Skoda undecided about affordable all-electric Volkswagen ID. rival

Skoda CEO admits that firm has not yet committed to an affordable electric car to sit on the MEB platform

Skoda Vision iV concept - front

Skoda has yet to commit to a more affordable electric car that could sit alongside the Volkswagen ID. hatchback and SEAT el-Born in the forthcoming range of MEB models, the CEO has admitted.

The Czech manufacturer will launch its first vehicle based on the MEB all-electric platform next year. A production version of the Vision iV large SUV coupe, built on the longer MEB wheelbase shared with the likes of the VW ID. Crozz, it will be made on the same line as the Octavia at Skoda’s home factory in Mlada Boleslav.

Volkswagen ID. hatch order books to open in May

The new model will be part of Skoda’s plan to launch “at least 10” fully electric, plug-in hybrid or 48-volt mild-hybrid vehicles by 2022 - but while this number will include an additional MEB model, the company’s CEO Bernhard Maier told Auto Express that it has yet to commit to following VW and SEAT with a more affordable pure-electric offering.

“We have two MEB cars coming. One is the basis and the other is the derivative of that first model,” Maier said. These cars are understood to be the Vision iV coupe and a regular SUV with a more conventional roofline. They should both reach market by the end of 2021. 

However, Maier said Skoda is “still working on” the idea of a more affordable MEB model - in the same way as VW’s stated goal of selling the entry-level ID. hatchback for about the same price as a well-specced diesel Golf. “This platform is really multi-functional. It is usable for different car sizes and different car segments,” Maier said. “We are looking for a lower-specced car as well. And once we have a positive business case we can come up with a clear solution.”

He added, “We want to do a car like the ID. hatchback or the [SEAT] el-Born, but it has to be one step after the other. We have a clear product target.” 

Maier did admit, however, that the cheaper MEB model could be at the heart of rumoured plans for a car based on the platform to be built at Skoda’s Kvasiny factory - the same plant where the plug-in hybrid version of the Superb will be produced from later this year.

What do you think of Skoda's electric plans? Let us know in the comments below...

Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Recommended

Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of Audi, BMW, Citroen, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
20 Nov 2023
New Euro 7 emissions regs could kill the Skoda Fabia
Skoda Fabia - front tracking
News

New Euro 7 emissions regs could kill the Skoda Fabia

Skoda is waiting for the final details of new Euro 7 emissions standards before committing to a new generation of its popular supermini
5 Oct 2023
New Skoda vRS hot hatch on the way: a VW ID.2 GTI for less?
Skoda baby vRS - exclusive image
News

New Skoda vRS hot hatch on the way: a VW ID.2 GTI for less?

A hot version of Skoda's upcoming small EV could wear the vRS badge, and our exclusive image previews how it could look
2 Oct 2023
New Skoda Enyaq L&K luxury flagship revealed
LK Enyaq - front
News

New Skoda Enyaq L&K luxury flagship revealed

The all-electric Skoda Enyaq has received the Laurin and Klement treatment
23 May 2023

Most Popular

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023
The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio
Auto Express editor-in-chief Steve Fowler holding a speaker developed by Warwick Acoustics
Features

The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio

British firm is planning to shake up the in-car hi-fi world with its audio panels that replace traditional speakers. We sound them out
27 Nov 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023