Volkswagen to launch at least one new EV per year

Volkswagen will further accelerate its electrification plans, with boss Ralf Brandstätter pledging that more than 70% of its cars sold in Europe will be fully electric by 2030 - double VW’s previous target.

The firm had previously pledged that 35% of the Volkswagen brand’s European sales would be fully electric vehicles by the end of the decade, but Brandstätter said it is time to ramp up that target to make VW “the most attractive brand for sustainable mobility”, But he added that combustion-engined cars will continue to play a key role for the firm, committing to next-generation versions of key models including the Golf and Tiguan.

Under the new Accelerate strategy, Volkswagen has also vowed that more than 50% of its sales in the US and China will be fully electric by 2030, and Brandstätter said the firm will also invest heavily in developing its software and digital technology - including autonomous driving systems. 

"The automotive industry is changing fast," said Brandstätter. "We will fundamentally change Volkswagen in the coming years. We intend to defend our market leadership on a clear position: Volkswagen will be the most attractive brand for sustainable mobility."

The firm has committed to launching at least one EV per year to meet its renewed electric sales targets. The firm will launch three EVs this year: the four-wheel-drive hot ID 4 GTX will be followed by the coupé-styled ID 5 SUV, with the China-only ID 6 large SUV revealed next the end of the year. The production version of the ID Buzz will arrive in 2022, followed by the 'Aero B' estate - previously by the ID Vizzion concept.

Brandstatter also vowed the long-anticipated small electric car, likely called the ID 1, would arrive in 2025, two years later than originally planned. The firm's new flagship 'Project Trinity' EV, based on an advanced new platform, is due in 2026.

With the take-up rate of electric vehicles likely to vary in different regions worldwide, Brandstätter added that the firm will not move away from combustion-engined models entirely, saying "we will still need combustion engines for a while, but they should be as efficient as possible", particularly through the use of plug-in hybrid technology. The firm has committed to next-generation versions of the Golf, Tiguan, Passat and T-Roc.