As I proceeded towards the test drive The all-electric Volkswagen ID. the buzzThe first thing I thought was that it looked like it was smiling, almost too much. But once inside, the smug mug made sense.
The Buzz is the first all-electric minivan in the US and a leap in luxury over its iconic predecessor, the VW Bus, from the 1960s. It seats seven people with plenty of legroom, has more interior cargo space than a Suburban and a huge electrochromic sunroof that dims at the touch of a button. Thanks to its battery at a low center of gravity, the Buzz turns on a dime. A few days after my test drive, Volkswagen’s electric minivan wins 2025 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year Award at the Detroit Auto Show.
I’m not here to sell you a minivan. But I think we’re witnessing a watershed moment for EVs, one that could change the way you think about our electrified future.
It was December Best month ever for EV sales Worldwide, and the number of EVs sold in the US last year reached a record 1.3 million. Some industry analysts Expect that number Fast forward to 2025, when there will still be more options to go electric at the lowest price. And some simple thanks Change the plug valueThis year should also see progress in building the nation’s charging infrastructure, thanks to an influx of cash from the Biden administration, which has historically been terrible but is getting better. As the incoming Trump administration prepares Eliminate some tax breaks for EV buyersExperts in this sector say The speed of the industry is unstoppable.
at the same time, EV sales growth slows. Yes, industry records continue to be broken, but they are broken by small margins. Tesla, which makes the top two best-selling EVs in the country and is the world’s largest EV manufacturer, actually I saw its market share shrinking For the first time in 2024. This shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. Aside from the bold new Cybertruck, Tesla is selling The same four EV models over the yearsEven as its competitors, such as legacy automakers like Volkswagen and GM, as well as Rivian and PolyesterBreaking convention and introducing completely new body types like VW’s minivan or Rivian’s offroading vehicle.
EV prices are also falling. Chevy just started selling one The all-electric Equinox SUV That comes to less than $35,000. (Chevy’s gas-powered Equinox starts at $28,600.) And, the Chinese automaker BYD’s popularity has exploded Thanks in part to its ultra-affordable EV, which you can’t currently buy in the US.
Volkswagen’s Mark Gillis told me after my test drive, “People are finding the vehicles that are coming to market fit what they want. “So I think the more choice you have and the more different forms of vehicles you have, the more you’ll see adoption of EVs.”
EVs used to be synonymous with Tesla, but now nearly every automaker has an electric offering. Most of them get 200 to 300 miles per charge, which is more than enough for that Average American daily driving needs. For those with a garage or parking spot with access to a power outlet, that is Charging on the go is a non-issueBecause they can plug in the car overnight and then expect the battery to last until the next day.
Still, the state of charging infrastructure remains a major issue for many Americans considering purchasing an EV. This has happened historically Plagued by reliability issuesConfused by car manufacturers Using different types of plugsAnd less convenient than the century-old network of gas stations in the United States Taking a road trip with an EV is a must A daunting challenge for many Along with range anxiety, which is the fear that your EV’s battery will die and leave you stranded.
“It’s not so much a scale concern, it’s an infrastructure concern,” said Nicole Wakelin, editor-at-large. CarBuzz and a judge for the North American, Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards. “The average person’s driving in a day can easily be covered just by charging at home overnight, and you don’t have to look for a charger when you’re out and about.” But when you’re roadtripping, “chargers still aren’t plentiful.”
But some good things are happening on the infrastructure front this year – if some new developments manage to survive the changing political landscape. The Biden administration recently announced $635 million grant for construction of EV charging stations and renewable fuel stations in an effort to move the country closer to its goal of having 500,000 publicly available charging stations by 2030. EV plugs are now becoming standard as most Major automakers have signed on to adopt North American Charging Standard (NACS) in 2025. That’s what Tesla uses, which means Almost every EV will be able to plug into its Supercharger network. Facilities will get a big boost this year, too, from a new “Universal plug and charge” standard This year is rolled out. That means no more fussing with apps or credit cards at charging stations. As the name of the standard suggests, you just plug and charge.
While these investments and updates are moving us in the right direction, there is a real urgency to replace gas-powered vehicles with their cleaner EV replacements. Earth’s average temperature increased by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius For the first time last year, as Oil and gas production continues to grow. Los Angeles is on fire.
Electric transportation can have an immediate impact on climate change. The transportation sector is responsible for about 15 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and is Largest greenhouse gas emitter In the US, therefore, the electrification of each vehicle is a step forward The net is close to zero. Efforts are also gaining momentum. EVs accounted for 4 percent of all passenger vehicles in the world in 2020, but that share has risen to 18 percent by early 2024, International Energy Agency. And 2024 itself was record-breaking, too Global EV sales are growing by 25 percent.
The bulk of this growth is occurring in China, where BYD overtakes Tesla As the most popular EV manufacturer. BYD, which sells its tiny but capable Seagull EV in China for $10,000, is popular in Mexico but There are no plans to enter the US market in the mouth Tariffs have been imposed on EV imports The Biden administration and more Potential tariffs are coming From the Trump administration. Meanwhile, the cheapest new EV available in the US Starting at around $30,000 Before state and federal tax credits. Which, simple math suggests, equates to about three BYD Seagulls for every cheap American EV.
So it’s no surprise that the United States lags behind the rest of the world in EV adoption. Cox Automotive EVs expect share of new vehicles will hit 10 percent in 2025, up from about 7.5 percent last year. Infrastructure concerns explain some of the slow pace, but affordability has also historically been an issue. Only 3 percent of EVs Costs are $37,000 lessAccording to a Bank of America Global Research report, that may explain why more Americans Opt for cheaper hybrid options. A March 2024 Gallup poll shows that while EV ownership is increasing in the U.S., the number of Americans who say they Considerations for buying an EV are declining. Republicans dominated those naysayers by a large margin, as did those who were not concerned about climate change.
There has been overall concern about what the new Trump administration will do with EVs, but it doesn’t look good. Trump said he would “repeal [Biden’s] electric vehicle” mandate, a vague campaign promise that many assume is the end $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs Purchase It may seem counterintuitive, but given that its biggest supporter, Elon Musk, owns Tesla Musk says the tax credits are over In fact, his EV will help the company. Other incentive programs will still exist, viz New York statewide programThe end of federal rebates will certainly discourage some potential EV buyers.
“Certainly government incentives are helping,” said Mark Schirmer of Cox Automotive. “If they are reduced or eliminated, it may slow some sales, but it won’t stop EV sales.”
It’s unclear whether Trump will follow through on any of his campaign promises, much less the U.S. auto industry. Trump’s incoming press secretary Carolyn Levitt said quite a few the news outlet In the last few months the president-elect will keep his promise to “end the attack on gas-powered cars” but “support the auto industry by allowing space for both gas-powered cars and electric vehicles.” The number of powerful members of the Congress is also given EV factories creating jobs In their home district, one can see why the Trump administration is leaving everything on the table for now.
As I sat behind the wheel of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Recently, it got me thinking about another watershed moment in automotive history: when Chrysler Invented the minivan In the early 1980s, it showed that you could move a lot of people in an easy-to-handle vehicle and still get good gas mileage. It completely transformed the auto industry and paved the way for the gas-guzzling SUV takeover of the 1990s and 2000s. The minivan has ushered us into the future we’re living in, for better or worse. And now maybe today, it could lead us to a future where big cities don’t have fires.
I’m not saying that the Volkswagen ID. Buzz will revolutionize the EV industry. At $60,000, it’s not cheap, but it’s the only electric minivan you can buy right now. Volkswagen is already testing a self-driving version, which it hopes to roll out with one Robotaxis service by 2026. The idea of climbing into a comfortable minivan with a fancy sunroof and driving safely down to my destination without human intervention or a drop of gasoline is something I’d like to live in a future.
For EVs to maintain their momentum through changing policies and consumer attitudes, Americans need to believe in the future they will take us. We’ll get a better glimpse of what it will look like in 2025 In the meantime, if you’re an aspiring soccer dad with a passion for sustainable transportation, test drive the new electric minivan. It doesn’t really turn on a dime.
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