VW electric car

The E-Up! Is slated for production in 2013...likely not in the USA. The Golf blue-e-motion will soon be fleet tested, with production and US sales by 2014. E-Up! specifications given so far make the car look like it will be about in line with the Nissan Leaf.

However, the Leaf has a 24 KWh battery pack. The E-Up! has an 18 KWh pack. Both cars weigh in at about 3,400 lbs. Note that 18 kWh is the same size pack as in the Mitsubishi i Miev. The E-Up! tips the scales at about 2,400 lbs or 1,090 kg. The i Miev weighs in at 2,150 lbs or 980 kg. The i Miev needs more energy storage according to reviews.

The E-Up! has the same size battery pack as the i Miev. However, the E-Up! weighs 10% more. It looks like VW might want to consider adding a bit more energy storage. The e-motion comes with a larger 26.5 kWh pack. The gasoline energy equivalent is in the E-Up! Specs.

One advantage the E-Up! might have over the Leaf would be in the drive train. There are efficiencies to be captured in transmitting power to the wheels. VW claims to have developed a highly efficient integral drive unit for transmitting the electric motor power. Whether the efficiency gained from this unit will offset 6 KWh or so of storage remains to be seen.

A prototype of the E-Up! has been unveiled, though specs are slim and no price range has been given.

In the news, VW is planning to add those efficient drive trains for the E-Up! and possibly Audi Evs as well.

The E-UP! looks great. Hopefully the engineering will match and production will be profitable.

Volkswagon is also planning to produce an EV version of the ever popular VW van. The Bulli comes with a 40 kWh (plenty o' storage) pack, pushing an 85 kW motor. The new van however runs around $65,000 US! This price will keep many modern hippies far away.

VW has another van project, the VW ET van. The ET is planned to be operated by remote control.

In the meantime, it appears that VW is planning a 2012 Hybrid version of the popular VW Jetta.

In the news, VW has signed with the Chinese major auto manufacturer FAW
to produce the Kai-Li EV in China. More to come.

The Golf blue-e-motion is moving closer to production and sales. The e-motion is designed for a 150 km or 93 mile range provided through a 26.5 kWh Li-Ion pack. The car is powered by a 85 kW/113 hp electric motor which should push it to 150 kph or 60 mph in around 11 seconds, topping out at around 86 mph.

One big project for auto manufactures, including VW is producing EVs for in China customers. VW is reported working on a joint venture with SAIC Motor to produce an electric car they call the Tantus. We wait.

It appears that VW plans to standardize their battery packs. Chinese producers will aid in the process and provide battery packs for all VW electric vehicles.

Fleet Testing

March of 2012 brings fleet testing to the California bay area. Twenty Golf Blue e-Motion prototypes have been fielded to provide data on day to day driving. No word on planned production other than a Golf PHEV planned for production in 2015.

The VW electric car will soon be here. First up is the E-UP!, followed by the Golf blue-e-motion and e-Bugster.

The latest in the EV lineup from VW is the e-Bugster convertible car. The new drop top comes with an 85 kW (114 hp) motor and 23.3 kWh Li-Ion battery pack. Performance is given as 0-100
kph (0-60mph) in 10.8 sec. Range is 110 miles or 180 km. The car has been shown in Beijing.

VW Makes Big Sales in China

VW is doing big business in VW, claiming a whopping 20 percent of China car sales making up nearly 30 percent of total VW sales. The company delivered some 2.25 million cars in China last year. Globally VW sold 8.2 million units in 2011 with revenue of $262 Billion USD.

VW Electric Car