(Credit: Uber/Volkswagen)
Uber and Volkswagen are now testing autonomous ID. Buzz vehicles on the road and will debut a shared carpooling service in Los Angeles later this year.
The two companies announced their partnership last year, with Volkswagen operating via its MOIA America brand. They have since opened a joint fleet operations facility in Los Angeles and plan to deploy more than 100 electric VW ID. Buzz buses during the testing phase, with human operators behind the wheel to start.
“Los Angeles is a natural market to introduce MOIA’s autonomous vehicles for ride experiences, given its long history of shaping car culture and embracing new mobility technologies," says Paul DeLong, President of Commercialization at MOIA America. "Together with Uber, we’re bringing MOIA’s autonomous vehicles and expertise onto a platform millions of riders already use and trust."
Ultimately, MOIA America and Uber plan to have a fleet of thousands of autonomous ID. Buzz vehicles in multiple US markets.
We first got a look at Volkswagen's vintage revival microbus in 2024, when it was one of the few 7-seat electric cars available. There were rumors that VW was planning to discontinue the ID. Buzz AV, but the company’s US head clarified earlier this month that it was skipping the 2026 model and going directly from 2025 to 2027.
Amazon’s Zoox also offers minivan-like vehicles, and is teaming up with Uber to book rides via the Uber app this summer in Las Vegas and next year in Los Angeles. Rides are currently free because Zoox has not yet received federal approval for paid rides.
In late October, Tesla also announced plans for a 20-seater "robovan," but we haven't heard much solid news about that lately. The Elon Musk-led company currently offers AV rides in its Model Y robotaxis in Austin, Texas.
Waymo, meanwhile, has surged ahead of the competition. The Alphabet-owned platform completes 400,000 paid rides per week and is operational in 11 US cities, including Atlanta and Austin, where Uber is its exclusive partner. This week, it expanded to Nashville and the San Antonio airport, though it's no longer testing in New York City after its permit expired.