Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has used the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon to introduce the new ID. California Cruise. It’s based on the ID. Buzz Pro and is the first fully electric California variant.

Available with either a short or long wheelbase, the van is instantly recognizable as the only exterior changes are California lettering on the liftgate and “California Cruise” decals on the sides. However, once you get to your destination, you can install front window vents or blackout curtains.

More: VW’s Fix For Heavy Campervans Is An Inflatable Kitchen

Speaking of preparing for sleep, the van features a rear platform that houses a tri-fold mattress. It’s 3.5 inches (9 cm) thick and measures 80 inches (2,030 mm) long by 47.2 inches (1,200 mm) wide. Volkswagen says two people can sleep comfortably on the mattress, although the interior setup looks a little awkward.

To ensure you’re comfortable at night, the van has a retained power function that enables the battery to continue operating interior lights, USB charging ports, and the climate control system. Volkswagen said it can work up to 48 hours, but the exact time largely depends on the battery’s starting charge and the outside temperature.

Since camping isn’t much fun if you’re cooped up inside, the ID. California Cruise comes with two camping chairs and a table. They’re stored beneath the rear platform and appear to be housed in a zippered bag.

Rounding out the highlights are “exclusive seat covers in the ‘Miwo’ design with an integrated California wordmark.” Volkswagen also noted the van has a vehicle-to-load function, which makes camping far more enjoyable as it turns the van into a giant power station that provides up to 2,000 watts of juice. This means it can power everything from coffee makers to coolers and electric cooktops.

The ID. California Cruise arrives early next year and German pricing starts at €60,761 ($70,813). Volkswagen also teased additional California EVs are coming by 2028.

While the ID. California Cruise isn’t coming stateside, Americans will get a similar ID. Buzz Tourer 4Motion. It features a fold-out mattress, front ventilation panels, and window blinds as well as an exterior table and chairs.

Volkswagen’s commercial division is bringing two premieres worth a look to the Caravan Salon 2026 in Germany. The headliner is the ID. California Cruise concept, which previews an entire family of electric campers. Next to it sits a California Beach kitted out with inflatable kitchen and bed modules, the idea being that one vehicle can handle the daily commute and the weekend escape without asking you to pick a side.

Starting with the ID. California Cruise, the company has yet to publish photos but confirmed it will be based on the ID. Buzz platform. The concept is expected to go a step further than the already available Good Night kit, which adds a folding bed, window blinds, and a 48-hour climate control mode for €2,600 ($3,000).

More: VW’s $3K ID.Buzz Camping Kit Adds A Bed And Runs The A/C For Two Full Days

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

VW says the ID. California Cruise “lays the foundation for a new family of electric campervans set to arrive step by step through 2028”. The company had confirmed a California version of the ID. Buzz back in 2023, though the project stalled over worries about market demand. The rest of the details will land during Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, which runs from August 28 through September 6, 2026.

Blow-Up Camping

Alongside the electric concept, VW has revealed a pair of inflatable interior modules for the T7-based California Beach in partnership with startup Stuff Bubble. Instead of leaning on heavy, permanently mounted wooden cabinets and metal framing that eat into everyday usability, the two companies looked to kitesurfing, paragliding, and inflatable tent structures for the ultra-lightweight modular system.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

The inflatable kitchen measures 120 x 44 x 47.5 cm (47.2 x 17.3 x 18.7 in) and clips straight into the existing luggage shelf mounting rails of the California Beach. It weighs under 10 kg (22 lbs) and includes an integrated closed water circuit. A split design lets you use it inside the vehicle or pull it out and set it up at a campsite or a lakefront pitch.

More: VW Wants $72K For A Camper That Comes Without The Camper

The inflatable bed system features a breathable multi-layer construction measuring 200 x 134 cm (78.7 x 52.8 inches). It can be configured as a single bed weighing 6 kg (13.2 lbs) or a double bed weighing 12 kg (26.5 lbs). Combined with the upper pop-up roof bed, the van to sleep up to four adults.

One-Person Setup, Zero Dead Weight

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

VW claims that the kitchen and the bed can be installed and removed by a single person in a matter of minutes. The setup converts the van into a fully functional camper without forcing owners to haul around permanent additional weight during routine city driving. Furthermore, the modules can also be adapted to fit the rest of the Multivan T7 lineup, which recently gained subtle styling upgrades and new screens.

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The inflatable modules will be showcased at the Caravan Salon in a California Beach. There, the automaker plans to gather customer feedback “to help shape future development” meaning we could be seeing the accessories enter production in the near future.

Stefan Mecha, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said that the new product “appeals to customers who do not want a permanently fitted interior but still want to enjoy the comforts of camping on spontaneous getaways, festival weekends or outdoor adventures.”

There’s nothing like off-grid camping for getting you back to nature. But the din of a diesel generator (or van engine) keeping your auxiliary batteries topped up and your heater running kind of spoils the ambience. Nissan and German camper specialist Eifelland reckon they’ve cracked that problem.

More: VW’s $3K ID.Buzz Camping Kit Adds A Bed And Runs The A/C For Two Full Days

Together they’ve created the new Interstar-e Relax, which can use its high-voltage battery to power the heater when you’re camping off-grid. The Relax will make its public debut at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf later this month, combining Nissan’s electric Interstar-e panel van with a conversion designed for everything from conventional camping trips to surfing and other outdoorsy pursuits.

Skip The Campsite Plug

The €89,900 ($102,000) camper’s neatest trick comes courtesy of the Interstar-e’s vehicle-to-load functionality. Instead of requiring an external electrical hookup, the standard Truma Eezy parking heater can draw power directly from the Nissan’s high-voltage battery.

That sounds like a battery-draining recipe for being stranded in the wilderness, but Eifelland says the heater’s consumption is low enough that keeping the cabin comfortable shouldn’t significantly dent driving range. Sure, diesel campers can run fuel-burning heaters without plugging into the grid, but this setup does the job without burning anything locally, while tapping a battery that’s already along for the ride.

Up To 255 Miles Of Range

And it’s a pretty big battery, if not huge given the van’s footprint. The Interstar-e uses an 87 kWh pack, giving the unconverted base van a WLTP rating of up to 255 miles (410 km). That’s for an unladen van, mind you, and presumes you’re not indulging in too much V2L when you park up. DC charging peaks at 130 kW, while a useful 22 kW AC onboard charger is standard.

A single electric motor sends 141 hp (143 hp / 105 kW) and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque to the wheels, which should be perfectly adequate when your destination is a campsite rather than the Nürburgring. So it’s not punchy, but at least you won’t have to worry about things flying around in the back every time you leave a stoplight.

Permanent Bed, Removable Seats

Inside, there’s a fixed 1.90 x1.60 m (6.2 x 5.4 ft) bed, 90-liter (3.2 cu-ft) refrigerator, induction cooktop and sink, plus real wood trim and almost 2.6 cubic meters (92 cu-ft) of storage. A portable toilet handles the less glamorous but inescapable side of camper life, and taking out two of the four regular thrones creates additional living space.

Electric campervans are still relatively rare, though Netherlands-based Tonke creates them by converting the Mercedes EQV and VW. ID Buzz, both of which are much smaller than the Nissan. VW and Mercedes themselves haven’t yet gotten around to giving their electric vans the full Marco Polo and California treatment (though VW does now offer a basic Buzz camping kit), but you can be sure they’re working on them. Looks like campsites are about to get a lot more peaceful.

Photos Nissan