German carmaker Volkswagen is extensively joining the fray of electric vehicles and critics are saying that it is one way for the company to cleanse its reputation following the diesel emission scandal in the second half of 2015.
Based on current projections, the Volkswagen Group is aiming to sell one million electric cars per year by 2025, which is quite a formidable goal. However, the company has reportedly set its sights on launching 30 different electric vehicle models across multiple brands in the next eight years.
Interestingly, the company is looking to launch at least eight new electric vehicles (NEVs) or updated plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) models in China from now until 2025 because the company recognizes the country as the world’s largest single car market.
Based on an internal planning document obtained by sources, Volkswagen appears to be planning to unveil a mix of battery-electric cars and plug-in hybrids from the main Volkswagen brand, as well as Audi and domestic Chinese brands established by VW and Chinese partners.
EV cars coming to China
Volkswagen operates two joint ventures in China, the FAW-Volkswagen and Shanghai-Volkswagen. Soon they will add a third joint venture to the mix, JAC-Volkswagen, which will sell affordable electric cars under a yet unknown new brand.
Four of the new EVs will be sold under the Volkswagen brand, two under the Audi brand, and another two under JAC-Volkswagen.
These EVs will be based on three main platforms: MQB, MLB, and MEB (modular electric toolkit). The latter is a dedicated electric car platform. The JAC-Volkswagen cars will be based on existing JAC platforms, details Forbes.
The list of the eight cars includes the Volkswagen e-Golf, an updated version of which was unveiled at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show with a larger battery pack, a more powerful motor, and minor styling updates.
There are also reports saying that China will also get a plug-in hybrid version of the second-generation VW Tiguan crossover. The model may come to the US as well, although Volkswagen has not confirmed anything so far.
There is also the Phideon, a plug-in hybrid version of the China-only Phideon sedan. It will get the same hybrid system as the Tiguan but it will deliver about 245 horsepower. The Phideon will launch late this year using the MLB platform.
The VW Group is also reportedly planning two larger plug-in hybrid sedans for the Chinese market. One is an updated version of the Audi A6 L e-tron already on sale there, the other is a version of a sedan from local automaker SAIC that shares a platform with Audi.
China will also get the Audi e-tron electric SUV, slated to start European production in 2018, as well as the production version of the Volkswagen ID concept first shown at the 2016 Paris Motor Show in October last year.
The ID is a compact hatchback but VW also showed an alternate version called the ID Buzz at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, with styling inspired by the classic Microbus.
Both ID concepts ride on the new MEB platform, which was developed specifically for small electric cars.
The ID is an electric compact crossover and is a very important car for Volkswagen because it is their first car that was developed as an electric car from the very beginning, and it will also be the first car to be based on the MEB platform. It will have around 68 horsepower and a 410-kilometer range.
Two more models undisclosed
But the company has not yet specified the final two models out of the eight EV cars it is planning to unveil in China, but they will apparently be co-developed with local automaker JAC.
China has traditionally required foreign automakers to partner with domestic firms to win permission to build cars within its borders.