Volkswagen will make only electric cars in Europe within next 10 years

VOLKSWAGEN’S (VW) namesake brand is stepping up efforts to go entirely electric and vowing to phase out making combustion cars in Europe completely starting in 2033 at the latest.

The VW division will launch 10 new electric models by 2026, including an entry-level model the automaker wants to sell for less than 25,000 euros (S$35,417), brand chief Thomas Schaefer said on Wednesday (Oct 26). VW had previously said it planned to stop selling combustion cars in Europe between 2033 and 2035.

VW got off to a bumpy start with the all-electric ID series that was intended to challenge Tesla. The initial model - the ID.3 hatchback - only started deliveries on time in 2020 because early buyers agreed to wait months for certain functions to work. Ongoing software issues with the company’s electric models contributed to the company dismissing Herbert Diess as chief executive officer and making Porsche boss Oliver Blume the CEO starting last month.

Schaefer, who used to lead VW’s Skoda brand, said the carmaker will bring forward a facelift of the ID.3 to next year. The model will take “a significant and noticeable leap forward in terms of quality, materials and system stability”, he said. BLOOMBERG