What is it?  It’s hard to decide whether the I.D. Buzz is the sexiest cargo van ever invented or the most practical cargo van ever invented. Oh, hell, let’s just fawn over it completely and say it’s both.

Why is it important?  Well, it’s electric, which makes it part of the emissions-reducing hype sweeping the automotive world. Volkswagenclaims they could deliver 550 kilometres of range from its 111 kilowatt-hour battery, so it appears it may even be practical. Those more concerned with value and needing less range can look forward to a smaller, more economical 48-kWh version that is also proposed. The concept — and there is absolutely no word on whether this will ever hit production — even incorporates a solar panel into the roof. It may only add about 13 kilometres of range per day, assuming maximum sunlight, but it will get the enviro-weenies all a-twitter. And, not to be left out of any high-tech trend, Volkswagen’s cute little cargo hauler has an “I.D. Pilot” that is said to be fully autonomous.