From the presentation of the ID. Buzz, in 2017, which is expected, with great expectation in some markets, the launch of the Californian version, the trailer designed from the electric van that succeeded the Pão de Forma of the 60s. It was also known that the normal version of the model could generate more accessible and less sophisticated proposals, but that the LWB version (of long wheelbase), 25 cm longer in the wheelbase, expanding the potential of the California version.
Edison Media, in Germany, recently advanced that Volkswagen would be with trouble adjusting the motorhomes electric vehicles within the permitted weight limits for drivers with driving license B, which does not allow to exceed 3500 kg of gross weight. Regardless of the interest of the information, the Edison story ends up repeating the old story of the boy who cries “the king goes naked” from Andersen’s folktale, since it was already known that the additional weight of the batteries would considerably increase the weight of this type of vehiclewhich even led the European Union (EU) to raise the bar.
At the suggestion of the EU itself, several Member States, starting with Portugal, kept the 3,500 kg limit for B driving licenses for all vehicles, but created a second threshold of 4250 kg for models that use mechanics powered by alternative energies, which obviously implies 100% electric vehicles, battery powered or fuel cells hydrogen, but also all the others that do not use traditional gasoline and diesel as fuel. This increase of 750 kg allows to accommodate large batteries, such as pack with 100 kWh capacity it exceeds 600 kg.
Going back to identification. Buzz, the version with normal wheelbase and 82 kWh capacity battery announces a curb weight of 2,480 kg, which corresponds to a gross weight of 3,000 kg, if we add five occupants and their luggage. If we add to all this the specific equipment for small motorhomes, from the kitchen to the structure that acts as a bed and the different compartments for storing objects, it is easy to exceed 3500 kg. especially if we add the parasols on the roof (about 100 kg).
VW’s hope is focused specifically on the ID. Buzz LWB, whose additional 25 cm of wheelbase (and total length) allow to reinforce the available space. It turns out that this larger caliber also increases the gross weight, to which must be added the increase in weight caused by the largest battery in LWB service, which goes from 82/77 kWh to 92/85 kWh. This “bigger” version of ID. Buzz will necessarily weigh more than 3,500 kg, but may eventually be below the accepted 4,250 kg in some markets (like ours). Especially if the builder invests in lighter (and more expensive) materials to minimize weight gain.
The problem that the identification. Buzz’s faces will be equally force others motorhomes competing electrical appliances to the same type of containment effort. And these “campers” are not the only ones who need different countries to adopt 4,250 kg as the maximum limit for vehicles with alternative fuels, to avoid their drivers having to make a improvement of your trucking license. Also high-end armored trams will easily exceed 3,500 kg. It is enough to see that a BMW i7 or a Mercedes EQS have a curb weight close to 2,700 kg, more than 200 kg above the ID. Buzz, so the gross weight will exceed this bar with the necessary protections and reinforcements to protect the occupants from gunfire or bomb attacks.
Source: Observadora
