Volkswagen’s “Accelerate” plan will bring a new EV every year until 2030, including the ID.1, a €20,000 entry-level urban model.
Volkswagen entered the electric vehicle industry with a blistering start with the ID.3 and the ID.4, both impressing with their looks and technical abilities. As part of its new ‘Accelerate’ business plan, the company looks to convert 70% of its sales into electric-only vehicles by 2030 and release one new EV every year until then.
Notably, Volkswagen has three more models waiting on the tip. The ID.6 is a China-only seven-seater SUV, arriving in 2022. Meanwhile, a crossover-coupe version of the ID.4, named the ID.5, will be revealed this year, with sales starting in 2023. As a refresh of its classic van, Volkswagen will also release the ID Buzz MPV in 2024.
The first VW EV to arrive this year would be the ID.4 GTX. The sporty crossover has an all-wheel-drive powertrain and a combined output of 302 HP and 339 lb-ft of torque.
However, Volkswagen’s current entry-level EV, the ID.3, is still out of reach for many people, and the upcoming models are the same. To address the issue, Volkswagen plans to release a supermini, probably called the ID.1, as an entry-level option for customers getting into the segment. The ID.1 would feature a smaller MEB-lite version of the original platform that Volkswagen is using to build its EVs.
The lite platform should facilitate a smaller body size and battery capacity, making it better suited for urban driving. Moreover, it should cost €20,000 (≈$24,000) in Europe. Above the ID.1, Volkswagen could also release a compact hatchback vehicle in the form of the ID.2.
The ID.1 might prove to be a big seller in Europe. The high price of current EVs is the main detrimental factor for buyers on the Old Continent, and the small hatch will rectify that. However, it will be interesting to see what type of battery VW can employ in the ID.1. Due to their smaller sizes, urban EVs don’t feature large batteries and don’t provide very long ranges.
More details to come!
Full press release Image rendering: Autocar
