VW and DHL Team Up for Green Delivery Test
On November 22, 2023, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles announced a collaboration with DHL Express to conduct a pilot test of the ID. Buzz Cargo fleet in South Africa. Four ID. Buzz Cargo units will be deployed at DHL Express Service Centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban for six months. These units will be used for specialised last-mile delivery services as part of DHL's local pilot initiative to achieve global zero-emission logistics goals.
The introduction of the ID. Buzz Cargo's test fleet aligns with Volkswagen Group South Africa's strategy for electric vehicles within the Volkswagen brand in South Africa. This test fleet serves the dual purpose of raising awareness about Volkswagen's electric cars in South Africa and gathering valuable insights crucial to the brand's electric vehicle strategy.
Thomas Milz, Director of Sales and Marketing at VWSA, expressed, "Our partnership with DHL Express for the ID. Buzz Cargo's test fleet signifies the commencement of Volkswagen's long-term plan to gradually introduce electric vehicles to the local market. By the end of this pilot test, we aim to accumulate sufficient data and insights to gauge the readiness of the local market for introducing a commercial electric vehicle like the ID. Buzz Cargo. We are thrilled to collaborate with DHL, which shares our commitment to achieving zero emissions by 2050 by the Paris Climate Agreement."
Jed Michaletos, Managing Director of DHL Express South Africa, stated, "As the world's leading logistics company, we recognise our responsibility to set industry standards and lead in sustainability. Through various initiatives, DHL Express is dedicated to achieving zero emissions by 2050, ensuring that at least 60% of our last-mile delivery vehicles are electric by 2030. We are enthusiastic about partnering with VWSA to pilot their ID. Buzz in our South African operations."
Also worth a look: the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Touareg.
FAQ
Q: What is the VW ID. Buzz Cargo and how much does it cost in South Africa?
The VW ID. Buzz Cargo is Volkswagen's electric commercial van that's currently being tested in South Africa through a pilot programme with DHL Express. Pricing hasn't been officially announced yet since it's still in the testing phase, but expect it to be positioned as a premium electric commercial vehicle when it eventually launches locally.
Q: Is the VW ID. Buzz Cargo worth buying for South African businesses?
It's too early to say definitively since the ID. Buzz Cargo is still undergoing testing in SA, but if you're a business looking at electric commercial vehicles and can handle the likely premium pricing, it could be worth considering once it launches officially. The six-month DHL pilot will give us real-world data on how it performs in South African conditions.
Q: When will the VW ID. Buzz Cargo be available to buy in South Africa?
Volkswagen hasn't announced an official launch date yet, but the six-month pilot test with DHL that started in November 2023 is designed to gather data about market readiness. Based on typical timelines, we'd expect a potential launch announcement sometime in 2024 if the pilot proves successful.
Q: What range does the VW ID. Buzz Cargo have and is it suitable for South African delivery routes?
While VW hasn't released official range figures for the South African market yet, the European version offers around 425km of range, which should handle most urban delivery routes in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban where the pilot is being conducted. The DHL test will show us how it performs in real SA conditions.
Should You Buy It?
Hold your horses, boet. The VW ID. Buzz Cargo isn't actually available to buy in South Africa yet, it's still being put through its paces in a pilot programme with DHL. While we don't have confirmed pricing, expect it to cost significantly more than traditional diesel vans when it does arrive, likely starting around R800,000 to R1,000,000 based on European pricing converted to rand. If you're running a delivery business and are serious about going green, keep an eye on this one, but for now you'll have to wait for VW to finish collecting their data and decide if South Africans are ready for electric commercial vehicles. The smart money says wait for the pilot results before making any buying decisions.
