Skip advert
Advertisement

New VW electric car tech set for Paris Motor Show with 370-mile range target

Huge 600km (372 mile) range targeted for future Volkswagen EVs, while costs will drop to similar levels as petrol and diesel vehicle

Volkswagen EV teaser

One year on from the emissions scandal and VW is making bold claims about its future EVs as it targets a fully electric range of up to 600km (372 miles). VW’s lineup of all-new electric vehicles will begin production in 2019 and go on sale the following year. We’ll get our first look at the Paris Motor Show later this month, in the shape of a new electric concept car from the brand.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new VW EV will be based on a new platform called MEB developed exclusively for electric cars using lithium-ion batteries. Teased in an image that shows a covered car next to a Beetle and Golf Mk1 during a press conference, the concept model looks set to be a revolutionary step in VW’s production development. 

New Volkswagen XL3 hybrid to target Toyota Prius

Speaking at VW’s Wolfsburg HQ, Sales and Marketing boss Jürgen Stackmann told Auto Express: “We regard electric mobility at VW as a key positioning item for the future and believe VW will be a major player in this field for the future. We see a mega challenge to do this in a short time.” 

VW 600km electric range target

At the conference a slide was flashed up indicating where VW’s range of new EV’s would sit against rivals. A minimum range of 400km (248 miles) appears to be what VW is targeting. This is likely to be for small A and B segment cars, while the ‘scalable’ range tops out at 600km (372 miles). VW also confirmed EVs would be developed for ‘big growing segments’ indicating that the 600km range is likely to be reserved for SUVs that can accommodate the larger battery.

By the time VW’s first EV goes into production in 2019, the brand is also confident that the production and manufacturing costs of electric vehicles can be dramatically reduced compared to what they are today. It’s likely these cost savings will be passed onto the consumer so VW can market and sell future EVs at a more accessible price point, similar to the cost of a conventional petrol or diesel vehicle.

Paris Motor Show 2016: preview

Currently, assembling an e-Golf compared to a diesel-powered equivalent takes 60 to 90 minutes longer, while the cost of the assembly process is also 15 per cent higher. VW bosses also claimed that the cost of the lithium-ion battery also has the potential to be reduced by around 30 or 40 per cent. 

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

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Volkswagen ID.1 concept teased – the £16,600 VW EV for the masses
Volkswagen ID.1 concept

Volkswagen ID.1 concept teased – the £16,600 VW EV for the masses

The all-new city-sized EV will be the smallest and cheapest Volkswagen
News
5 Feb 2025
New Renault Twingo 2026 preview: potentially game-changing EV is totally retro
New Renault Twingo - front

New Renault Twingo 2026 preview: potentially game-changing EV is totally retro

The reborn Renault Twingo will cost just €20,000, however we’re still waiting on confirmation it will come to the UK
News
3 Feb 2025
VW makes more room for haggling on new car prices by ditching direct sales
Volkswagen ID.4 - front

VW makes more room for haggling on new car prices by ditching direct sales

Slow EV demand blamed for rethink across most group brands, but there’s no change at Cupra
News
28 Jan 2025
Car deal alert! Almost £9k off a VW ID.5 plus huge savings on brand's other electric cars
Volkswagen ID.3 - front tracking

Car deal alert! Almost £9k off a VW ID.5 plus huge savings on brand's other electric cars

In addition to the enormous deposit contributions, Volkswagen is also giving customers a free home wallbox plus 10k miles worth of free charging
News
20 Jan 2025

Most Popular

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?
BMW X3 and Lexus NX - front tracking

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?

BMW’s much-lauded new X3 is one of the best luxury compact SUVs on the market – but is it good enough to topple the cheaper hybrid-powered Lexus NX 35…
Car group tests
8 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month
Jaguar I-Pace - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month

The I-Pace shows how good an electric Jag can be. It’s our Deal of the Day for 7 February
News
7 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month
Mazda CX-5

Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month

The Mazda CX-5 is fun to drive, features a driver-focused, premium interior and is our Deal of the Day for 9 February
News
9 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts