The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is the German carmaker’s first mass-produced all-electric minivan, paying homage to its iconic predecessor, the Type 2 Microbus, also known as the T1.
This modern nod to the past is boxy, cute, and emits zero emissions, a stark contrast to the typical post-war vehicle. However, it may come as a surprise that the ID. Buzz is not Volkswagen’s first electric van, as the company actually experimented with battery-swapping tech half a century ago.
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Battery swapping in EVs before it was cool
Volkswagen’s first-ever EV, the T2 Elektro Bus, came in 1972. It was an experimental vehicle with a massive 2,000-pound battery, but to make things easier, the whole pack could be swapped in a matter of minutes. That was decades before names like Nio, Gogoro, or Ample even existed.
In the 1970s, the T1 bus had been replaced by the T2 van, which became Volkswagen’s first electrified vehicle with a battery-swapping system. Assisted by Bosch, Siemens, and Varta, the T2 Electo Bus entered the scene as a sustainable solution for commercial and passenger transportation.
The Elektro Bus prototype emerged in 1972 from VW’s Department of Future Research, created to explore sustainable energy sources for vehicles. The first Elektro Bus, a single-cab pickup, housed a massive 1,874-pound lead-acid battery pack and a rear DC motor under the loading area.
The electric motor provided a continuous output of 16 kilowatts (22 horsepower) and a maximum output of 32 kW (44 hp) for short bursts. Despite its weight, the T2 Elektro Bus had a top speed of 46 miles per hour and a zero to 31 mph time of 12.5 seconds.
Volkswagen produced 120 electric T2s in the 1970s, mainly for use by electrical companies and government research agencies. Toward the end of production, the van’s power output increased, but its top speed decreased.
The T2 Elektro Bus had an estimated range of 31-62 miles on a full charge, suitable for city driving but not long distances. Additionally, it incorporated an energy recuperation system to store kinetic energy when braking.
The Varta-made battery pack could be swapped in minutes, thanks to a conveyor belt-type system, years before similar technologies were developed.
Production of the Volkswagen T2 Elektro Bus ceased in the early 1980s due to limitations in battery technology. Fast-forward to 2024, the ID. Buzz is a testament to the evolution of EVs.