (or in parking garages). But I live in the 'burbs and would park it outside--9 miles/day would often meet my personal needs (I don't go far to shop, and usually work from home).
+ Selling it as "autonomous ready" sounds like a waste of money, because I don't think AV (Autonomous Vehicle) use will cover more than some very small city areas in the next few years. I got snookered into buying a 3D TV and I think we've watched two 3D movies in the 8(?) years we've had it--I'm now leery of future-proofing my technology purchases.
(Score: -1, Redundant) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 21 2018, @09:40AM
Could it be a backhoe, instead? And could you be khallow? Would it be nice, then?
(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Friday September 21 2018, @11:44AM (1 child)
at least, as an EV, it would be tax exempt in London, and get free parking in Westminster [westminster.gov.uk]
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Friday September 21 2018, @06:07PM
With a nice big cargo space and the ability to park right in front, the MPs will be able to bang their mistress or random street lady in more style than usual.
(Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Friday September 21 2018, @12:01PM
There are other potential advantages. In many places you can take EVs on HOV lanes with a single occupant. That saves you time in traffic so your van can make more stops, answer more service calls, what have you. Also, there is less volatility in electricity costs than fuel, so it's easier to plan operating expenses. Further, there might be cachet for your customers, depending on who and where they are.
Whether that adds up to "better than an ICE van" is left as an exercise for the reader.
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 1) by Rich26189 on Friday September 21 2018, @01:11PM (1 child)
one of these https://workhorse.com/pickup/ [workhorse.com] but they'e being offered only to fleet owners/utility companies at this time.
I've owned two Tacomas over the last ~20 years, the first one rusted out from underneath me so Toyota bought it back from me. I was happy with that so bought another ... that was a mistake. While I like Toyota cars their Tacomas have had and still have frame rust problems, the Tundra is too big for my needs.
I just want a small, light duty pick up to: haul our recyclable to the transfer station along with the trash each week, it's not really that much but it's not something I'd want to put in the trunk of a car; occasionally pick up 4'x8' sheet goods e.g. plywood, particle board or some dimensional lumber for a project; maybe take the snow blower in for repairs; or move children's yard toys those plastic things with three steps on one side and a small slide on the other; or haul my bike or kayak without the need for roof racks.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by VLM on Friday September 21 2018, @05:03PM
I have a Yaris as my commuter car, comfy little thing gets like 30 MPG and was super cheap like $20K new.
A Yaris with a hitch and a small 4x8 trailer is rated to about 2000 pounds depending on exact model year and equipment for every country except the USA, so if you're not in the USA than just get a Yaris and a trailer and you'll move much more than a small pickup bed can hold.
In the USA to protect sales of gigantic pickup trucks and obese SUVs the same VIN coded Yaris is downrated to zero tow capacity, but that's just corruption, see "the great towing conspiracy" and all that.
I'm just saying there's a lot of very corrupt people in the USA doing their best to make sure you can't haul something as heavy as a bicycle unless you buy something at least as large as a Tundra. In less corrupt countries, the technical limitations of even something as tiny as a Yaris greatly exceed your listed requirements, but in the USA if you want to legally and insured haul something as heavy as a kayak then have to spend at least $75K on the tow vehicle.
(Score: 2) by VLM on Friday September 21 2018, @04:53PM
Perhaps they shouldn't bother? Just use small good batteries?
Range anxiety is popularized as an anti-EV thing for consumers, OMG how will I spend my entire vacation driving for 16 hours per day without a single break, because thats the only way to enjoy a vacation?
But for "Ford Transit Buyers" if their franchise limits or municipal business license limit where they can work to the extent that they can't drive "205 to 310 miles" away from home, then it doesn't matter.
Consider the electrician who did the wiring for my gas hot water heater (lots of electronics now compared to 50 years ago..). His commute to my house was a stunning half mile, which doesn't require $50K worth of lithium batteries; a single low speed golf cart battery would be quite sufficient.
Likewise I'm looking to hire a bonded arborist to take down a diseased pine near my neighbor's house, leading contender is based 4 miles away in the next town.
The HVAC guy who installed my furnace and aircond is based in the center of my suburban city, figure less than 10 miles round trip for a days work at worst case even if he has to run by a warehouse or two to get some parts.
The HQ of the company that installed my house roof is about 6 miles away, so figure 12 miles round trip per day range, although of course there's supplies to gather and coffee to fetch, but a relatively unambitious lead-acid battery would be quite sufficient.
I'm sure there's plenty of jobs out there where some poor bastard works 12 hour days and drives 310 miles between endless multiple sites, which works out to an average speed of 50 MPH if he spends half his time driving and half working, and most city streets around here are not rated to more than 35, so ... Figure this would not work for a porta-potty servicing truck dude. Or it wouldn't work for a welding gas cylinder delivery truck, probably. But for "most" skilled tradesmen not working in extreme rural environments, an EV work truck sounds like a reasonable solution.