Volkswagen unveiled its affordable, mass-market electric vehicle in the form of a concept called the ID. 2all. With a starting price of 25,000 euros (

VW beats Tesla to the punch and unveils an affordable electric vehicle

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2023-03-17 09:30:04

Volkswagen unveiled its affordable, mass-market electric vehicle in the form of a concept called the ID. 2all. With a starting price of 25,000 euros ($26,600) and an estimated range of 450 kilometers (279 miles), the Golf-looking electric hatchback is intended to be that most elusive thing: a plug-in vehicle for the people.

VW revealed the ID. 2all during an investor event in Germany — calling to mind Tesla’s own investor day event, in which Elon Musk was expected to show off his own affordable EV but didn’t. Tesla’s share price dropped after the event as investors griped about the absence of the promised EV. And less than two weeks later, VW has responded with its own spin on what an EV for the mass might look like.

During the presentation, VW outlined a strategy that includes an investment of 180 billion euros ($193 billion) over five years in areas including battery production and raw materials, as it seeks to slash the cost of EV production and overtake Tesla and others by increasing its market share.

But the ID. 2all was the centerpiece of the event, a compact EV with an attractive price and a lot of potential. Though just a concept, VW said it expects to put the vehicle into production starting in 2025. It will be one of 10 plug-in models set to debut by 2026.