Volkswagen has confirmed that plans for a pure-electric ‘ID.1’ supermini have been delayed by a couple of years, with the introduction of the new ID.Buzz minibus in 2022 taking priority.
The firm’s all-electric alternative for the Polo – speculatively named ID.1 – has been pushed back to the mid part of the decade, according to VW passenger automobiles boss Ralf Brandstatter.
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“Plans for an electric automobile under the ID.3 – with an entry-level price starting at €20,000 (£17,300) – are pushed up by two years to 2025,” said the VW executive, during the firm’s most current method update.
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The electric supermini is likely to use an adapted version of the Group’s MEB platform and will occupy a similar footprint to the Volkswagen Polo, although the packaging benefits of the electric underpinnings indicate it could have as much space as a Golf.
Volkswagen hasn’t confirmed an official reason for the delay, but the firm is said to be struggling with the car’s battery chemistry. There’s also doubt over whether Volkswagen can achieve a suitable profit at the EV’s targeted €20,000 (£17,300) starting price.
If all goes to plan and Volkswagen meets its 2025 deadline, the ID.1 will act as a direct competitor to the Peugeot e-208 and the Vauxhall Corsa-e. The hatchback would also play a crucial role in VW’s most current expectation for EVs to make up 70 percent of its European sales by 2030, given the continued popularity of the B-segment in Europe.
