Self-Driving Volkswagen ID. Buzz to Offer Uber Rides Next Year

Uber and Volkswagen will soon unleash self-driving versions of the new ID.Buzz across Los Angeles. The brands announced Thursday that test trips will begin later this year, with ride offerings to appear on the Uber app in 2026.

The ID.Buzz is Volkswagen's modern, electrified version of its iconic Transporter, colloquially known as the "Volkswagen Bus." Announced in 2023, the EV's two-toned colorways and mostly flat face recall its 1950s predecessor, while a streamlined silhouette and decked-out infotainment system make it relevant to the current decade. The microvan's 85 kWh battery and 210kW electric drive motor lend up to 234 miles of range.

It's been Volkswagen's plan since early last year to nail down Level 4 self-driving software for the ID.Buzz. In Germany, the automaker runs its own autonomous taxi brand, MOIA, which currently uses Level 3 self-driving vehicles paired with safety operators ...