Volkswagen is stepping up its testing of driverless electric vehicles ahead of a planned commercial introduction in 2025.

Car Magazine reports that by the end of this year, prototypes of the ID Buzz electric version of the Kombi van will be testing on Munich’s streets, as well as on a purpose-built test track near Munich airport.

The report says Volkswagen is prioritising development in its van division, as it sees commercial applications for autonomous vehicles – ride-hailing and delivery vehicles – providing a far stronger business case than passenger cars.

“Volkswagen and its lynchpin autonomous partner, America’s Argo AI, have just begun the first European tests of this prototype, using the body of the T6 Transporter van atop the MEB electric platform,” the report says. “Only one of these autonomous prototypes will be built; it’s the ID Buzz that will constitute the fleet of test vehicles once in production later this year.”

(Picture – Volkswagen ID Buzz)