VW’s Upcoming EVs Could Be Priced Like Diesel Variants

Volkswagen released an assortment of details about their upcoming electric vehicles last week and the company stressed they would be affordable. The automaker didn’t go into specifics, but the company’s e-mobility boss has now suggested they will significantly undercut the competition.

Speaking with Green Car Reports, Thomas Ulbrich said Volkswagen’s upcoming electric vehicles will be priced competitively with diesel-powered models. While Ulbrich didn’t elaborate, the publication noted the 2015 Jetta TDI SE cost 25 percent more than the petrol-powered Jetta 1.8T SE. The difference between the petrol and diesel Touareg was even less at 17 percent.

Assuming Volkswagen keeps the percentages the same, the production version of the Golf-like ID concept could cost anywhere from between $24,465 and $26,137. Those numbers shouldn’t be taken as definitive by any stretch of the imagination, but they indicate that Volkswagen is serious about making electric vehicles affordable.

Volkswagen hasn’t been coy about this as the company is reportedly billing their EV plans as “electric for all” and “electric vehicles for millions, not millionaires.” Ulbrich highlighted this point by noting affordable pricing will enable the company to “convince millions” of people to buy electric vehicles because they’re “no longer [in] a price range for special customers.”

The company’s first MEB-based electric vehicle will arrive in 2020 and it is expected to be called the ID Neo. Volkswagen has been cagey about releasing detailed specifications, but the company has already confirmed the ID family will have a modular battery pack which will allow for ranges between 200 miles (321 km) and 340+ miles (547 km) using the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure.

Last week, the company also hinted at how they might be able to make electric vehicles affordable. Noting drivers who primarily use their vehicle in the city don’t need to travel long distances, Volkswagen said they “can opt for a battery with a lower energy yield.” This suggests the ID family will be offered with multiple battery options and ones with smaller capacities would likely be more affordable.