Volkswagen’s ‘affordable’ electric car for 2026: New ID.2 supermini breaks cover – but just how cheap will it be? – EQ Mag

• ID.2all has been revealed and previews the car to replace – or be an EV alternative – to the Polo supermini

• It will hit showrooms in 2026 as part of Volkswagen’s promise to launch 10 new electric models in three years

• German car giant promises a starting price undercutting all existing rivals as it attempts to expand its line-up

With expensive upfront prices one of the major stumbling blocks preventing motorists switching to electric cars, Volkswagen has given the world a glimpse of what an ‘affordable’ battery-powered supermini will look like within three years.

The ID.2all concept was unveiled in Germany last night as a preview for its forthcoming ID.2 crossover, with the manufacturer claiming it will cost less than all existing rivals when it hits showrooms in 2026.

Likely to be a replacement or electric alternative to the Polo supermini – which currently starts from £19,505 for the cheapest petrol version – Volkswagen bosses say the new EV will have a 280-mile range and a top speed of 99mph.

The cheapest version of the new compact crossover will cost no more than €25,000 – that’s £22,000 – when it eventually hits the market in less than three years.

The concept shown in Hamburg on Wednesday evening previews the forthcoming addition to VW’s expanding ‘ID’ electric car line-up as the German car giant continues its shift away from combustion engines in a bid to repair its reputation following the diesel emission scandal that erupted in 2015.

If launched to the market today, it would go up against compact EVs rivals including the Peugeot e-208, Renault Zoe and Vauxhall Corsa-e.

The concept shown in Hamburg on Wednesday evening previews the forthcoming addition to VW’s expanding ‘ID’ electric car line-up as the German car giant continues its shift away from combustion engines in a bid to repair its reputation following the diesel emission scandal that erupted in 2015.

It promises to bring the option of EV ownership to more drivers, though not quite the masses.

With a price tag below £22,000 for a compact car, it will still be a stretch for many drivers’ budgets.

However, it will dramatically undercut most EVs on the market today, with just five fully-electric cars on the market today priced below £30,000: the Fiat 500, Mini Electric, Nissan Leaf, MG4 EV and Renault Zoe.

It is described by VW as a ‘full-value electric vehicle for every day of the year,’ with the practical benefits of a range of almost 300 miles.

The shortened MQB platform can accept two different battery sizes. These are a 38kWh – which is the version that will cost less than £22,000 – and a larger 56kWh unit that offers the longest range of 280 miles.

At 4,050mm long, the ID.2all concept is marginally shorter than the Polo supermini currently in VW showrooms.

However, its 2,600mm wheelbase is significantly longer thanks to the wheels being closer to all four corners as a result of the battery pack being installed in the chassis floor.

This translates to increased interior space over combustion-engined rivals in the small car segment.

It also had a cavernous 440-litre boot, which is 100 litres more than you get in the current Golf family hatchback.

Fold the rear backrests flat and make use of an additional storage compartment (likely under the bonnet), and the ID.2all has a van-like luggage capacity of 1,330 litres.

Power from the battery is sent to the front wheels via a 226hp e-motor.

Bosses claim it be able to accelerate from zero to 62mph in less than seven seconds, though the top speed will be limited to 99bhp to prevent speeding drivers from draining its battery pack rapidly.

While most owners will likely charge at home using a wallbox up to 11kW, a quick stop at a rapid charging device will see the battery replenished from 10 to 80 per cent charge in around 20 minutes.

Kai Grünitz, member of the board of management overseeing model development, said: ‘The production version of the ID. 2all will be a full-value electric vehicle for every day of the year.

‘A typical Volkswagen with sufficient space and a long range so that the destination can be reached without problems, even on long journeys.

‘Thanks to the extremely variable MEB platform, our customers will also benefit from state-of-the-art technologies in the price class around 25,000 euros.’

Away from the pricing headlines, the ID.2all concept – which will sit under the ID.3 hatchback in Volkswagen’s electric car line-up – also previews the future design language for the brand.

This is part of an overall objective to ‘make Volkswagen a genuine Love Brand,’ according to CEO Thomas Schäfer.

Part of this philosophy is incorporating styling and features from iconic VW models of the past, with the ID.2all’sssover shape evoking influences from hatchbacks of yesteryear – notably the Mk1 Golf’s C-pillar shape.

At the front, bosses describe it as having ‘upwardly rising elements’ in the bumper and grille design. This is to ‘create a confident smile’.

Inside, the concept car features a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen that can also be controlled by a twist dial wheel in the centre console.

It also gets a separate air-conditioning control panel for ease of use, meaning motorists can adjust the climate settings without needing to fumble through the touchscreen’s sub menus.

Other cabin highlights include a steering wheel design free of a cluttering of control buttons, a pair of wireless charging pads for smartphones and a 10.9-inch digital cockpit screen with a head-up display.

In terms of new features promised for the production car, VW bosses claim it will come with its latest advancement, including Travel Assist and Park Assist.

Some trim levels will also get massaging electric seats and a panoramic sunroof.

While only a concept for now, the production version of the ID.2 is scheduled to be revealed in 2025, with assembly most likely to take place in Spain.

It will be one of ten new EVs Volkswagen intends to unveil before 2026, which includes three cars we already know are on the horizon – the just-launched ID.3 facelift, a bigger version of the ID.Buzz MPV and the ID.7 saloon previewed earlier this year.

There are rumours that the German marque is developing an even smaller EV model – likely to replace the Up! city car – that it hopes can enter the market with a price starting from under €20,000, which is around £17,600.

Source: PTI