An Electric Car Road Trip in 2025 (ft. VW ID. Buzz)

When we approached our friends at Volkswagen to borrow their ID. Buzz, we wanted to answer one question – just how far can you take one of the largest, fully-electric cars available for sale at the moment?

We’ve done multiple EV jaunts up to KL in recent years (here’s our first attempt in 2023, and a follow-up in 2024), so we know that electric car road trips are not only possible, but as the charging network up North continues to mature, get easier with every passing year.

But can you really take a three-ton MPV with 560Nm on a road trip without being saddled with the burden of having to charge consistently? And what are some tips that you should keep in mind should you wish to attempt a similar drive in your own EV?

Where Possible, Set Off with a Full Battery

Most modern competent electric cars should have enough range on paper to make KL without having to recharge. But at higher speeds and with traffic on the NSHW, it is always better to err on the side of caution and keep a range buffer in the tank.

If you really need to eek out every last kilometre from your battery pack, there are fast chargers conveniently located near both our land checkpoints. The two closest to Second Link are Aste Global (Evone) and Raffles Marina (Volt). For those crossing via Woodlands, there’s a DC120 charger at Storhub @ Marsiling.

Momentum is Your Friend

Aim to keep the car in smooth motion for as long as you can safely. As is the case with combustion cars, a lot of energy is needed to garner momentum – focus on gradually building speed and not having to brake unnecessarily.

Also learn to read the road – ensure you allow the car to coast down slope for maximum efficiency. This strategy is especially effective in a car as large as the ID. Buzz, as its kerb weight means it actually gathers quite a lot of speed downhill.

ABC – or Always Be Charging

Your car may be able to make the drive up to KL without having to stop for a charge, but chances are you’d prefer to make a stop or two for a meal or comfort break. You can use the downtime to charge your vehicle – afterall, you’d be stopped regardless, why not add some additional juice into your battery pack?

An increasing number of rest stops now have DC fast chargers, and the more popular shopping destinations along the way now also have AC chargers in their car parks. Unlike the ID. Buzz with its ultra-efficient electric motor and 86 kWh battery pack, some EVs might not have the range to make the drive to and from KL.

In those instances, you can consider stopping at Petronas Bandar Baru Ayer Hitam (Gentari) if you are heading up North, or The Concept Hotel Melaka (EVPower) if you are returning to Singapore. The former has 50kW and 180kW chargers, whilst the latter has 60kW and 240kW chargers.

Not at 100%? No Problem!

One thing that you have to unlearn as an electric car driver is the urge to charge your battery pack up to 100% at every opportunity. Not only is regular charges to 100% harmful to your battery, but you’d be wasting a lot of time charging from 80 – 100%.

A good rule of thumb is to have an additional 50% in buffer range when you are setting off. For instance, if your journey is 100 kilometres away, you’d feel a lot less range anxiety if your pack has sufficient energy to cover 150 kilometres. This additional power buffer will come in handy should you come across adverse weather or severe congestion!

A True Retro Modern Marvel

These are the tips we kept in mind when we set off on our KL road trip in the all-new Volkswagen ID. Buzz. If you must know, we clocked 1,000 kilometres, including a day trip to Johor and a morning’s worth of errands before returning the car to our friends at Volkswagen Singapore.

The total consumption? About 215 kWh of energy, which works out to be 4.68 km/kWh, which is just a smidge off its homologated 4.7 km/kWh. And this was through some truly horrendous customs jams, some bad weather and maintaining a solid 110 km/h all the way from Johor to KL.

Not only was the ID. Buzz efficient, it was supremely comfortable and effortlessly stylish whilst it was at it. If we had seven people, they’d have all fitted with space to spare, and its retro-good looks drew a fair amount of attention everywhere we went! We have a full in-depth review coming up, so stay tuned for that!