The Volkswagen Group Is Working Hard To Erase Its Bad Karma From The DieselGate Emission Scandal. We Believe, It is Going To Succeed, Given Its EUR 30 Billion Electrification Ambitions!
Volkswagen (VW), the German automotive manufacturer has come a long way since the emissions scandal in 2015, popularly referred to as ‘Dieselgate’ or ‘Emissionsgate’. VW has now committed to launching up to 70 new electric vehicle models in the next ten years, an increase of 40% from the 50 originally envisioned.
The Group will build up to 22 million vehicles over the coming decade. The total investment it is committing to its electrification dreams is EUR 30 billion by 2023. It aims to sell 3 million electric vehicles by 2025. The all-electric Audi e-tron and pure electric Porsche Taycan are good examples of VW’s ambition to lower emissions and electrification.
The launch of the Volkswagen ID.3 is part of the company’s broader strategy, to offer affordable EVs for the mass market via the VW ID family range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
- The 2020 ID.3 was first shown as the concept ID prototype electric car at the Paris Motor Show in 2016
- The all-new ID.3 five-door hatchback launch model ‘ID.3 1stedition’ was revealed this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show
- The EV model, an important step for Volkswagen, has been positioned as an affordable electric car for ‘everyone’. The EV ID.3 model is marked as ‘3’, as this will be the third most important chapter for the German automotive company, after the Beetle and Golf models
- VW has confirmed that it has received up to 30,000 reservations so far and achieved its intended target before the world premier at the Frankfurt Motor show. The company received the reservations from Germany, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom and the Netherlands
- The electric car uses the MEB bespoke electric platform. Manufacturing will commence in November 2019, with deliveries expected to commence mid-2020
- The ID.3 will be available in three potential battery sizes: 45 kWh, 58 kWh and 77 kWh
- The 45 kWh base model has a WLTP range up to 205 miles. The 58 kWh mid-range model has a WLTP range up to 261 miles. The top of the range 77 kWh model has a WLTP range of up to 341 miles (the launch edition will be available only with a 58 kWh battery pack). Battery guarantee is for a period of 8 years or 160,000 km
- Prices yet to be confirmed but launch model expected to be priced just under £30,000
Battery And Range
- Battery capacity: 58 kWh (launch edition)
- Battery type: lithium-ion
- Range (WLTP): 261 miles
- Capable of rapid charging (up to 125 kW DC fast charging capability)
Power & Performance
- 0-62 mph: N/A
- Top speed: 112 miles
- Brake horsepower: 201 bhp
- Torque: 229 lb ft
e-zoomed View
For those individuals skeptical about the inevitable shift from polluting internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to zero-emission electric cars, the significant commitment to electrification from automotive behemoths, like VW, is another firm reminder that the migration to electric vehicles is happening now.
This is not a story of just one more EV model, the ID.3. Rather a broader message for automotive manufactures: ‘to remain relevant to consumers, the commitment to electrification has to be now and comprehensive‘. For those OEM’s that fail to grasp the demand for electric cars, the future is limited to the scrapyard.
It is not only about new and better performing electric cars, but also about increasing affordability. VW is right to position this important all-electric model as ‘affordable’ and mainstream. We are pleased with their strong intent for zero-emission driving and applaud the ID.3 1stedition model. A perfect car for city and long distance driving to include school runs, commuting to work and weekend trips with the family.
