VW’s Electric Hippy Microbus Struggles In America Don’t Signal EV Collapse - CleanTechnica

The article discusses Volkswagen’s electric ID.Buzz microbus and its contrasting market performance, highlighting that its struggles in the U.S. do not reflect a broader failure of the electric vehicle (EV) transition. In the U.S., the ID.Buzz has faced significant challenges including high import tariffs (about 27.5%) that inflated prices, a limited EPA-estimated range of roughly 234 miles compared to competitors, and a costly recall due to safety compliance issues. These factors led to sharply reduced shipments—fewer than 600 units over three months—falling far short of Volkswagen’s original target of 40,000 annual sales. However, the article emphasizes that this American experience is not representative globally. In Europe, the ID.Buzz has been highly successful, aligning well with consumer preferences and benefiting from strong EV infrastructure. Volkswagen delivered around 27,600 units globally in the first half of 2025, mostly in Europe, where the company’s EV sales surged about 90%