Can you find a budget-friendly electric VW for under 35 grand in the States? It’s possible that this would happen swiftly. As head of technique at VW Group America, Reinhard Fischer has outlined the company’s ambitious goal to develop and manufacture an electric vehicle (EV) priced competitively under $35,000 in either the United States or Mexico.
Volkswagen aims to deliver a mass-market electric vehicle priced under $35,000.
Volkswagen aims to rival Tesla’s dominance in the electric vehicle market. To stay ahead of the competition, it aims to offer competitive pricing for its electric vehicles.
At the Reuters Occasions Cellular Automotive USA 2023 conference, Herbert Diess’s representative, Fischer, revealed Volkswagen’s ambitious plan to bring an electric vehicle priced under $35,000 to the US market within a 3- to 4-year timeframe. The automaker is exploring regional battery pack sourcing to enable its sub-$35,000 electric vehicle to qualify for up to a $7,500 IRS tax credit.
Fischer announced that they are not revising their plans to scale up electric vehicle (EV) production in the United States. market, undeterred by rival automakers Ford and General Motors’ decisions to delay their investments.
Volkswagen currently offers the ID.4 in the US. The electric SUV offers eight distinct trim options, starting at an affordable $38,995.
The VW ID.4’s most affordable trim option, the Commonplace, is priced under $40,000 and boasts an estimated range of 209 miles. For $43,995, the ID.4 Professional boasts an impressive range of up to 275 miles.
Volkswagen is set to launch its ID.Buzz, a three-row electric minibus, in the next year. The VW Atlas Cross Sport’s identical size and width make it roughly comparable to a minibus. The exact costs are yet to be disclosed, but it’s expected to start around $60,000.
Its flagship ID.7 model will debut at U.S. dealerships within the next 12 months. Volkswagen has started taking orders for the ID.7 electric vehicle in Europe, with prices starting from €56,900 or approximately $62,000.
With this omission in place, there’s a notable void in the automaker’s product range. A reasonably priced electric vehicle option, under $35,000, would complement Volkswagen’s electric vehicle portfolio.
As Volkswagen assembles the ID.4 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, it holds the authority to make the electric vehicle eligible for the full $7,500 federal tax credit by meeting domestic production requirements. The manufacturer has deliberately designed an additional plant to produce its Scout model in South Carolina. The brand-new electric vehicle may set you back around $27,500. I’m intrigued by your consideration of a Volkswagen e-Golf at that value.
Electrek’s Take
Volkswagen has already confirmed its intention to offer affordable electric vehicles (EVs). The automaker unveiled its ID 2all concept in March, a sub-$27,000 electric vehicle offering affordable access to sustainable mobility.
As the CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Automobiles, Thomas Schäfer declared: “The ID.2all showcases our vision for the brand’s future,” featuring enhanced aesthetics and innovative technology at a competitive price point.
Volkswagen Group’s Chief Financial Officer, Arno Antlitiz, stated in June that the company is “fairly assured” it can achieve its target price point, citing progress in battery technology and manufacturing efficiency.
As Volkswagen weighs options for an affordable electric vehicle, several manufacturers are already making it happen.
Volvo’s upcoming EX30 electric crossover is set to arrive in the US market within the next 12 months, as we previously assessed. You may already make a reservation before deliveries come next summer. The compact electric SUV starts at $34,950, excluding the $1,295 destination fee, and offers an estimated range of up to 275 miles.
After streamlining its pricing strategy, Tesla’s Model 3 starts at a competitive $38,990, offering an impressive estimated range of up to 272 miles on a single charge. The Tesla Model Y starts at $43,990 with a range of 260 miles.
Volkswagen’s eagerness to launch an electric vehicle priced beneath thirty-five thousand dollars stems from its aspiration to dominate the affordable EV market. Would I consider buying a VW EV at these prices? Maybe, depending on how they stack up against competing models and whether the features and range justify the cost.
