Volkswagen is developing its cheapest electric car, the ID 1, with prices starting at about $20,000
CTOnews.com, March 16 (Xinhua)-- Volkswagen is preparing to launch its smallest and cheapest electric car, expected to be named ID 1, with a starting price of about $20,000 (CTOnews.com Note: about 138000 yuan currently). The car is expected to go on sale in 2027 and will be positioned lower than the recently released ID 2all concept car.
Volkswagen had another surprise on Wednesday after it unveiled its cheapest electric car to date, the ID 2all concept car with a range of nearly 300mph (482.8 km). Thomas Shafer, chief executive of Volkswagen passenger cars, said ID 2all "shows where we want to take the brand" and draws inspiration from classic models such as the Beatles and golf. It will be based on the automaker's new MEB entry platform, with prices starting at less than $27000 (currently about 186000 yuan).
However, Volkswagen's latest project, known as ID 1, will be cheaper, starting at about $20000. According to Autocar, the ID 1 will be the smallest and cheapest electric vehicle under the Volkswagen brand by far, with a lower positioning than the ID 2all, and is expected to be one of 10 electric vehicles to be launched by the carmaker in the next three years. ID 1 is similar in size to its current fuel-powered Polo. "Polo is very successful and is one of our representative models, and we will use this concept in the future," Shafer said. " At the same time, the VW leader mentioned that he was not sure whether he would use the same name, as in the case of Volkswagen Golf and ID 2. The low-cost electric car will be built on a new, unknown platform developed by Volkswagen, led by Skoda.
In addition, Volkswagen initially wanted the ID 2all to start selling for less than $21000, but later adjusted its target to $27000. Although Shafer admits that "it is not easy to sell a profitable electric car at this price," he said several Volkswagen teams are working to reduce costs.
The report points out that Volkswagen's ID 1 (or ID Polo) economical electric car will probably share some parts with the ID 2all concept car, such as the front motor of the 231BHP and the battery of the 38kWh or 58kWh.
