Summary
– Volkswagen faced major challenges after the Dieselgate scandal but pivoted towards electric motors under Herbert Diess
– The focus on electric models led to the development of the ID.3, ID.4/ID.5, Porsche Taycan, and other electric vehicles
– Oliver Blume replaced Diess and shifted the focus to plug-in hybrids, introducing the Golf GTE and Golf eHybrid
– Volkswagen ended talks with Renault to jointly develop an affordable electric vehicle, signaling a setback in their efforts
– The challenge for electric car manufacturers remains in addressing consumer attitudes and expanding charging infrastructure to boost electric car sales.
Article
When the Dieselgate scandal hit Volkswagen in 2015, the company faced the possibility of bankruptcy. However, this crisis led to a restructuring of the company, with new CEO Herbert Diess focusing on transitioning from diesel engines to electric motors. This shift resulted in the development of electric vehicles such as the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and the Porsche Taycan. Even Volkswagen’s heavy-duty truck divisions started working on electric Class 8 trucks. However, Diess has been replaced by Oliver Blume, who is now focusing more on plug-in hybrids, as there is demand for them in markets like China and the US.
Volkswagen announced the release of two new plug-in hybrid models, the Golf GTE and Golf eHybrid, with improved battery capacity and range. These models can be charged at home using a wall box supply up to 11 kW of power or using 50 kW DC chargers. With increased electric ranges and quick charging capabilities, the Golf models offer a combined range of up to 620 miles. However, the pricing for these hybrids may not be considered budget-friendly, with the Golf eHybrid starting at 44,240 euros and the Golf GTE starting at 46,745 euros.
Volkswagen’s discussions with Renault to jointly develop an affordable electric version of the Twingo have collapsed. This setback means Volkswagen may have to develop its own affordable electric vehicle to compete against Chinese rivals. The failure of the talks could also impact Renault’s plans for producing the electric Twingo by 2026. The European carmakers hoped to share the work to reduce costs, but disagreements arose over factory locations. Volkswagen’s potential decision to develop its own electric car independently could impact the broader collaboration between European carmakers.
The challenge for electric car manufacturers lies in creating vehicles that can compete with conventional cars in terms of affordability and infrastructure. While efforts are being made to expand charging infrastructure, challenges remain in ensuring reliability and convenience for electric vehicle owners. Manufacturers need to address the charging dilemma to unlock the electric car market fully. The focus should not just be on building affordable EVs but also on providing adequate charging solutions to meet the needs of drivers, ultimately shifting consumer attitudes towards electric vehicles.
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