According to global provider of sustainable material handling solutions, Jungheinrich it has become one of the first companies in Australia to integrate Volkswagen’s new electric vans into its operations .
Jungheinrich, is a German based global company which has more than 70 years of industry experience which and operates a fleet of more than 5,000 service vans, more than a third of which are Volkswagen.
Volkswagen is a long-standing vehicle partner for Jungheinrich and the electric 
VW ID.Buzz Cargo will join otehr VW commercials on the company fleet including Transporter, Amarok, and Caddy.
Jungheinrich says its goal is to convert at least 50 per cent of its global service fleet to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by 2030.
The first two ID. Buzz Cargo vans to join its Australian fleet are now in service in Sydney and Melbourne, and following driver evaluation, both Jungheinrich and Volkswagen say they intend to utilise the experience gained to further optimise and expand the fleet.
The vehicles will feature a custom design to mark more than 70 years of the company’s history, with the left-hand side showcasing an historic Volkswagen T2 service van alongside a 1953 Jungheinrich forklift, while the right-hand side will display a modern lithium-ion electric forklift highlighting Jungheinrich’s market leadership.
The company said that a sustainably crafted wooden surfboard on the roof adds what it describes as a “playful nod” to the VW van’s coastal legacy, which it believes is perfectly fitting forAustralia.
Jungheinrich Australia says the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo plays a key role in its strategy to shift its service fleet to low-emission vehicles.
It said that this is part of its broader commitment to achieve net zero emissions across the entire value chain by 2050, including full electrification of its owned vehicle fleet .
Managing director of Jungheinrich Australia, Axel Knigge said that the company has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with the Volkswagen Group, with a significant portion of its global service fleet made up of Volkswagen vehicles.
“After recently celebrating our 70th anniversary, now is the perfect time to take that collaboration to the next level. The Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo offers the payload and range we require, while supporting our strong commitment to sustainability,” Knigge said.
The company said that the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo also offers economic advantages beyond environmental benefits, t: lower maintenance costs, extended service intervals (2 years/30,000 km), and an eight-year high-voltage battery warranty with a minimum 70 per cent capacity guarantee contribute to greater uptime and efficiency.
“Jungheinrich stands for premium German-engineered products, expert advice, and the best solution in terms of total cost of ownership ( and high operational readiness. We are always looking for partners who share our values and continuously improve ourselves. We have found that in Volkswagen.” Knigge said.
Karsten Seifert, the managing director of Volkswagen Group Australia at the handover of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo, said he celebrated the ongoing partnership with Jungheinrich Australia and highlighted Volkswagen Group’s commitment to growing its range of commercial fleet solutions.
“This partnership marks a powerful step forward in delivering smarter, more sustainable logistics solutions for Australian businesses,” Seifert said.
“By combining Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ reliability and innovation with Jungheinrich’s expertise in material handling, we’re driving efficiency, sustainability and progress across the supply chain together,” the Volkswagen boss said.
Jungheinrich says its service technicians in Australia may travel up to 350 km per day and added they needed to respond to urgent, unplanned service calls., so strong real-world range is essential and says that the Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo delivers.
Volkswagen’s first foray into electrified commercial transport began more than 50 years earlier with the Volkswagen T2 Elektro Transporter, highlighting just how far the ID. Buzz Cargo has come since.
That early VW electric featured a meagre 21.6 kWh lead-acid battery providing only about 85km of range and was even fitted with an ‘engine recovery system’, which captured some of the kinetic energy generated under braking and used it to charge the battery, the forefather of what we now know as ‘regenerative braking’.
The latest Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo is Capable of carrying two Euro pallets, and is powered by an 84kWh battery, with a range of 431km.
Peak power is 210kW, while the Cargo van produces 550Nm of torque, while DC fast charging is available up to 185kW, so that the ID. Buzz Cargo can be charged from 5 per cent to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes.
“In 2008, Jungheinrich was the first manufacturer to bring lithium-ion technology into series production,” said Knigge.
“That innovation helped reduce emissions and increase productivity and we’re now taking another major step forward electrifying our service fleet and delivering sustainable service to our customers and so the ID. Buzz Cargo is a major asset with low maintenance costs, zero emissions, and impressive real-world range,” Knigge concluded.
