ABT Outfits ID.Buzz w/ Solar Roof for Enhanced Range

Harnessing Sunlight to Power a Camper Fridge

Volkswagen’s highly-anticipated ID. Buzz won’t be arriving to the United States until June, but the German automaker has estimated that in 2021, the evanescent van will see 40,000 examples produced for both domestic and international consumption. Even though electric vehicles are still largely a niche segment of the automotive industry, the aftermarket scene is gradually unfolding with offerings tailored just for these BEVs; Case in point – ABT, renowned German performance tuning experts, now offers roof solar modules for the ID. Buzz, providing it with an additional free source of electrical energy from the sun!

Created by the organization’s digital side unit for electric-controlled vehicle items, the sun based boards were created to be utilized on the long-wheelbase adaptation of the model, which will be the one accessible in the United States beginning this late spring. ABT expresses that the restricted rooftop region and unpredictable shapes of the sun based modules makes it troublesome and excessively expensive to offer the alternative for the littler counts. In any case, a development through the vehicle’s sideboards is at present being produced.

What are the potential rewards? ABT claims that, when the conditions are perfect, customers can obtain up to 600 watts at maximum power. Rough approximations illustrate that the energy generated on the rooftop panels should equate to an augmented range of up to 1,865 miles annually without having a grid connection. If the planned side panel solar components also roll out into production, these numbers could raise up to an additional 1,000 watts and offer motorists more than 2,000 miles of increased driving distance in one year.

Nevertheless, ABT envisions a possible application for the roof panels that reaches beyond just charging the battery of the vehicle. If mounted on an ID.Buzz camper van – and one can be sure that the ID.Buzz California will be available off the assembly line following 2025 – the panels could thus provide energy to a cooler, interior illumination, or additional onboard systems.

If you have been captivated by what you perceived and heard, then unfortunately, you’ll have to wait till next year’s commencement should you wish for a photovoltaic enhancement for your vehicle. ABT expects the pieces to be in production by early 2024 and aim to collaborate with Volkswagen for installation in a professional factory setting, consequently, leading to hassle-free procedures and reduced costs. Nevertheless, there isn’t any pricing intelligence accessible yet.

Source: ABT