Volkswagen has teased a genuinely affordable EV for years (the ID.3 was originally meant to be that model), but now it’s finally ready to make that machine a reality. The company has unveiled an ID.2all concept that anticipates a compact production car priced under €25,000 (about $26,000). It should be considerably more affordable than the second-generation ID.3 (€39,995 in Germany), but you won’t be as compromised as you might think.
The ID.2all is based on an upgraded “MEB Entry” platform that promises more performance than you’d expect from an EV of this size. The front-wheel drive car will have a 223 HP engine good for a sprint to 62 MPH in under seven seconds, and should have an estimated range of 280 miles. It is also expected to take just 20 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent. While there are clearly faster and longer-range electric vehicles out there, VW’s offering is more capable than alternatives like the Mini Cooper SE.
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And like many electric vehicles, the change in combustion power allows for considerably more interior space. VW claims as much space as a Golf even though the prices are closer to the Polo supermini. The trunk isn’t huge at 17 cubic feet, but the automaker claims it outperforms some larger cars. It may not compromise much on technology either, with VW promising Travel Assist, an EV route planner, and smart lighting.
The production ID.2all should debut in Europe in 2025. Unfortunately, we wouldn’t expect a North American release. Compact cars have been losing ground to crossovers and SUVs in the region for years, and VW’s US branch only sells the sportier Golf GTI and Golf R in that category. Like it or not, you’ll probably have to settle for an ID.4 if you want a reasonably sized VW EV on this side of the Atlantic.
Even so, the ID.2all is an important car for both VW and the industry. It should play a key role in a stepped-up electrification strategy that will see VW launch ten new electric vehicles by 2026, including the ID.7 sedan. This will also help the brand fend off competition from rival cars like the Renault Zoe (€35,100 in its native France). More importantly, this is part of a broader trend of making lower-priced EVs that don’t seem like major compromises. Chevy’s Equinox EV is about to go for $30,000 when it arrives this fall, and Tesla is still clinging to dreams of a $25,000 model. Even if these cars are priced higher than combustion engine equivalents, they should help EVs make the transition to the mainstream.
