Towing with an EV: our VW ID. Buzz becomes a family carry-all with a towbar

Published: 01 April 2024

► Our VW ID. Buzz has the towbar option
► We test the £980 retractable towbar
► Read Month 1 of our extended test

We’re all getting used to the things EVs excel at and a few they don’t. So put fast acceleration in the positives column, and towing in the best-avoided list. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised, but my ID. Buzz has… drum roll please… a towbar! 

Yes, it’s hardly cutting edge, but many EVs shun them because of the harmful effect on range. I intend to take advantage by using it to mount my natty Thule towbar bike rack that lets me take a family of four’s bikes wherever we please. 

The retractable towbar is a pricey £980 option, but it brings electric operation and ease of use. The ID. Buzz’s unbraked payload is 750kg, so it’s well suited to making cycling trips easier and more sustainable. 

We're using the towbar to carry bike racks and small trailers

Logbook: Volkswagen ID. Buzz Style SWB 77kWh Pro (month 2)

Price £61,915 (£69,265 as tested) 
Performance 77kWh battery, e-motor, 201bhp, 10.2sec 0-62mph, 90mph
Efficiency 2.9 miles per kWh (official), 2.7 (tested), 0g/km CO2 
Range 255 miles (official), 193 miles (tested) 
Energy cost 16.7p per mile 
Miles this month 832 
Total miles 6791

Read the start of our VW ID. Buzz long-term test here

By Tim Pollard

Group digital editorial director, car news magnet, crafter of words

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