- Designed to compete on price against cheaper rivals from brands such as BYD, Volkswagen has confirmed that it will reveal entry-level EVs for Europe in 2027, with prices starting at the €20,000 ($21,700) mark.
- The update confirms the continued development of a project previously named the ID.1, a spiritual successor to the now-discontinued Volkswagen e-Up!, once the cheapest EV available under the Volkswagen badge.
- This range of budget EVs will be manufactured within Europe, and designed specifically for Europe.
Volkswagen set to enter the budget EV game
Previously Volkswagen was reported to release a single low-cost EV in the near future, but this update hints at several different VW-branded EV models around the €20,000 mark on their way to consumers, with unveilings set to take place in just three years. The high level of localisation, with manufacturing and sales taking place within the same geographical region, is what Volkswagen says will help keep the prices of these upcoming cars down. Alongside the update, Volkswagen also published a teaser photo of one of its future €20,000 EVs, which suggests one model will take a hatchback form, but on a much smaller footprint than the current ID.3. In the wider Volkswagen brand group core, the company hinted at two EVs under €25,000, set to be unveiled before the end of 2025.
VW CEO, Thomas Schäfer, commented:
“The future is electric. In order for electromobility to become widespread, attractive vehicles are needed, especially in the entry-level segment. Our brand promise is: electromobility for all. This promise is now being fulfilled in the Brand Group Core. Despite the attractive price, our vehicles will set standards in the entry-level segment in terms of technology, design, quality, and customer experience. This task has become more demanding due to rising energy, material, and raw material costs. One thing is clear: electromobility from Europe for Europe can only succeed with political support and competitive framework conditions.”
