Volkswagen Aims to Revolutionize Affordable Electric Vehicle Options with 8 New Models by 2027
Volkswagen’s Electric Vehicle Revival: A New Era of Affordable EVs on the Horizon
The world’s largest automaker, Volkswagen, is gearing up to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) landscape with a lineup of affordable, eco-friendly options. The company’s latest efforts aim to create a brighter future for the planet while also addressing consumer concerns about high costs.
The Birth of an Electric Icon
In the early 1970s, when soaring oil prices led to a decline in gas-powered vehicle demand, Volkswagen took a bold step by conceptualizing the electric-powered Elektro Bus. This innovative move marked the beginning of the company’s electric vision. Fast-forward to today, and Volkswagen is once again making a bold move towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
New Affordable EVs in the Pipeline
Volkswagen brand chief, Thomas Schaefer, has announced plans to introduce eight new affordable EV models by 2027. In an effort to cut costs and make these vehicles more accessible, the company will focus on producing them profitably and at competitive prices. "We have to produce our vehicles profitably and put them on the road at affordable prices," Schaefer emphasizes.
ID.2all: The Future of Affordable EVs
One of the upcoming models is the ID.2all hatchback, which has seen its development accelerated to 36 months, a significant reduction from the initial 50-month schedule. This electric hot hatchback is expected to carry a price tag of under 25,000 euros (approximately $27,000) when it hits the market in 2025.
More Affordable Options to Come
Volkswagen’s CEO, Larry Blume, has hinted at the possibility of a sub-$22,000 EV to be released after 2025. While it’s unclear which models will make their way to the US market, VW America has confirmed plans to release an under-$35,000 EV in the US by 2027.
Battling Battery Costs
One major challenge to reducing EV production costs and lowering prices is the high cost of batteries. Volkswagen is working on developing its own unified battery cell in several European plants and a plant in Ontario, Canada. However, for US buyers to claim the Inflation Reduction Act’s $7,500 tax credit, the vehicle and its components must be produced at least in part domestically. Volkswagen already has a plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and is planning a new plant in South Carolina, but the production location of its new unified battery cells remains unclear.
References:
- Green Car Reports: "VW reportedly plans 8 cheaper electric models by 2027"
- Digital Trends: "World Premiere of the ID.2all Concept: The Electric Car from Volkswagen Costing Less than 25,000 Euros"
- Volkswagen Newsroom: "World Premiere of the ID.2all Concept: The Electric Car from Volkswagen costing less than 25,000 euros"
Image: [ID.2all Concept Design]
