[1/2] The fully electric VW ID Buzz, is pictured on a production line at a Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle plant in Hanover, Germany, June 16, 2022. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer/File Photo
FRANKFURT, June 2 (Reuters) – Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) will start selling battery-powered versions of its VW bus in North America from 2024 onwards, the carmaker said on Friday, in what marks the reintroduction of the iconic model after a two-decade hiatus.
The introduction of the fully electric ID. Buzz will also include an extra-long version that can seat up to seven passengers and features a larger 85 kilowatt hour (kWh) battery to increase range.
“With the T4 generation, the VW bus left the USA and Canada 20 years ago. But the microbus – as the VW bus is called between New York and San Francisco – has retained its cult status right up to the present day,” Volkswagen said in a statement.
All ID. Buzz vehicles for the North American market will be built at Volkswagen’s plant in Hanover, Germany, the company said, adding batteries could be charged from 10%-80% in 25 minutes at available rapid charging stations.
Reporting by Christoph Steitz
Editing by Madeline Chambers
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