Volkswagen will present the ID. California Cruise, the first fully electric version of the California family, at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf from August 28 to September 6, 2026. Based on the ID. Buzz, it will be the first in a line of electric campers arriving by 2028. Batteries of 79 or 86 kWh are expected, with a range of about 480 km. The model is unlikely to appear in the US due to 25% tariffs on German cars.
The camper will feature the ID. Buzz architecture, two sliding doors, and a rear bench that converts into a sleeping area. The main market will be Europe, where the California family has already sold over 260,000 units. The production version is expected in 2027.
However, launching such a vehicle faces serious challenges: plant closures, loss of space due to batteries, and a lack of charging infrastructure at campsites. Moreover, the vanlife market remains diesel-oriented, and the hybrid version of the current California sells poorly.
The stand also showcased inflatable modules for the California Beach, developed with Stuff Bubble, including a kitchen weighing less than 10 kg and sleeping modules for up to four people. In Germany, the company celebrated the production of the 250,000th California at the Hanover plant.
According to a Japanese outlet, production of the series version is planned to start in 2028 at the Hanover plant. The California line previously included versions based on the T6.1 and T7.