Volkswagen Unveils ID. California Cruise EV Camper
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- Volkswagen debuted the ID. California Cruise at Caravan Salon 2026, its first fully electric California camper based on the ID. Buzz, with customer deliveries scheduled for early 2027 and more electric California models planned over the coming years.
- The ID. California Cruise sleeps two on a 2.03m x 1.20m bed and includes a 9cm-thick folding comfort mattress, blackout blinds on all windows, two camping chairs, and a table; Volkswagen partnered with Stuff Bubble to develop an inflatable camping kitchen that stores inside the van.
- The EV camper offers vehicle-to-load (V2L) output of up to 2,000 watts continuous (3.6 kW peak) for powering coffee makers, laptops, or e-bikes, plus a new "California mode" that runs selected lights, USB ports, and comfort functions for up to 48 hours overnight.
- Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is offering the camper in short wheelbase (79 kWh battery, up to 461 km / 286 mi WLTP range) and long wheelbase (86 kWh battery, up to 487 km / 302 mi) versions, built on the ID. Buzz Pro with Interior Style, Comfort, and V2L packages as standard.
- Pricing in Germany starts at €60,761 (~$70,500), and VW is adding new electric-trip functions to the California App that navigate to charging stops and support Plug & Charge sessions.
- The California camper is not expected to reach the US — VW doesn't currently sell the California nameplate stateside — though a new Tourer model for the 2027 ID. Buzz lineup will offer a fold-out bed, Overnight mode, and blackout shades in North America.
Why it matters: Volkswagen is committing to an all-electric California lineup starting at €60,761 in Germany, but the brand isn't bringing the camper to the US — meaning American buyers get the lower-rung Tourer fold-out version instead. The V2L output (2,000W continuous) and 48-hour California mode position the ID. Buzz-based camper as a functional mobile power station, not just a weekend people-mover.
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