Volkswagen to go all electric by 2026
The Volkswagen Group has said that is on the brink of its "biggest transformation to date", as it announces its timetable for the switch to making electric cars exclusively.
With a €28.1 billion investment over the next few years, 70 new models of electric vehicle in line for production and the phasing-out of the combustion engine, VW has said that 2026 will be the final year the group develops a combustion platform.
“We’re moving into a tremendously exciting time,” said Sten Forsberg, Head of VW Cars in Sweden. “It’s a complete transformation and the biggest ever investment in the VW Group.”
The move originates from the management’s decision to take the Group’s responsibility for the share of global CO2 emissions emanating from its cars more seriously.
“We’re talking about 1%, so we’re taking the baton and dealing with the situation. Electric cars will go from being a niche product to a volume product,” said Forsberg.
The VW Group – which includes Audi, Skoda, Porsche and others – has assessed all kinds of drivelines and concluded that pure electric cars are the way forward.
During a transition period, chargeable hybrids will be available, as will certain fuel-cell cars for long-haul transport, but the goal is a clear and total shift.
Some electric models have already seen the light of day. First out will be the ID family including the ID.3 and ID.Buzz, a throwback to the classic VW Camper.
Several of VW's factories are already switching over to exclusive production of green electric cars. The first one is Zwickau in Germany, where the ID.3 goes into production in November, followed by Emden, Hanover and Dresden.
“In addition, we have also promised that our entire production chain for the ID concept will be completely CO2 neutral. So that includes subcontractors, raw material extraction, the use of electricity and everything else,” explained Forsberg.
“We will do everything we can to reduce and eliminate CO2 emissions, and we’ll be following up with our partners. In areas where we’re unable to eliminate CO2, we’ll compensate during a transition period,” he continued.
Forsberg also said that battery production is a principal issue for VW - only green electricity can be used to produce the battery cells, which is a very energy-intensive process.
“I’ve worked in the automotive industry a long time, and we’re now moving into a tremendously exciting time, taking the step from being a major emitter to being CO2 neutral. It’s truly thrilling.”
Sweden has an electricity mix that’s among the best in the world from a CO2 perspective and has every potential to be a pioneering nation in that respect.
Forsberg concluded by reassuring Volkswagen subcontractors that the shift will mean new opportunities for all. “Obviously, such a shift in the automotive sector will mean that new expertise is needed, but generally speaking I think it will entail new business opportunities for many subcontractors, not just in the automotive sector but in all parts of society,” he said.
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