The Germans at VW finally understood that burning gasoline just to grill a sausage on the roadside is cringe from 2015. At the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, they officially unveiled the first electric camper in the California family. They named it pretentiously—the ID. California Cruise.

Only the most dedicated brand enthusiasts—or those who know how to read the fine print on the side decals—will be able to tell this electric van apart from a standard city ID. Buzz. There are no exhaust pipes, and no roaring engine under the tent windows at night. Only absolute silence, for which you must pay approximately 6 million rubles (the starting price in Europe is 60,761 euros). The first lucky owners will pick up their rolling sleep capsules from dealers only in early 2027.

Inside, the Germans attempted to recreate the vibe of a hippie festival—but with a premium twist. The main feature is a 203×120 centimeter bed. This is a full-sized double sofa that unfolds directly over the back seats using a nine-centimeter thick folding mattress. It’s genuinely possible for two people to sleep there, unlike in typical «caravans» where one person lies flat while the other breathes in their ear. For complete serenity, blackout curtains are provided for all windows and ventilation grilles, ensuring you don’t suffocate in your sleep from the after-party hangovers.

But the juiciest stuff is hidden in the software. The multimedia system has a special «California» mode. You park in the woods, press one button, and the car transforms into a power station capable of up to 2 kilowatts. Want to brew Pu-erh on the portable stove? Want to charge your electric scooter? Or maybe you want to power your DJ controller. Meanwhile, the climate control will maintain a perfect temperature inside while you scroll through Reels. The battery charge should last long enough to power this whole setup for up to 48 hours. True, the driving range has been held back for now—it seems they’re still hesitant to announce the figures that will drop when the air conditioning and refrigerator are running.

Regarding the furnishings—the set includes two folding chairs and a small table, which are stored in a special cover beneath the mattress. The chairs are covered in Miwo patterned covers—it looks like a designer decorated the space after a Friday night at the bar.

The bottom line is simple: if you have an extra six million rubles, a desire to escape to the horizon, and an allergy to the smell of diesel fumes—pre-order this. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has enhanced its California app by adding a search function for charging stations specifically for nomads like you. Now your home can be anywhere, as long as you plug the Type 2 cable into an outlet on time. Because standing in the middle of the taiga with a dead battery and cooling instant ramen—that’s hardly fun.