Volkswagen to roll out EV Models every month from 2022

KUALA LUMPUR: In a major announcement, Matthias Muller, CEO Volkswagen has confirmed the Brand’s plan to launch at least one new model of its Electric Vehicle (EV) every month, starting 2022.

According to Muller, Volkswagen is committed to releasing 16, all-electric car models before 2022. To expedite the process, Volkswagen will be tailoring nine of its facilities to enable the EVs production by 2020, followed by their monthly releases in 2022.

The rollout is aimed at enabling Volkswagen to conform to the new, stringent emission norms. These require the carmaker to restrict the CO2 output at an average less than 95g/km, starting 2020.

Muller hopes the EVs will sail through without them having to pay any fines. He also expects the modernization of the traditional drivetrain to eventually contribute to improve air quality.

The Volkswagen EV incursion starts next year with the I.D. Hatchback, which is all set to be unveiled in its production version for the reveal in 2019; ahead of its market launch in 2020. The I.D. Crozz SUV, in its production version, follows the I.D Hatchback with the enigmatic I.D. Lounge and I.D. AEROe not far behind. The I.D. Buzz releases last. It lends the Kombi fans a taste of the van but with an electric spin.

In fact, Volkswagen slates the release of every I.D. model space with the existing rollouts of the brand. While the I.D. Cross companions the Tiguan, the I.D Hatch counterparts the Golf.

The Passat, on the other hand, is likely to find its equivalent in the I.D. Lounge that promises to boast of luxury and comfort all rolled into its coupe-like, spacious form; perfect for Volkswagen’s US and Chinese customers.  

Meanwhile, the I.D. AEROe is suspected to be a Scirocco or Beetle successor with its rear-wheel drive and the flaunt-worthy coupe-hatchback design that is sporty to the core.  

Further, the motor giant also plans to release whopping 300 new EVs including hybrids by 2030.

It has already pledged $31.52 billion to its core vehicle and combustion-engine technology portfolio, taking the five-year expenditure on the project to a jaw-dropping $141.86 Billion already.