About Volkswagen
Volkswagen AG is internationally known as the Volkswagen Group. It was founded in 1937 by the German Labour Front and the company is based in Wolfsburg, Germany. The company’s current slogan is “VOLKSWAGEN”, Volkswagen means, in German, “People’s Car”. The company manufactures passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, turbo-machinery and engines. It is a leading car manufacturer not only in Germany but also in Europe and in the world. Over the years, it has became a symbol of Germany’s economy. Some popular brands operated by the Volkswagen Group are – VOLKSWAGEN, CUPRA, AUDI, PORSCHE, SKODA, LAMBORGHINI, SEAT, BENTLEY, DUCATI, MAN and SCANIA. Volkswagen Group has 671,205 employees and production network of more than 100 locations in the worldwide.
Volkswagen’s “Environmental Mission Statement – GO TO ZERO”
All Volkswagen’s vehicles are to minimize environmental impacts during the entire lifecycle from raw material to finished products. They agreed on the Paris Climate Agreement – two degree target and Volkswagen aimed at becoming CO2 neutral by 2050. Near 2025, they hope to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emission of vehicles by 30%. The company will increase at least 40% of electric vehicles in their fleet by 2030. They are continuously working on how to improve their products, production units and services according to environmental compatibility.
Electric Vehicles of Volkswagen
Most electric vehicle manufacturers have started innovation of electric vehicles in the last decade, while Volkswagen had started its journey since 1970 and Dr Adolf Kalberlah was leading this work. Dr Adolf Kalberlah was an electrochemist and specialist in the field of battery research. He used the best technology available at that time to create electric vehicle batteries. He used lead and acid for the battery, the weight of that battery was about 1,847 lb, which was too much. At that time not much research was done on batteries. Whereas today lithium-ion batteries are used which are small and compact.
In 1972, – Electro – Bus, Volkswagen’s first electric vehicle, Electro – Bus, was launched. It was powered by heavy and low capacity battery. Electro – Bus was sold with the memorable slogan “Zero liters per 100 km”. Its range was only 25 miles and top speed was 43 miles per hour. The battery size was 1,847 lbs and got full charged in 10 hours from ordinary socket in your house.
In 1976 – City Taxi, Dr Adolf and his team unveiled their first hybrid vehicle City Taxi, which became famous overnight. Then, he was known as the ‘Father of the Electric Drive’.
In 1983 – Golf, the company launched its first hybrid Golf concept – Golf I. It had a twin-shaft electric hybrid drive system.
In 1991, it unveiled a hybrid mini car called the CHIKO with straight twin petrol engine and electric motor.
In 1992 to 1996, the Company produced electric car – Golf III CitySTORMer.
In 2007, The Blue – a people carrier was launched partly powered by solar panels on the vehicle roof.
In 2011 – Nils Car, powered by lithium–ion battery.
In 2020 – e Golf, the last golf series model was released which enhances the features, performance, efficiency and its tested range is up to 144 miles.
Volkswagen ID Series – The beginning of a new era of Volkswagen electric vehicles and also in the electric vehicles world.
VolkswagenID.3 – The first model of the Volkswagen ID family was ID.3 and its production started from 2019 and was delivered to customers since 2020. It was introduced at Paris Motor Show in 2016. VW ID3 is a small family car and its body type is hatchback. This electric car is rear wheel drive. All the models of the ID family are based on Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB). This drive has been optimized to maximum ranges with low cost. According to Volkswagen, ID stands for intelligent design, identity and visionary technology. It is the first vehicle of Volkswagen which was produced with a carbon neutral balance along the entire supply chain.
Volkswagen ID.4 – The second model of the Volkswagen ID family was ID.4 and its production started in 2020. It was introduced in Shanghai Motor Show and Frankfurt Auto Show in 2017. It is a fully electric crossover SUV and is based on Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB). The VW ID4 series is produced and sold in China, US, Europe. VW gave the slogan for the advertisement “A Car for the Millions, Not the Millionaires”. VW ID4 was elected WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR IN 2021.
Volkswagen ID.5 – The third model of the Volkswagen ID family was ID.5 and its production started from 2021. It is a coupe crossover SUV version of the VW ID4. The VW ID5 is available in three variants – ID.5 Pro, ID.5 Pro Performance and ID.5 GTX.
Volkswagen ID.6 – It is a part of ID family and its production started in China from 2021. VW ID6 is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating. It has dual motor and all-wheel drive. It is also based on Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB).
Volkswagen ID.7 – It is also a part of VW ID family and production started in 2023. ID7 is marked in the e-segment. It was first viewed at the Consumer Electronics Shows in Las Vegas. The Volkswagen ID.7 is produced in Emden, Germany for North America and Europe. VW ID7 is a luxurious car and competes with similar segment in the market. Volkswagen ID. Buzz – ID Buzz is an electric minivan. It is the first production of The Volkswagen in electric van segment and was produced in Hanover, Germany. VW ID Buzz is a part of Volkswagen ID series. The electric minivan was first introduced in North American International Auto Show, 2017 and production started in 2022. This electric minivan was available in Europe market in 2022 and the US market in 2024.
If you are conscious about the environment, then Volkswagen’s electric vehicles will be your first choice because Volkswagen has been making electric vehicles with loyalty towards the environment for the last 5 decades. Whereas most of the companies have been manufacturing from the last decade. VW has invested and researched a lot on electric vehicles and its battery. There are many other electric cars of Volkswagen but only the main vehicles have been mentioned. If you want to know more then visit the website of Volkswagen.