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3 row ID.Buzz world premiere huntington beach

VW has revealed the much-anticipated long wheelbase version of its ID. Buzz electric microbus, with an extra row of seats and starting deliveries next year in the US.

Update: we’ve added some more information we gathered today at the reveal event this morning in Huntington Beach, CA.

The new ID. Buzz version is much like the two-row European spec, but with a little more of just about everything. It has 282hp as opposed to 201hp (plus an available 330hp dual-motor configuration) with a top speed of 99 mph instead of 90 mph, 91kWh instead of 82kWh of battery, and is a full 10 inches longer. It also gets an openable rear window, unlike the two-row version.

Those additional 10 inches all come in the form of a 10-inch-longer wheelbase. At 192.4 inches long, the three-row ID. Buzz is actually a full 2 feet longer than VW’s original 168-inch-long microbus. This all means more space for humans and cargo compared to the two-row version. The extra row of seats takes up some of that space, but the 2nd row folds flat and 3rd row can be removed (and Canada will get a unique long-wheelbase, two-row version, without the third row of seats for those who just want more room).

Sitting in the car at the reveal event, there was no shortage of space. At 6′ tall in the 2nd row and with a 6’3″ VW dealer representative behind me, both of us had no shortage of room in any dimension. 6 adults should have no problem here, and probably 7 as long as at least one of them is skinny. VW is planning a 6-seat option, but we haven’t seen it yet.

The longer wheelbase also means room for an extra 9kWh of battery. VW hasn’t yet announced the range of the three-row version, though the European spec has 263 miles on the WLTP cycle. While the NA-spec has a larger battery, it’s also a longer and heavier vehicle, and EPA mileage estimates are significantly lower than WLTP estimates, so we can’t be sure what the final number will shake out as. All VW would tell is that it will be somewhere between 200-300 miles.

As for charging capability, the two-row bus has 170kW charging, but a VW rep told us that the larger battery will likely enable faster charging, perhaps as high as “around” 200kW.

The only solid efficiency-related answer VW provided in writing, though, is that the Buzz has a drag coefficient of .29, which it calls “very good for a vehicle of this shape” (i.e., a brick).

The North American model also comes in three new colors that aren’t available on the European spec: Cabana Blue, Metro Silver, and Indium Grey.

VW hasn’t yet specified a price for the US version of the ID.Buzz, but it starts in the $65K-$70K range in Europe after taxes. While the 3-row version is larger, VW hinted to us at the event that US pricing might even come in below European pricing, but that’s obviously not a promise as nothing is officially announced yet.

A lower price might be necessary because the ID.Buzz will be built in Germany and imported to the US, which means it won’t get access to tax credits like the US-built ID.4 does. This also means the US won’t get the cargo van – it would be subject to the “chicken tax” which keeps foreign trucks out of the US. VW says domestic production could happen, but that’s contingent on sales going well (we at Electrek think VW is underestimating the market for this car), and on production timelines.

Regardless, this puts the price near the high-end of the electric SUV market, nowhere near the entry level. We mention electric SUVs because there isn’t really another vehicle like this. There’s one plug-in hybrid minivan, the Pacifica Hybrid, and some commercial electric vans like the eSprinter and E-Transit. The ID. Buzz sits somewhere adjacent to a van and a minivan, with more character than either, so it’s hard to really find a direct competitor for it.

But the closest thing is probably minivans, and this will be much higher price than the gas-powered entry-level of that market, which is in the ~$35K range. That said, the Buzz may access some state and local incentives and will have lower running costs from energy and maintenance.

And, as the first all-electric entry into the market, VW probably thinks it can justify a higher price. Anecdotally, there does seem to be significant demand out there for a cool minivan-esque electric vehicle – especially one that could enable interesting conversion/adventure options.

VW didn’t give us any more news about the upcoming California camper van that it’s planning, but the long wheelbase gives VW room to work with. With all that space and built-in electricity, there should be some really cool options out there for van-lifers (perhaps even ones who want to stay off the grid with solar panels).

Electrek’s Take

We got a little hands-on time with the ID.Buzz at today’s reveal event in Huntington Beach, and crowds were pretty excited about the new electric bus.

The long wheelbase version brings a welcome addition for the rear seats – a window
This addon makes the floor flat when seats are folded down, plus offers storage underneath.
When charge door is open, the side door will stop before colliding with it. But if you open the side door first, the charge door won’t open.
A peek “under the hood”

As someone whose family had a VW Vanagon Westfalia camper growing up, the VW bus has special significance to me. My family went on a lot of adventures in that bus, and for all its quirks, it was an awesome vehicle.

And when I got into electric vehicles, I constantly thought about what a great platform a bus would be for an EV, with plenty of room under the floor for batteries which could power various camping accessories (stoves, lights, entertainment, etc.).

So when Voltswagen showed off its original ID. Buzz concept and leaned hard into the cool retro style of it all, I was immediately sold on the idea. I, and many others, thought it was just too cool.

Then reality set in, and the car ended up looking a little less “cute” than the original retro concept. The finalized version got a little more boxy shape, lost the characteristic old multi-window look, and the commercial/cargo version even lost the rear windows to just look like a normal van.

But still, between the two-tone paint job and short overhangs (though a less-forward driving position than classic buses, a result of modern safety requirements), the ID. Buzz remains more “fun” than a normal van. And it does have more character than most minivans, and is less boxy than other vans like the Sprinter and Transit.

At the event today, VW invited bus owners to show up, and there was a huge swath of them filling the parking lot. Many of them were excited to see the bus coming back, but, like me, wished it carried over more of the original spirit of the classic bus. That said, VW’s presentation leaned hard into that classic bus culture, so we hope it can continue to cultivate that and incorporate that spirit into the Buzz.

A 1979 electric VW bus with an 1,874lb, 25.9kWh lead acid battery

I do question, however, why North America can’t have the two-row version. It seems like everyone is releasing a three-row EV this year, as if suddenly every American family gained two or three extra members that their European counterparts did not.

Somehow, my family’s 180-inch camper slept my whole American family comfortably, despite being a foot shorter than today’s offering – and it even had a kitchen, too. And a Westfalia owner I spoke to, who owned the same vehicle I grew up in, said the same thing: he wished they’d have brought the smaller version here, and earlier.

VW of America told us that they could pick either the short or long wheelbase for NA, and they chose the long one. They think it would fit the market better, and its myriad customer types.

We have a strange obsession with bigger vehicles here, despite their enormous costs to society (e.g., thousands of pedestrian lives). Some would say that Americans simply demand larger vehicles, but the problem is more complex than that – it’s largely driven by poor regulation that incentivizes the upsizing of cars. Thankfully the EPA has shown signs that it would like to bend the needle back, but somewhat slowly.

Until then, we still get a neat, retro-esque bus that looks like it could get some awesome camper capabilities. But some of us may still wait for a more micro-version of the classic microbus, instead of the maxi-micro-bus America is getting now.

And there are still some questions that are yet unanswered (price, range), but I’m excited to see what VW does with this bus anyway – and to see what kind of cool modifications people get up to in offering potential camper versions and the like.

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Heybike Hauler cargo e-bike hits $999 low ($500 off), EcoFlow DELTA Pro with transfer switch at $1,709 low + other units, Worx, more

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July 7, 2025

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Heybike Hauler cargo e-bike hits 9 low (0 off), EcoFlow DELTA Pro with transfer switch at ,709 low + other units, Worx, more

It’s the calm before the storm as everyone prepares for Amazon’s Prime Day Sale event starting tomorrow morning (July 8), but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still solid Green Deals coming in today. Leading the pack is Heybike’s Hauler Cargo e-bike that is back down at its $999 low for the second time. Right behind it is EcoFlow’s final early Prime Day flash sale on three units, with the DELTA Pro Portable Power Station bundle coming back around at a $1,709 low that also gives you a free transfer switch and RAPID 5,000mAh power bank, as well as savings on DELTA 3 and WAVE 3 bundles from $529. We also have Worx’s Nitro 20V 8-inch Cordless Pole Chainsaw at its best 2025 rate of $119, as well as EGO’s 56V 21-inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower with a 5.0Ah battery and rapid charger at $365. Plus, there’s all the hangover Green Deals still seeing savings in our one-stop-shop July 4th hub in the links at the bottom of the page – with many of the savings ending tonight!

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Affordably carry cargo with Heybike’s single or dual-battery Hauler e-bike starting from a $999 low

As part of its Prime Day e-bike Sale, Heybike is offering its Hauler Cargo Single-Battery e-bike at $999 shipped, while the dual-battery counterpart is down at $1,399 shipped. You’d normally shell out $1,499 and $1,899 for these two setups at full price, though discounts regularly bring things down to $1,199 and $1,599, which we have seen go lower a few select times in 2025. Only once before have we seen these two low prices appear, back during the brand’s Memorial Day Sale, with you getting another chance at the $500 savings here today.

Heybike’s Hauler e-bike comes as an affordable means to transport precious cargo, with the 750W brushless geared hub motor peaking at up to 1,400W to tackle inclines and for better pick-up when you’ve got packages, groceries, and more on board. It can max out at 28 MPH speeds in states where it’s allowed, and comes with the two battery options that largely depend on how much travel time you need, with the solo-battery setup giving you up to 55 miles of pedal assisted support and the dual-battery setup increasing that travel range up to 85 miles.

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The Heybike Hauler e-bike boasts a 440-pound payload, as well as foldable running boards for when you want to bring a passenger along, not to mention the obvious integrated rear cargo rack that doubles as the seat. For the price right now, you’re also getting a solid lineup of features, including hydraulic front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, puncture-protected tires, a Shimano 7-speed derailleur, an auto-on LED headlight, a brake-lighting integrated taillight, and an LCD screen for data and setting adjustments.

You can check out Heybike’s full lineup of Prime Day e-bike deals on the landing page here.

EcoFlow DELTA Pro portable power station

Get sectional backup support with EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro and transfer switch + free power bank at $1,709 low

It’s the final day of EcoFlow’s early Prime Day Sale, and the brand’s final flash sale is in full swing through the rest of the day. The flash savings here are taking up to 54% off three units – two power station bundles and a bundle for the brand’s newest AC/heater solution. Leading the sale is the DELTA Pro Portable Power Station that comes with a free transfer switch for $1,709.05 shipped, after using the code EFPDAFF5 at checkout for an additional 5% savings – plus, you’ll also be getting a free RAPID 5,000mAh power bank thrown in too. We’ve been seeing many different flash sales focusing on the DELTA Pro at this same rate during this sale, which usually carries a $3,699 MSRP, though it is regularly sitting around $1,999 from Amazon (currently $1,784 there). Not only are you getting another chance at the biggest savings and the best price here, but you’re doing so while also getting the means for sectional home backup support.

One of the best and most expansive of EcoFlow’s legacy models, the DELTA Pro power station is ready to cover your campsites, outdoor gatherings, and home backup emergencies with a 3,600Wh LiFePO4 capacity that you can expand as high as 25kWh with future investments. There are 14 port options here, through which the station provides up to a steady 3,600W output that can surge up to 7,200W to cover larger appliances. It comes with three primary means to recharge: plugged into a standard outlet, through your car’s auxiliary port, or by connecting up to a maximum 1,600W solar input. The included transfer switch gives you sectional backup support of up to six circuits in your home or on an RV, with it pre-wired for easier installation.

You can also pick up the brand’s DELTA 3 Portable Power Station with a free protective bag at $529 shipped, down from its usual $778 pricing. This is a smaller and more affordable backup option that has a 1,024Wh LiFePo4 capacity and can be expanded up to 5,120Wh with various expansion batteries from across the DELTA ecosystem. It provides 1,800W output, surging to 2,200W when needed, and has 13 total output ports to use for connections to devices and appliances. It also boasts an expanded list of recharging options, including through an AC outlet, with a max 500W solar input, through car charging, generator charging, or there’s the multi-charging option of AC and solar together.

The last of these offers gives you the latest WAVE 3 Portable AC and Heater with an add-on battery and a free bag at $899 shipped, coming down from $1,299. With the battery included here, you can get up to 8 hours of wireless cooling/heating in your tent, car, or anywhere else you’re settling down. The 1,800W output here can “drop temperatures by 15 degrees in 15 minutes,” while the 2,000W heating output hits similar speeds, “raising the temperature by 17 degrees in 15 minutes” – with it able to cover 120 to 180 square feet spaces. There’s even some cool smart control expansions here, including the PetCare mode that automatically starts cooling once temperatures reach 77 degrees, among others.

Be sure to check out EcoFlow’s full early Prime Day Sale lineup here before it ends later tonight.

Worx Nitro 20V 8-inch Cordless Pole Chainsaw

Get 13.3 feet of reach with Worx’s telescoping Nitro 20V 8-inch cordless pole chainsaw at $119 annual low

Amazon is offering the best pricing of the last year on the Worx Nitro 20V 8-inch Cordless Pole Chainsaw at $119 shipped. Normally, you’d have to shell out $170 for this tool at full price, which we’ve seen discounts taking as low as $120 once over the last 12 months, with prices otherwise keeping above $129. While it has gone lower in past years, you’re looking at the best price we have tracked since summer 2024, giving you $51 in savings off its going rate.

You’ll have plenty of reach to trim high branches with this Worx Nitro pole chainsaw, especially with the telescoping pole allowing for tool-free extensions up to 13.3 feet – plus, it weighs in at just 8 pounds, making it easy to manage and operate, despite varying operator sizes. The 8-inch bar and chain has three different cutting angles (0 degrees, 15 degrees, and 30 degrees) it can be set to, with the automatic oiler keeping things lubricated and running smoothly as you work. What’s more, your comfort has been taken into account with the 180-degree rotating rear handle, allowing you to easily switch between vertical and horizontal cutting positions.

EGO Power+ 56V 21-inch cordless electric lawn mower

Bring home EGO’s 56V 21-inch cordless electric mower with a 5.0Ah battery and rapid charger at $365

Amazon is offering the EGO Power+ 56V 21-inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower with 5.0Ah battery and rapid charger at $364.60 shipped. This package would normally go for $430 at full price, which we’ve mostly seen it keeping at over the last 12 months, with few large price cuts on the books in that timeframe. While we have seen it go as low as $309 in the past, over the last 12 months, the rate we’re seeing today has only been beaten out by a short-lived drop to $350 back in April, with it otherwise being the best price we’ve spotted this year thanks to the $65 markdown.

You’ll get a much more budget-friendly means to tackle lawn care with this 56V 21-inch model over EGO’s higher-end mowers, giving you the torque of a gas engine without the noise and fumes. With the included 5.0Ah battery, the brushless motor will get up to 45 continuous minutes of runtime, while the rapid charger can have it back to full at much faster rates than a standard charger. There are six cutting height levels to adjust between (from 1.5 to 4 inches), as well as the versatility to side discharge, mulch, or collect clippings into the two-bushel bag. Not only does it come with an IPX4 weather-resistance construction, but it starts up at the push of a button and folds to a more compact size for easier storage options.

Best Summer EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Arizona brings a huge grid battery online ahead of peak demand

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July 7, 2025

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Arizona brings a huge grid battery online ahead of peak demand

Arizona grid battery
Photo: e-storage

One of Arizona’s biggest grid battery storage projects is now online and helping power homes as the summer heat ramps up.

Recurrent Energy, a subsidiary of Canadian Solar, just brought its 1,200 MWh Papago Storage facility in Maricopa County into commercial operation. The big grid battery is now supplying stored electricity to Arizona Public Service (APS), the state’s largest utility, in time for peak air-conditioning season.

Papago is the first of three Recurrent projects with APS. Together, they’ll provide 1,800 MWh of storage and 150 MW of solar power. That’s enough to run about 72,000 homes for four hours and provide year-round solar for another 24,000 homes.

“Summer is here, and we’re ready to serve APS customers with the energy they need when they need it,” said APS director of resource acquisition Derek Seaman.

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The Arizona Corporation Commission chair, Kevin Thompson, noted that bringing online one of Arizona’s largest battery storage projects during a critical time when energy demand is skyrocketing is a milestone.

Canadian Solar’s e-STORAGE arm built the project and will keep it running under a long-term agreement.

Recurrent CEO Ismael Guerrero said, “We’re proud to deliver flexible capacity that meets the state’s growing energy needs and grateful for APS’s continued partnership.”

If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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The Porsche Cayenne EV flexes its power towing 3-tons in public

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July 7, 2025

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The Porsche Cayenne EV flexes its power towing 3-tons in public

Porsche-Cayenne-EV-public

Porsche promises the new electric SUV will “set new standards,” and it’s already proving it. Ahead of its upcoming launch, the Porsche Cayenne EV proved its might by towing a 100-year-old classic car and trailer weighing around 3 tons in public.

Porsche Cayenne EV flexes its performance in public

The Porsche Cayenne EV is already smashing records, and it’s not even out yet. Last month, a prototype beat every gas-powered SUV, setting a new SUV record at the Shelsley Walsh hill climb by more than four seconds.

Now, it’s at it again. Porsche showcased a near-production-ready Cayenne EV prototype in England for the first time as part of a public film shoot.

The camouflaged Cayenne EV showcased its impressive power by towing a 100-year-old classic car weighing over 2 tons. Including the trailer, the total weight was around 3 tons.

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British TV presenter Richard Hammond took the Cayenne EV from his workshop in Hereford to his garage, towing the classic car behind.

According to Hammond, the electric SUV “handled it effortlessly,” adding, “We were trailing significant weight behind us, but you wouldn’t know it.”

Porsche-Cayenne-EV-public
Porsche Cayenne EV towing a 3-ton trailer and classic car (Source: Porsche)

Porsche designed the Cayenne EV and its high-voltage system, “to be one of the first BEVs in the world to achieve a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes.” Depending on the configuration, it will be just as capable, if not more, than the current combustion-engine Cayenne.

As Michael Schätzle, Vice President of the Product Line Cayenne, explained, “That’s why we didn’t want to make any compromises in the development of the all-electric model.”

Porsche-Cayenne-EV-public
Porsche Cayenne EV prototype at Shelsley Walsh 2025 (Source: Porsche)

The Porsche Cayenne EV was initially set to launch this year, but it’s now expected to debut in production form later this year as a 2026 model. A “conspicuously camouflaged prototype” will be on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 10 to July 13.

More information, including prices and specifications, will be revealed closer to launch. However, we do know that it will be based on the PPE platform, the same one underpinning the Macan EV and the Audi Q6 e-Tron.

The Macan EV has an EPA-estimated range of 308 miles. On the European WLTP scale, it’s rated at 613 km (381 miles). However, Porsche said the platform will receive “comprehensive upgrades” for the Cayenne.

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