Whilst the new VW ID.3 electric hatch is now available for order in Europe (deliveries to begin late 2020), Australia will not be seeing that model any time soon. Rather, the first all-electric VW to reach our shores will be the ID.4 compact SUV.
Many Australian vehicle commentators have questioned that decision, given the previous popularity of the VW Golf and Polo models here. However, it appears that VW feels that Australia’s tastes follow those of Americans whose predilection for SUVs is well known.
As a result – for those interested in getting their hands on an electric VW in Australia: VW have just reached a major ID.4 milestone by announcing that series production of the ID4 has begun at their Zwickau/Wolfsburg factory – which in June produced its last ever combustion vehicle – in Germany.
It is also worth noting that with VW’s attempt to hit the EV market in massive numbers, pre-production of the ID.4 has also started at their Anting plant in China and their Chattanooga (US) site will start ID.4 production in 2022.
Interestingly, as part of VW’s program to achieve carbon neutrality in vehicle production, the Zwickau factory has been converted to an EV only production facility that is fully carbon neutral – and in its first full-year of production, the Zwickau facility is expected to produce 300,000 MEB based VWs.
For those unfamiliar with the ID.4 – it is the second model of a series of planned vehicles to be built on VW’s new, modular electric drive matrix (MEB) platform. Another much anticipated model based on that platform is the homage to the VW combi, currently dubbed the ‘ID Buzz’.
Although full specifications of the ID.4 have yet to be released, what we know so far are:
- Initial launch vehicle will be rear-wheel drive;
- an electric all-wheel-drive version will be added “at a later date”;
- The launch car is most likely to be using the 150kW/310Nm electric motor found in the ID.3;
- The range for the largest battery version will be around 500km (WLTP test cycle);
- Battery sizes will likely include 48, 58 and 77kWh
To quote VW board member for e-mobility, Thomas Ulbrich: “We are right on schedule with the Volkswagen brand’s transformation process to e-mobility. The ID.3 is now being followed by the ID.4.
“Given the major societal challenges of recent months, the successful start of ID.4 series production is an exceptional achievement, so my appreciation and thanks go especially to the Volkswagen team in Saxony and all members of the ID team.
“The second model in the ID. family is already rolling off the assembly line where, only recently, ICEs were still being built.”
Full details of the ID.4 will be announced at its official launch in late September. No official date for the ID.4 coming to Australia has been set beyond ‘sometime in 2022’.
Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.