Reviving the iconic Volkswagen Bus has been a long and winding journey, but the 2025 ID.Buzz is set to make its electric debut in the United States. However, while the ID.Buzz brings a modern twist, it doesn’t replace the beloved Bus culture. That’s where Seattle-based Peace Vans comes in. With a rich history in VW repairs, restorations, and rentals, Peace Vans has become the largest Bus repair and restoration concern in the U.S. Under the guidance of an ex-Microsoft executive, the shop has expanded its offerings to include customized camper packages for ID.Buzz owners.
Peace Vans has delved into the world of upfitting modern cars, particularly the popular Mercedes vans used as bug-out vehicles. With expertise gained from upfitting over 1,000 Mercedes campers in just six years, Peace Vans is well-prepared to customize the ID.Buzz for various levels of getaways.
There are three buildouts available for ID.Buzz owners, each catering to different needs and preferences. The first two buildouts require the removal of the third-row seats, while the last buildout necessitates getting rid of the second and third-row seats.
The Buzz.Box is designed for the “versatile weekend camper” and offers a compact kitchen setup. Equipped with a sink, single-burner stove, cutting board areas, a Dometic 35-liter fridge, storage space, and a bin for the vehicle charging cord, this buildout provides the essentials. Additionally, it features a trim bin with built-in slots for a Bluetooth speaker, wireless charging pad, and other accessories. The starting price for the Buzz.Box is $7,995.
For those seeking a more comfortable sleeping arrangement, the Buzz.Box.Sleeper is the perfect choice. This buildout includes a “nearly queen-size” bed created by making the top of the kitchen black and folding down the rear seats. The Buzz.Box.Sleeper is priced at $10,995.
Both the Buzz.Box and Buzz.Box.Sleeper can be ordered from Peace Vans and installed locally. The installation process typically takes two people about a day to complete.
For enthusiasts looking for a true Deadhead experience, there is the Buzz.Camper. Although it lacks the psychedelic graphics associated with the original Bus culture, it emphasizes comfort. The Buzz.Camper features a mini kitchen with a sink, stove, and refrigerator, albeit in a compact layout located between the front seats and the L-shaped rear lounge, which converts into a double bed. While the sink is conveniently positioned next to the stove, cutting and prep work must be done on the dining room table in the middle of the lounge. Additionally, for pleasant camping spots with fewer bugs, the Buzz.Camper comes with a folding outdoor workspace. The overall layout of the Buzz.Camper caters to four space types: work, eat, chill, and sleep.
To purchase the Buzz.Camper, owners have two options. They can either bring their ID.Buzz to Seattle for installation, which takes up to three weeks, or buy a Buzz directly from Peace Vans through the Peace Vans Plus option. The pricing for the Buzz.Camper is yet to be announced, but Bus enthusiasts may want to wait as Peace Vans is working on obtaining U.S. Department of Transportation approval for a pop-up camper. Expected to be available in late 2025, this pop-up camper will offer a truly magical experience for adventurous souls.
Order books for all the buildouts are currently open, with the first deliveries of the Buzz.Box and Buzz.Box.Sleeper expected in November 2024, aligning with VW’s plan to have the ID.Buzz at U.S. dealerships. So, Bus lovers can now embark on their future road trips with their highly-customized, electric-powered ID.Buzz, preserving the old Bus culture while embracing modern comforts and functionality.
