Volkswagen has unveiled the ID Buzz AD, marking Europe’s first production-ready self-driving electric vehicle. Automotive expert Jürgen Pieper praised the vehicle’s technology, noting its superior safety features compared to Tesla’s offerings. However, high costs and limited deployment zones could present challenges for the German automaker.
While Tesla continues to dominate headlines with bold marketing for its robo-taxis, Volkswagen’s quiet but groundbreaking debut of the ID Buzz AD may have gone unnoticed by some. The electric minivan, designed for autonomous driving, is scheduled to hit the streets of Hamburg and Los Angeles starting in 2026.
“Volkswagen’s product is technologically superior to Tesla’s,” Pieper told ntv. Although VW’s system is more complex and expensive, he explained that this could ultimately be an advantage. “Thanks to the combination of radar systems and cameras, it is better equipped to handle a wider range of driving situations than Tesla’s technology,” he said. Pieper believes that this emphasis on safety and precision engineering will resonate with consumers. “Those who value quality and maximum safety are more likely to choose Volkswagen over other competitors.”
The ID Buzz AD is equipped with 13 cameras, 9 lidar sensors, and 5 radar units, allowing it to perceive its environment in real time. The system enables fully autonomous driving at speeds of up to 120 km/h (approximately 75 mph). However, this technological edge comes with a cost. According to Pieper, VW’s robo-taxi will likely be more expensive than many competing models. “That said, it could still be cheaper than a traditional taxi ride, where the driver’s wage typically accounts for about 30 percent of the total cost,” he added. As robo-taxis become more widespread, those costs may disappear for customers altogether.
Tesla’s robo-taxis are being marketed more aggressively and are cheaper overall. However, Pieper warns that this lower price point may come at the expense of safety. “Tesla’s version is more prone to malfunctions and accidents,” he noted, stressing the importance of robust and thoroughly tested systems in autonomous vehicles.
Despite ongoing pilot tests—Volkswagen has already been conducting trials in Hamburg since 2023—Pieper believes fully operational robo-taxis are still years away from becoming mainstream. “Even though companies like Uber revolutionized the taxi industry within just five years, initial regulatory hurdles slowed things down,” he said. Pieper expects the development of autonomous taxis to follow a similar path. “Right now, it may seem far-fetched, but I believe that in 15 years, robo-taxis will be a normal part of urban mobility.”
Volkswagen plans to deliver more than 10,000 units of the first-generation ID Buzz AD. Of those, the first 1,000 vehicles are set to roll out by the end of 2027. The ride-hailing company Uber—already a strategic partner with VW in the U.S. since April—aims to acquire up to 10,000 vehicles within the next decade.
By the end of 2026, Volkswagen hopes to secure regulatory approval for driverless operation in both Europe and the U.S. Once that milestone is reached, the company will no longer need to include a safety driver in the vehicle, paving the way for true autonomy on public roads.
