German automaker Volkswagen has previewed its much touted ID. Every1 concept car, the carmaker’s vision for its first entry-level electric vehicle (EV) which it says will launch in 2027 for around €20,000.
The world premiere of the ID. Every1 concept is being billed as the next logical step in the company’s journey of “enabling affordable mobility for millions of people” that dates back to the launch of the VW Beetle and, more recently, the Volkswagen ‘up!’.
“Our ambition was to create something bold yet accessible,” said Andreas Mindt, head of design at Volkswagen.
“The ID. Every1 has a self-assured appearance but remains likeable – thanks to details such as the dynamic front lights and the ‘smiling’ rear,” he said. “These design elements make it more than just a car: they give it character and an identity that people can relate to.”
While not the first affordable EV Volkswagen has teased – in early 2023 the company unveiled its plans for an affordable EV called the ID. 2all – the ID. Every1 is expected to be VW’s first entry into the €20,000-class, after the ID. 2all debuts in 2026 in the €25,000-class.
Both cars will be part of Volkswagen’s new Electric Urban Car Family with front-wheel drive, which is under development under the Brand Group Core, encompassing volume brands of the larger Volkswagen Group, and which is based on the company’s modular electric drive platform, MEB.
The ID. 2all and ID. Every1 are just two of the 9 EVs that Volkswagen said it is planning to launch by 2027, which will include an additional two EVs based on this front-wheel drive MEB platform.
The ID. Every1 is definitely part of the ‘compact’ segment, measuring 3,880mm (only 20mm longer than the popular Suzuki Swift) and will offer a top speed of 130km/h from a newly developed electric drive motor with 70kW (95 PS) and a targeted range of “at least” 250 kilometres.
When it enters production, the ID. Every1 will also be the first model in the entire Volkswagen Group lineup to use what the company describes as “a fundamentally new, particularly powerful software architecture” which will allow future entry-level Volkswagen models to be equipped with new functions throughout their entire life cycle.
“Even after purchase of a new car, the small Volkswagen can still be individually adapted to customer needs,” the company promised.
The ID. Every1 is also billed as the next step in the “Future Volkswagen” agreement which was recently signed with the company’s employee side.
The agreement commits Volkswagen to combining economic stability, employment, and technological leadership in the field of sustainable mobility, and while it also includes an annual €1.5 billion reduction in labour costs, also binds the company to release 9 new EVs by 2027.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.