Volkswagen ID. Buzz
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an electric people carrier. We cover 4 versions of it. Our default version, the Life 5-seat SWB 79 kWh, has a 79 kWh usable battery, an official range of 282 miles and charging at up to 11 kW on AC and 185 kW on DC. The maker's braked towing limit for that version is 1,200 kg.
Your car
Showing the entry-level version. Wrong version?
Not sure which version you have? The model is on your V5C logbook.
Generic outline: a plain drawing for this body type, scaled to the car's published size where we have it. It is not this car. Hover over or tab through the choices to see which part each one changes.
- Usable battery
- 79 kWh
Official
Source
- Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz brochure (checked 12 October 2026)
What the document says
Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz brochure: usable battery, 79 kWh
Technical specifications page, "Battery" section
- Official range (WLTP)
- 282 miles
Official
Source
- Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz brochure (checked 12 October 2026)
What the document says
Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz brochure: WLTP combined range, 282 miles
Technical information > Fuel consumption, performance and emissions table, row "Life 5-seat SWB"
- Max AC charging
- 11 kW
Official
Source
- Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz brochure (checked 12 October 2026)
What the document says
Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz brochure: maximum AC charging power, 11 kW
Standard equipment highlights of the ID. Buzz Life (Style is "in addition to Life", GTX "in addition to Style")
- Max DC charging
- 185 kW
Official
Source
- Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz technical specifications page (checked 12 October 2026)
What the document says
Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz technical specifications page: maximum DC charging power, 185 kW
Technical specifications page, "Battery" section
- Kerb weight
- 2,550 kg
Official
Source
- Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz brochure (checked 12 October 2026)
What the document says
Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz brochure: kerb weight, 2,550 kg
Technical information > Weights table, row "Life 5-seat SWB"
- Braked towing limit
- 1,200 kg
Official
Source
- Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz brochure (checked 12 October 2026)
What the document says
Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz brochure: braked towing limit, 1,200 kg
Technical information > Weights table, row "Life 5-seat SWB"
What do you want to know?
Charging times
AC times are worked out from this version's figures. Rapid-charging times are estimates, shown as a band.
| Charger | Time | Miles added per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 3-pin plug2.3 kW (10 A) | 23 h 58 min Derived 47.4 kWh to add (20→80% of 79 kWh) ÷ (2.3 kW × 0.86 charging efficiency for a 3-pin socket) = 23.96 h. Sources
| 6 miles per hour Derived 1.98 kW into the battery × 3.10 miles per kWh. Converted from 20.04 kWh/100 km (1 mile = 1.609 km); the input figure is itself derived. Sources
|
| 7 kW home charger | 7 h 26 min Derived 47.4 kWh to add (20→80% of 79 kWh) ÷ (7 kW × 0.91 charging efficiency for a home wallbox) = 7.44 h. Sources
| 20 miles per hour Derived 6.37 kW into the battery × 3.10 miles per kWh. Converted from 20.04 kWh/100 km (1 mile = 1.609 km); the input figure is itself derived. Sources
|
| 11 kW public AC | 4 h 35 min Derived 47.4 kWh to add (20→80% of 79 kWh) ÷ (11 kW × 0.94 charging efficiency for public AC) = 4.58 h. Sources
| 32 miles per hour Derived 10.34 kW into the battery × 3.10 miles per kWh. Converted from 20.04 kWh/100 km (1 mile = 1.609 km); the input figure is itself derived. Sources
|
| 22 kW public AC | 4 h 35 min Derived 47.4 kWh to add (20→80% of 79 kWh) ÷ (11 kW × 0.94 charging efficiency for public AC) = 4.58 h. Sources
| 32 miles per hour Derived 10.34 kW into the battery × 3.10 miles per kWh. Converted from 20.04 kWh/100 km (1 mile = 1.609 km); the input figure is itself derived. Sources
|
| 50 kW rapid | 1 h 10 min to 1 h 28 min Estimated Our charging-curve model scaled to the car's 185 kW DC peak, 10→80%, charger capped at 50 kW. The band is the model's measured error on detailed curves (on those test cars real charges were slower than the model): see the methodology. Sources
| 117 to 146 miles per hour Estimated Average power over the session (38–47 kW) × 3.10 miles per kWh. Converted from 20.04 kWh/100 km (1 mile = 1.609 km); the input figure is itself derived. Source
|
| Ultra-rapid150 kW or more | 25 min to 31 min Estimated Our charging-curve model scaled to the car's 185 kW DC peak, 10→80%, charger capped at 150 kW. The band is the model's measured error on detailed curves (on those test cars real charges were slower than the model): see the methodology. Sources
| 328 to 410 miles per hour Estimated Average power over the session (106–132 kW) × 3.10 miles per kWh. Converted from 20.04 kWh/100 km (1 mile = 1.609 km); the input figure is itself derived. Source
|
Real-world range
Official range (WLTP): 282 miles Official Source What the document says Technical information > Fuel consumption, performance and emissions table, row "Life 5-seat SWB"Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz brochure: WLTP combined range, 282 miles
Real-world range, 100% to 0%
200 to 295 miles Estimated Official range 282 miles × 0.705–1.044 (the 10th to 90th percentile of measured ÷ official range in 65 published tests, Cool (about 6 to 14 °C)). Median 260 miles. About one test in five fell outside the band. Sources
Typical: about 260 miles. Cool (about 6 to 14 °C), mixed driving (town and A-roads, up to about 56 mph). In the 65 published tests in this temperature band (of 201 range tests we use), measured range was usually 71% to 104% of the official figure. Heater use, hills, wind and a loaded car aren't included. How we worked it out.
We don't give a figure for hot weather (28 °C and over) or for speeds above 75 mph: there isn't enough test data.
Running costs
Cost per mile
10.9p a mile Estimated Home: 26.32p/kWh ÷ 0.91 charging efficiency ÷ 3.10 miles per kWh = 9.3p a mile. Rapid: 79.0p/kWh ÷ 3.10 = 25.5p a mile. Blended 90% home, 10% rapid. Sources
A year, 9,400 miles
£1,029 a year Estimated 10.9p a mile × 9,400 miles. Home: 26.32p/kWh ÷ 0.91 charging efficiency ÷ 3.10 miles per kWh = 9.3p a mile. Rapid: 79.0p/kWh ÷ 3.10 = 25.5p a mile. Blended 90% home, 10% rapid. Sources
Same miles in a 45 mpg petrol car
£1,665 a year (17.7p a mile) Derived 175.3p per litre × 4.546 litres per gallon ÷ 45 mpg = 17.7p a mile; × 9,400 miles. Source
This car costs about £636 a year less than the petrol car on these inputs. Petrol at 175.3p a litre, the UK average for the week of 12 October 2026.
Towing
Check a caravan or trailer against this version's published towing figures, and see how far you could go. The limits are the maker's figures, not a recommendation.
Towing range, 100% to 10%
90 to 130 miles Estimated Solo real-world range 240 miles (the official 282 miles × 0.85, our estimate) less the range loss seen in 25 published real-world towing tests (mostly caravans): 39.3% to 57.3% (10th to 90th percentile). Sources
That's the usable range from 100% down to 10% (100 to 145 miles to empty). Based on 25 published real-world tests: how we worked it out. Enter your own solo miles per kWh to base it on your driving.
Legal check
The limits below are the maker's published figures for this version. They are not a recommendation: your car's plate and handbook decide what you may tow.
- Within the braked towing limit of 1,200 kg (150 kg to spare).
- Above the unbraked limit of 750 kg: the trailer must have its own working brakes (a braked trailer).
- Nose load limit: 75 kg. Check the trailer's actual nose load at the hitch with a nose-weight gauge: it must not exceed this.
- Gross train weight limit 4,200 kg: the car as loaded (kerb 2,550 kg + 150 kg people and luggage) plus the trailer comes to 3,750 kg, 450 kg under.
Weight guideline
Licence
If you passed your car test on or after 1 January 1997, you can drive an electric car with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 4,250 kg and tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500 kg, as long as the car and trailer together are no more than 7,000 kg. If you passed before 1997, you can usually drive a car and trailer up to 8,250 kg MAM combined. (GOV.UK, Driving licence categories, checked 13 October 2026)
Where these figures come from
- Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz brochure
usable battery, max AC, official range, efficiency, kerb weight, gross vehicle weight, gross train weight, braked towing limit, unbraked towing limit, nose load, roof load, wheel sizes, length, width, wheelbase. Official / Derived. Manufacturer document: facts taken, nothing copied. Checked 12 October 2026. - Open EV Data, entry "Volkswagen ID. Buzz 2024 NWB Pro"
AC phases, charging curve. Derived. Open EV Data: MIT licence with attribution requirement. Checked 12 October 2026. - Volkswagen UK, ID. Buzz technical specifications page
max DC. Official. Manufacturer document: facts taken, nothing copied. Checked 12 October 2026.
Tools for this car
Volkswagen ID. Buzz questions
What is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz towing capacity?
The maker's UK towing limit is from 1,000 kg (Life 7-seat LWB 86 kWh) to 1,800 kg (GTX 4Motion 5-seat SWB 79 kWh), braked. The Life 5-seat SWB 79 kWh is 1,200 kg braked and 750 kg unbraked. The VIN plate (usually on a door pillar) or your owner's handbook has the figure for your exact car. See the towing tab.
How long does a Volkswagen ID. Buzz take to charge on a 3-pin plug?
About 23 h 58 min from 20% to 80% on a 2.3 kW 3-pin cable for the Life 5-seat SWB 79 kWh, against about 7 h 26 min on a 7 kW home charger. See the charging times tab.
What is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz charging speed?
The Life 5-seat SWB 79 kWh takes up to 185 kW on a rapid (DC) charger and 11 kW on AC. We estimate 25 min to 31 min for 10% to 80% on a 150 kW charger: an estimate, so it's a band. See the charging times tab.
What is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz towing range with a caravan?
With a 1,050 kg caravan, expect about 90 to 130 miles from 100% down to 10% in the Life 5-seat SWB 79 kWh. That's based on 25 published real-world towing tests, not a maker's figure. See the towing tab.
What is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz real-world range in winter?
About 200 to 245 miles from 100% to 0% in cold weather (around 0 °C), against the official 282 miles for the Life 5-seat SWB 79 kWh. That's based on published real-world range tests. See the real-world range tab.
How much does a Volkswagen ID. Buzz cost to run?
About 10.9p a mile, or £1,029 for 9,400 miles a year, charging at home at 26.32p per kWh (the Ofgem price cap) and 10% on rapid chargers. A 45 mpg petrol car would cost about £1,665. See the running costs tab.