By Daren Jasper, Commercial Vehicle Sales Manager at Select Van Leasing
“There are compact vans with bigger payloads, and there are small LCVs that offer better practicality - but when it comes to business visibility and brand exposure, the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo is something of a game changer.
And the surge in demand for this all-electric vehicle should be seen as an important moment for the fleet industry in general.
Earlier this month, the MPV version of the all-electric ID. Buzz scooped the overall What Car? Car of the Year 2023 award, with judges gushing about how it was ‘even better than the hype’.
And, for me, you can say precisely the same about the commercial ID. Buzz Cargo panel van.
It ticks so many boxes.
There’s nostalgia for the classic shape of the VW Camper from the 1950s, yet it’s also sophisticated and functional.
There’s enough room in the back for euro spec pallets, though builders will struggle to stow an 8x4 sheet and it’s arguably not particularly suitable for heavy, everyday work.
But I’d describe it as a moving advertising board for someone’s business. And as a marketing strategy, it takes some beating.
Think about all the small businesses in urban centres, particularly in London where there are new Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ), who might reap the rewards. Bakers, couriers, florists, plumbers, you name it - they’ll be desperate for the sort of attention they might receive when driving around in an ID. Buzz.
It’s a van that says,‘We’re progressive, we’re embracing technology, and - fundamentally - we’re different’. It’s not just another white van.
Yes, the novelty of the ID. Buzz will likely fade after a few years, but right now it’s as much a promotional tool as it is a vehicle.
So, what does the rise of the ID. Buzz mean for the future of electric vans?
For me, when we look back in years to come, I think the ID. Buzz will be a vehicle that first convinced lots of people who were perhaps sceptical about the electric power to dip their toes in the water.
Yes, there will be plenty of firms out there who are best placed - for now - in a petrol or diesel van. And that’s fine, we’re here to help them on that front.
And electric vans are, generally, more expensive to lease than ICE equivalents.
But we’ve seen a huge surge in interest for the ID. Buzz, as I’m sure other commercial lease vehicle brokers have too. It’s one of our most enquired about LCVs of 2023 so far, ahead of traditionally-fuelled vehicles like the Ford Transit Custom and Citroen Berlingo, in part because VW has got the price point spot on.
And the success of the ID. Buzz proves what can happen when the pricing is right.
I’d also say that now is the time to start thinking about your future fleet decisions. If the eye-catching ID. Buzz prompts you to accelerate your decision-making progress on the ‘ICE v Electric’ debate, then that’s got to be a good thing, with the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel vans looming.”
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