Volkswagen budget electric car: what we know about the Tesla Model 3 rival
German car giant announces plans to convert two factories into EV plants
Volkswagen has reportedly given the green light to build an entry-level electric car that will rival Tesla’s Model 3.
Sources at the German car giant told Autocar that the electric vehicle will be based on the company’s MEB production platform, which underpins the VW ID concept range that debuted at the 2016 Paris motor show.
The car, known internally as “MEB Entry”, is rumoured to take the form of a five-seater compact crossover that will join five other upcoming models in VW’s ID electric range. These include the Crozz SUV, Aero sport brake, Buzz microbus, Vizzion saloon and the Neo hatchback, the magazine says.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
While the rumoured budget EV has yet to be confirmed by VW, the company announced yesterday that it plans to convert its German factories in Emden and Hanover to prepare for its EV product offensive, says CNet.
VW’s push towards electric cars is expected to get under way in 2020 when the Neo goes on sale, which will be followed by the budget crossover two years later, notes Autocar.
How much will the budget EV cost?
Speaking to Reuters, company insiders said the budget EV will cost around €20,000 (£17,600). This would undercut the Tesla Model 3 by around €10,000 (£8,900). VW plans to produce around 200,000 examples of the so-called MEB Entry.
What will it look like?
It’s difficult to say at the moment, given that Volkswagen is keeping quiet over its electric production cars.
However, Autocar says the budget vehicle may take the form of a five-door compact crossover, similar to the company’s “combustion-engined T-Roc” SUV.
Sources told the magazine that the EV will have “classless design appeal, outstanding interior space within a compact footprint and the sort of affordability to allow it to appeal to a wide number of car buyers in all of Volkswagen’s existing markets”.
Meanwhile, images of the MEB production platform (pictured above) posted by the German carmaker suggest the entry-level car will have a battery unit placed directly underneath the cabin, allowing for boots at both ends of the vehicle.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - December 21, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - losing it, pedal to the metal, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Three fun, festive activities to make the magic happen this Christmas Day
Inspire your children to help set the table, stage a pantomime and write thank-you letters this Christmas!
By The Week Junior Published
-
The best books of 2024 to give this Christmas
The Week Recommends From Percival Everett to Rachel Clarke these are the critics' favourite books from 2024
By The Week UK Published
-
Are plug-in hybrids better for America's climate goals?
Talking Points The car industry considers a 'slower, but more plausible path' to reducing emissions
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
EV market slowdown: a bump in the road for Tesla?
Talking Points The electric vehicle market has stalled – with worrying consequences for carmakers
By The Week UK Published
-
The week's good news: Dec. 14, 2023
Feature It wasn't all bad!
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
MG4 EV XPower review: what the car critics say
Feature The XPower just 'isn't as much fun' as a regular MG4
By The Week Staff Published
-
Volkswagen ID.5 review: what the car critics say
Feature The ID.4's 'sportier, more stylish twin' – but 'don't believe the hype'
By The Week Staff Published
-
BMW iX1 review: what the car critics say
The Week Recommends BMW’s smallest electric crossover has ‘precise’ steering and a ‘smart interior’
By The Week Staff Published
-
2023 Peugeot e-2008 review: what the car critics say
The Week Recommends This small electric crossover has a ‘sophisticated feel’ and a bigger battery than the original
By The Week Staff Published
-
Lotus Eletre review: what the car critics say
The Week Recommends All-electric hyper SUV is not just entertaining to drive – it’s also ‘extraordinarily well made’
By The Week Staff Published