Volkswagen’s Most Iconic Camper Van Raises the Bar Yet Again

The California goes electric for the first time ever in its decade-long history.

Gold Volkswagen camper van with pop-up roof and open sliding door showing interior bed and storage bins.

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Volkswagen has done it again with its iconic California camper van. The Wolfsburg’s commercial division, or the department in charge of all of its camper vans, just revealed a huge first for both the brand and its iconic line of California camper vans.

Say hello to the world’s first-ever, all-electric Volkswagen ID. California. Not only does this mark VW’s first attempt at emissions-free glamping.

The company also revealed some new, innovative features, thanks to the model’s increase level of interior space.

The California finally goes electric

Green Volkswagen van parked on a cobblestone driveway in front of a wooden house with black roof tiles. — This may look like a regular VW California, but it most definitely is not.

Since its inception based on the T3 Transporter from the 1980s, the California was always based on VW’s iconic multi-purpose vehicle. That meant it wholly depended on a wide range of internal combustion engines, ranging from gutless, clattery and smelly diesels, to peppy VR6s and turbo-fours.

Now, EV and environmentally-friendly van fans can enjoy the iconic VW glamping lifestyle, all without having to fill up a petrol or diesel tank. As such, the new ID. California unsurprisingly is based on the ID. Buzz’s all-electric platform.

Folded green towels on a white table inside a camper van with a folded bed and pillows in the background. — Say hello to the new, first-ever, all-electric ID. California.

But rather than retaining the hip and retro exterior styling, Volkswagen grafted the body of a T7 Multivan over the platform. The result is a more conventional looking California camper van, but with an electrified party piece hiding under the sheetmetal.

VW didn’t share any technical details. But the carmaker said that more will come later in the year as the new ID. California marks the starting point of a major rollout of more electrified vans to come up through 2028.

New interior design factors in greater modularity

Green camper van with pop-up roof and open rear and side doors parked on grass with camping gear in front. — The ID. California also introduces a new inflatable kitchen setup, compliments of Stuff Bubble.

In addition to the all-new electrified ID. California, VW Commercial Vehicles also debuted a new interior design layout. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the van’s engineers introduced a new modular interior space, that boosts the van’s interior offerings and versatility.

Because the all-electric powertrain affords more interior space from the omission of a liquid fuel tank and all the drivetrain gear otherwise underpinning the standard California, engineers had more to work with. So they introduced a new inflatable kitchen with a new fold-out bed system.

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In partnership with Stuff Bubble, the same company who invented the world’s first inflatable camping kitchen system, the ID. California sports a new approach on mobile cooking. It’s not as weird as it sounds.

Using the California’s preexisting countertop and storage shelf arrangement setup, the inflatable kitchen consists of three inflatable modules. Each individual module converts into a kitchen sink, a garage disposal unit, and a food storage compartment.

The idea is to not only help free up interior space for more accomodations. It’s also to help keep weight down as opposed to conventional mobile camper van appliances.

Light green camper van with pop-up roof and open sliding door parked on grassy field under cloudy sky. — It wouldn’t be a California without the van’s iconic pop-up roof tent.

Because, we all know, weight is a major essence with EVs. Especially the heavier and boxier they are.

When the kitchen setup isn’t in use, the modules deflate and pack away neatly. All so that one can open up the full-size bed set for up to two, which lies above the storage shelf that houses the inflatable kitchen modules below.

Availability and pricing

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles didn’t say when the new ID. California and its innovative inflatable kitchen system will debut. But like all California camper vans, it’ll probably only be available in Europe and select Asian markets.

Green camper van with pop-up roof and open sliding door parked on grass with portable stove and table in front.

2028 Volkswagen ID. California

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About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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