Volkswagen’s mobility division, MOIA, has officially revealed the production version of its much-anticipated autonomous electric van, the ID. Buzz AD. The vehicle represents a pivotal step in Volkswagen’s efforts to redefine future mobility solutions, targeting commercial fleets and transport operators in both Europe and the United States.
The unveiling of the ID. Buzz AD comes amid intensified competition in the autonomous vehicle sector, just days after Tesla announced it would begin trial operations of its Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, on 22 June. While Tesla’s approach centres on passenger ride-hailing services, Volkswagen is carving a distinct path by focusing on corporate clients and mobility service providers.
Engineered to meet Level 4 autonomous driving standards, the ID. Buzz AD has been purpose-built for mobility service deployment. The design features a stretched wheelbase and an elevated roof to maximise cabin space and passenger comfort. Entry into the vehicle is facilitated via smartphone, suggesting a seamless app-based access system.
Inside, the cabin is tailored for shared travel, offering four spacious passenger seats, wood-style flooring, and large grab handles for ease of movement. Functional controls, including SOS, Support, and Start/Stop buttons, are integrated for added safety and convenience. MOIA has also incorporated onboard artificial intelligence, designed to maintain passenger comfort while ensuring operational safety.
Despite its autonomous capabilities, the van still includes a driver’s seat and what appears to be a partially camouflaged steering wheel. This hints at the presence of a fallback safety driver during initial operations. The seat itself can reportedly be retracted when not needed. In a further nod to practicality, both the front passenger seat and centre console have been removed, making room for additional storage space that can accommodate luggage or other items.
The standout feature of the ID. Buzz AD is its comprehensive autonomous driving system. Equipped with an array of 27 sensors—comprising 13 cameras, nine LiDAR units, and five radars—the van offers full 360-degree situational awareness through a layered, redundant sensor network. At the heart of its autonomy is Mobileye’s advanced self-driving technology, integrated with MOIA’s proprietary Autonomous Driving Mobility as a Service (AD MaaS) Ecosystem Platform.
This complete solution is intended to offer a plug-and-play system for public and private mobility operators. The company is positioning the ID. Buzz AD as a one-stop service platform, offering not just the vehicle and technology, but also fleet management tools, a customer-focused booking interface, and backend operational systems—all fully integrated to facilitate large-scale deployment.
Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume confirmed that the commercial rollout of the ID. Buzz AD is targeted to begin in 2026, subject to regulatory approval. He emphasised the broader vision behind the initiative, stating that the company aims to bring sustainable, autonomous mobility into widespread use across key global markets. This, he said, marks another crucial milestone in Volkswagen’s transformation into a leading technology player within the global automotive sector.
As the race to establish dominance in the autonomous vehicle industry accelerates, Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz AD is poised to play a central role in shaping the future of urban transport and corporate mobility.
