Volkswagen plans launch of electric van fleet from 2028

German carmaker Volkswagen plans to convert its entire van fleet to electric from 2028, starting with the large Crafter model, following the debut last year of the ID. Buzz electric van.

"We are planning a synchronized model change, not all at once, but neatly staggered in a reasonable rhythm," VW Commercial Vehicles chief Carsten Intra told dpa.

The other models will then follow gradually, culminating in the creation of a complete e-vehicle family under the project name "Space."

To date, the VW van division based in Hanover has primarily focussed on e-mobility with the ID. Buzz, which was launched in 2022 and which will also offer a long-wheelbase version and a sports variant next year.

The electrification of the whole fleet is the result of a cancelled major order from Audi. VW's sister company had actually planned to have a new top-of-the-range electric model built in Hanover from 2026. However, Audi cancelled the order in September.

As a replacement, VW Commercial Vehicles was awarded the contract by the Group for its own electric platform, which allows for the development of an entire vehicle family.

Intra is convinced that this will more than compensate for the cancelled Audi order: "We are now strengthening our own commercial vehicle expertise with our own platform. We've never had that before."

"We have completely reorganised our strategy," said Intra. "From a lot of external production for other brands to our own products. What we have now is actually a vision for the next 15 to 20 years."