Volkswagen is gearing up to introduce its most budget-friendly electric vehicle (EV). The concept car is scheduled to debut in March, paving the way for a production model launch in 2027.
[UPDATE] Ahead of the concept’s debut on March 5th, Volkswagen has released two design sketches that give a glimpse of the upcoming EV. VW’s move comes nearly two years after unveiling the ID.2all concept, which offered a preview of a €25,000 ($26,000) EV. While the ID.2all’s production is set for next year, VW is already generating anticipation for a more affordable option.
Although the yet-unnamed EV is launching in 2027, a teaser provides a clear indication of its design. VW has promised a starting price of approximately €20,000 ($20,800) when sales begin. It’s still undetermined whether it will be called ID.1 or something else. However, as reported by Carmoses, VW filed to trademark “ID.EVERY1” with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The road-going model is expected to be called ID.1.
Volkswagen originally planned to co-develop the ID.1 with Renault. However, the two automakers decided to end their partnership last year. Renault has since previewed the reborn Twingo, an electric city car slated to go on sale in 2026, roughly a year before the ID.1. In May 2024, Renault CEO Luca de Meo described the collaboration’s failure as a “lost opportunity.”
Like VW’s compact EV, the new Twingo will be priced at around €20,000. The ID.1 will share mechanical components with the ID.2, utilizing the MEB Small platform. Unlike the standard MEB platform used for the ID.3 and larger EVs, the MEB Small platform will be primarily engineered for front-wheel drive cars. Although battery sizes haven’t been disclosed, the ID.2all has an estimated WLTP range of 280 miles (450 kilometers). It takes approximately 20 minutes to charge the battery from 10% to 80%.
During a recent meeting with factory employees in Wolfsburg, VW showcased the ID.1, which Thomas Schäfer, the company’s CEO, hyped up the car by saying: “An affordable, high-quality, and profitable electric Volkswagen from Europe for Europe—that’s the Champions League of automotive engineering!”
