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A capable EV for less than 25,000 euros.
Electric vehicles are still too expensive, but that could change soon. For months we’ve been hearing about a compact EV from Tesla, priced at $25,000, but this week Volkswagen beat them to it. This is the new affordable VW ID.2 concept.
Before you get too excited, the new ID.2 EV hatchback is just a concept right now, even if it appears to be production-ready. More importantly, the German automaker is aiming for a launch date of early 2025.
According to Volkswagen’s official press release, when this smart little ID.2 hatchback EV arrives, it will cost less than €25,000 ($26,000), making it an affordable EV for everyone. The electric car will build on the success of the larger ID.4, alongside the recently launched (in Europe) ID.3, with the company saying it is “roomy like a Golf, economical like a Polo”.
As you can see in the images above, the new ID.2 looks a lot like the brand’s popular VW Golf. It’s everything on the inside that’s important though, making it a pretty impressive EV for the price.
Volkswagen says it’s aiming for a range of around 450 kilometers (280 miles) per charge thanks to a capable FWD system and single-engine setup. That lone electric motor should deliver around 223 horsepower, but because of the size and weight, it’ll go from 0 to 60 in around seven seconds. The company did not mention the size of the battery.
The ID.2 is part of VW’s new “MEB Entry” platform that will underpin a number of the company’s vehicles. An essential aspect of the MEB Entry platform is the charging system, which is supposed to charge vehicles from 10 to 80% in less than 20 minutes.
Again, while this is just a concept at the moment, we’re looking at a pretty impressive interior complete with dual 12-inch infotainment screens and gauge cluster, a large dial to control all systems, two wireless charging pads in center console and interior lighting throughout.
The concept shows a vehicle with a shorter wheelbase and lower height than the current ID.3, but should still offer a roomy interior for up to four passengers.
The official announcement mentioned Volkswagen’s advances in software, which also included EV route planning, “IQ. Light”, smart headlight systems, travel assistance and other software suites. It’s worth noting that most of the information is for an upcoming release in Europe, so we’re not sure if it will ever make it to the United States.
Either way, this is an exciting new entry into electric vehicles, even if it doesn’t hit the streets until 2025. More importantly, this isn’t the only budget EV Volkswagen has in the works. VW also mentioned a model that will follow in the ID. 2 but could cost less than 20,000 euros.
Source: Volkswagen
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