Volkswagen electric car drivers in Europe will soon be able to play video games while they are charging.
The automaker announced on Monday that it will add AirConsole Gaming Platform for certain models in some European countries starting in mid-September. VW plans to expand availability to more European countries in late 2024 or early 2025, but did not discuss availability in the United States.
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer 2025
AirConsole, that is also available in BMW i5runs as an app on the car’s infotainment system, but relies on the user’s smartphone as the controller. The car must be put in park mode to use the feature, which includes single-player and multiplayer options.
Gaming features launched on VW ID.7 Tourerwagon version of the ID.7 hatchback. The model was never designed for the United States, although the standard hatchback version was originally scheduled to arrive there later this year as a 2025 model. VW in May delay the release of the US market ID.7, and has not yet set a revised timeline for its launch.
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer 2025
Along with the ID.7, VW plans to offer in-car gaming on its ID.5, ID.4, and ID.3 electric vehicles (only the ID.4 is sold in the United States), as well as its Golf, Passat, and Tiguan vehicles that use internal combustion engines.
VW makes no mention of plans to offer AirConsole games in ID.Buzz Electric VehicleIt is finally expected to reach dealers in the United States later this year with Base price is $61,545 and up to 234 miles of EPA range (these numbers are not for the same vehicle). While it’s also sold as a cargo van in Europe, the ID.Buzz is only offered in the US as a three-row passenger van—which seems like a good use case for the integration game.
