Electric Camping in the Wild: A VW ID. Buzz Takes on the Olympic Peninsula

Tom Richell set out to test the limits of Volkswagen's all-electric ID. Buzz on a camping trip across Washington State's Olympic Peninsula, a million-acre wilderness area with rugged coastline, snow-dusted mountain passes, and rainforests. With a rough plan in place and a trusty app to guide him, Richell embarked on a five-day adventure to see if the Buzz could handle the challenges of off-grid camping in an electric vehicle.

Key Takeaways:

• The VW ID. Buzz proved to be a capable and reliable companion for the trip, handling various terrain and charging needs with ease.
• Richell spent a total of $75 on charging public rapid chargers over the course of a week, despite covering relatively modest distances.
• The Buzz's range held up well, with a maximum of 3.4 miles per kWh on flat roads and around 2.7 miles per kWh on steep climbs.
• The vehicle's regenerative braking system allowed for power recovery on downhill slopes, using less energy than expected.
• The Buzz's space and flexibility made it an ideal campervan, with ample room for gear and sleeping arrangements.
• Richell praised the vehicle's cuteness, citing numerous interactions with passersby who were drawn to the vehicle's unique design.
• The trip highlighted the importance of planning and preparation for electric vehicle camping, including researching charging infrastructure and route optimization.
• Richell noted that while the Buzz's range was impressive, charging on the road can be expensive, especially with public rapid chargers.
• The vehicle's seven USB-C ports and tray storage made it feel like a "car first, camper second" experience, but with a surprisingly comfortable bed and ample storage.

Statistics:

• Total distance covered on the trip: approximately 250 miles per day, with daily charging stops to replenish fuel.
• Total charging costs over the course of a week: $75.
• Maximum miles per kWh on flat roads: 3.4 miles.
• Minimum miles per kWh on steep climbs: 2.7 miles.
• Number of public rapid charging stops made during the trip: 3.
• Total time spent charging: approximately 1-2 hours per day, depending on the distance covered.

Sources:

• Tom Richell's article on The Huffington Post
• The Dyrt app for researching unofficial and wild camping spots
• ZapMap and Electrify America for researching electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• Volkswagen for information on the ID. Buzz's specifications and features.