Volkswagen Chairman Herbert Diess has revealed they have a new all-electric vehicle to show off at the Paris Motor Show. The said vehicle will have a range of 300 miles (500 kms) and will require just 15 mins to attain full charge, all this while costing less than a conventionally powered car, AutoCar reported.
That said, the company also stated they are aware how tall an ask that would be given the present charging and battery technologies available. For reference, the Tesla Model S needs about 4 hours for its batteries to regain 8o percent of their juice from a 240-volt source. Tesla Superchargers do better at topping up 50 percent of charge in 20 mins, which in turn allows for a run time of 115 to 126 miles, Engadget reported.
Under the circumstances, Volkswagen's self-proclaimed goal of providing for 300 miles of run time from just 15 mins of charging will need a charging outlet rated at no less than 800 volts.
The above also makes the presumed late 2018 or early 2019 window for the likely launch of the Volkswagen car a bit too optimistic. Perhaps that's the reason for VW Group CEO Matthias Müller to suggest the car should be ready only by 2025.
"Nobody can say when it will be a reality, but we are working on it," Müller said.
As for the car itself, it is projected to have the exterior dimensions of a Polo while being as roomy as the Passat. Diess also stated the production model will be very close to the concept to be exhibited at Paris. A special team comprising of hand-picked engineers have been briefed of the goals: to deliver a car as iconic and affordable as the Polo while having all it takes to run 500 kms from electric source alone that takes 15 mins to charge.
The development of the pure-electric car is in line with the company's "New Urban Vehicles" strategy of launching zero-emission car. This, the company hopes will reverse the drain its brand value the automaker suffered in the wake of the diesel-gate scandal. The new EV will also be accompanied by a SUV, a coupe, luxury sedan along with a Budd-e concept like van that was first shown off at the CES this year.
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