Volkswagen ID.1 Will Be A Polo-Sized Affordable EV With 300km Range

Volkswagen’s ID.3, ID.4 (SUV), and ID.5 (SUV) electric vehicles have received a tremendous response in most markets. While these electric cars fall in the premium category, the brand will be focusing on developing affordable EVs for European regions and emerging markets such as India. VW showcased its ID Life concept in 2021, which was said to spawn the entry-level VW cars, possibly the VW ID.1 and VW ID.2. But now, the brand has released a teaser sketch of its affordable electric car, which looks vastly different from the ID Life concept.

Let’s have a look at what the VW small car will bring to the table. 

Volkswagen Entry-Level Electric Small Car Expectations

Going by the teaser sketch, the Volkswagen ID.1 seems to sport a curvy front end and a small car form factor rather than the micro-SUV like boxy design of the VW ID Life concept vehicle. The design looks inspired by the VW ID.3 electric car, albeit slightly smaller. The VW ID.1 is most likely to be under 4 metres in length. It will be underpinned by a watered-down MEB platform called MEB Entry. Also, it will be shortened by 100mm to suit the VW ID.1 better and reduce the input costs.   

Ralf Brandstätter, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles, said, “We have promised to realise this all-electric car in the €20,000–€25,000 (roughly £17,000–£21,000) price segment, and we will deliver by 2025! Like this, Volkswagen is further lowering the entry barrier for CO2-neutral mobility, making it affordable for even more people.” 

To keep the costs low, the VW ID.1 could pack in a smaller capacity battery compared to the 58kWh of the VW ID.3. Expect it to come with a battery pack between 30kWh and 40kWh, which can offer a real-world driving range of up to 300km. The electric motor will be detuned to deliver up to 150PS to extract maximum efficiency. 

Volkswagen and SEAT have announced a €10 billion investment to set up an electric vehicle production facility in Spain. The VW ID.1 is likely to roll out from this factory in 2025. Volkswagen is optimistic about its mass-market products like the VW ID.1 and VW ID.2 EVs and is aiming to dethrone Tesla as the top EV seller by 2025.