Large stage for a small car: Volkswagen presented his electric car ID.EVERY1 for 20,000 euros in Düsseldorf with a lot of effort. But it is only a show car and not ready for series production.
The new electrical hope of Volkswagen measures just 3.88 by 1.81 meters. With the ID.EVY1, the Wolfsburg-based company presented a small electric car that was the successor to the e-up produced until 2023! can apply.
The importance of the car for the group is great: Such a VW vehicle has long been required by many sides – voices come from politics and environmental protection, from the consumer side and experts. So far, according to Volkswagen's argument, the batteries were still too expensive to build an electric car with which money can also be earned. That changes now.
VW boss Oliver Blume at the presentation of the small car ID.EVEVERY1.
The “typical Volkswagen” comes late
“The ID.EVY1 is an extremely important car for us because it will be electrical entry into the brand,” said VW brand board member Thomas Schäfer in an interview with the NDR. “But it is also a sign for the whole group that even small vehicles can be produced economically.” However, the ID.EVY1 is only to be produced from 2027.
“Volkswagen occupies a very large market segment very late, just these small cars, to bring the typical Volkswagen onto the market,” criticizes Helena Wisbert, professor of automotive industry at the Westfalia University in Wolfsburg. “And Volkswagen does not reach the CO2 goals this year either. This car would have helped if it were brought to the market earlier.”
VW Luft provides proposal from the EU Commission
Volkswagen receives tailwind in this context from a new proposal from the EU Commission. It essentially provides for the Europe-wide CO2 limit values for car manufacturers to flexible in the coming years. CO2 savings that manufacturers do not reach this year can be compensated for by higher savings by 2027.
For VW, the model becomes less likely with the model for exceeding the limit values. Nevertheless, the time for cheap electric cars is pushing. While the segment in Europe has so far been rather fertilized, car manufacturers from all over the world are now increasingly advancing into the area. In the coming year, VW wants to offer at least an electric car for around 25,000 euros with ID.2.
Most technical details are still unknown
If VW with the new ID.EVY1 is not quickly on the market, at least the overall package has to be right so that the small electric car is a success. So far, the show car mainly allows conclusions to be drawn about the design, most technical questions are still open. The model has a “friendly face”, praises Leslie Schraut, a social media editor in car, engine and sport. “But it will be the technology that is ultimately decisive.”
The range should be at least 250 kilometers. One of the biggest challenges: the software. Brand chief Schäfer himself admits that VW had to lie down a “steep learning curve”. The software of the first electric model was not convincing, and VW has now caught up.
Small electric cars are built in southern Europe
The future small car will receive a “modern software architecture”, promises Schäfer. It will be the first model within the group where the software is developed together with Rivian. VW 2024 founded a joint venture with the American e-car manufacturer in order to get better to progress when it comes to software.
One thing is clear: the two smallest electric car models from VW will not be built in Germany, but in southern Europe. That is understandable, says Helena Wisbert. The labor costs in Spain, for example, were around half compared to Germany. Competitive cars could still be built in Germany, Thomas Schäfer assures. However, the small cars with the comparatively low profit margins are not.
