Volkswagen working on cut-price ID models

Volkswagen is working on a new entry level ID electric model, with the aim of launching it on the European market with a price tag of €20,000 ($NZ33,500). There are a few buts however. The proposed ID.2 is still three years away, and to make it affordable, the model will feature the bare essentials.

This ID.2 will be a small crossover sort of thing, about the same size as the current T-Cross, and will be the brand’s first model on a new MEB Entry electric platform. The development of these underpinnings is said to have been delayed as the firm struggles to bring it to market at a price that is both affordable while still making money.

It’s hoped in that time frame that battery tech will improve as well. It’s expected the ID.2 will utilise lithium-iron-phosphate tech, said to be about 50 per cent cheaper than lithium-ion batteries.

While these phosphate batteries don’t pack as much energy density, the ID.2 will be pitched as a city car, and so a big range won’t be deemed as absolutely necessary. Expect varying levels of battery capacity to differentiate model variants.

VW’s push into the electric vehicle realm has seen a big investment in software, in particular the ability for ‘over-the-air’ updates.

Part of the strategy in getting the ID.2 to market at an affordable level is to offer a minimal specification as standard, and then give customers the ability to download options as they see fit.

The Seat and Skoda brands will also use the MEB Entry platform, while VW will likely offer an ID.1 hatch at some point too.