Volkswagen Multivan California hybride vs electric Outbase ID.Buzz campervan

Anyone considering the Volkswagen Multivan California Hybrid or the electric Outbase ID.Buzz campervan is really comparing two different visions of camping.

The choice is, therefore, not only about specifications or price but also about how you want to travel. Do you choose a plug-in hybrid concept where you can drive electric and fall back on a combustion engine? Or a new generation camper that is designed entirely for electric travel, sustainability and freedom? Both offer comfort and flexibility, but they are fundamentally different in design.

Powertrain: hybrid versus fully electric

The Multivan California is available as a plug-in hybrid with a stated electric range of 95 kilometers. In practice, this means that for longer trips, with a full load and highway driving, you will quickly be running on petrol. This results in a higher cost per kilometer, along with higher long-term maintenance costs and greater technical complexity.

Additionally, in the long term, a plug-in hybrid is not suited for fully emission-free zones. More and more cities are moving toward zero-emission zones where only electric vehicles have access. This makes driving hybrid less future-proof.

The Outbase ID.Buzz campervan is fully electric. No combustion engine, no hybrid compromise. This ensures peace, silence, direct torque and a lot less maintenance. With the electric range of the ID.Buzz customers travel through the whole of Europe and beyond. Electric seems to not be a limit, but more like a way of relaxed travel.

‘’It is our mission to build the best Volkswagen ID.Buzz camper. We don’t need to be the biggest or to win the most awards. We simply want to offer the best camping experience.’’

Self-sufficient camping

An important distinguishing feature is the ability to camp self-sufficiently. The Outbase ID.Buzz is designed as standard to be able to camp independently at all times, without relying on an external power source. This gives you the freedom to stay overnight in quiet natural areas, small camping sites, or remote locations.

In addition, the Outbase ID.Buzz is completely gas-free. Cooking is done on induction, which is not only comfortable but also very safe. No gas bottles, no open flames, and no risk of gas leaks. This fits perfectly with an electric powertrain and the future-proof character of the campervan.

With the California, you are more likely to rely on camping sites and facilities, as it is not equipped with solar panels, and using the battery power comes at the expense of electric range. These upgrades are possible, but you will have to arrange them yourself.

‘’Sustainability is very important to us. For the interior build we use materials such as cork, sheep wool, 100% wool felt, hemp, recycled PET bottles, organic cotton, recycled textile fibres and sustainably sourced wood.’’

Material and finishing

Where the California uses a lot of grey plastic, Outbase consciously chooses honest materials. In the ID.Buzz you will find birch wood, bamboo and high quality fabrics. Materials that feel warm, age beautifully, are easy to repair and contribute to a sense of calm and quality.

The interior is built by our own specialists in Utrecht, in collaboration with local partners that are known for their craftsmanship. Additionally, Outbase is a Volkswagen Integrated Partner, which means the conversion into a campervan is carried out in accordance with Volkswagen Guidelines, ensuring a level of quality no less than that of a factory built camper.

Want to learn more about electric travelling?

We are happy to share our knowledge, experience and the experiences of our customers with you. Click on the links below to read more.

- With the ID.Buzz to Morocco

- Electric camping with the ID.Buzz

- Travelling through Eastern Europe with the ID.Buzz

- Winter Camping with the ID.Buzz

‘’We don’t build our conversions based on what is already there. We create our own design, developed in detail for one vehicle: the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. That makes our campers unique.’’

Plan your experience

Some key figures at a glance

Although the California is almost 60 cm longer and therefore much less manoeuvrable, it offers storage space in the living area and a much narrower lower bed than the ID.Buzz. While Outbase seems to use the most of every millimeter of available space, a significant amount of space is left unused in the California.

Height: both campervans are under 2 m, this makes them fit into most parking garages.
Length: the California is 5,17 m long. The standard-length Outbase campervan measures 4,71 m, while the LWB measures 4,96 m.
Load capacity: the California has a load capacity of 500-800 kg. The Outbase ID.Buzz has a load capacity of 400-800 kg.
Turncircle: 12,1 m for the California and 11,1 m for the Outbase ID.Buzz
Emissions: The California has a combined fuel consumption of 3,1 l/100 km according to the WLTP test. Since the Outbase ID.Buzz is completely electric, it has no direct emissions. For both the California and the Outbase ID.Buzz, the overall impact depends on the source of electricity used when driving electrically.

Which one suits you?

The Volkswagen Multivan California hybrid may seem like a safe choice, but it remains a compromise solution. The electric Outbase ID.Buzz campervan is designed for those who value peace, efficiency, self-sufficiency and a future-oriented way of travelling.

The best way to find out what suits you is to explore and experience both options. Because we are convinced the Outbase ID.Buzz is far more practical and spacious than many people initially expect, we have created an offer that allows you to try it out at no cost, even if you ultimately decide that the California better fits your needs.

Take a seat inside and experience the space and materials. Turn the sofa into a bed and, where possible, take both options for a test drive. It is these kinds of moments that give you a realistic sense of what feels right in everyday use and on the road.

That way, you can be confident you’re making a choice that truly fits your needs. Which means there is really no reason not to make the comparison. Explore the ‘’Explore, You’ll know”’’ offer via this page and plan your experience.