How Volkswagen is preparing to enter the market of electric vehicles series I. D.

In the Volkswagen showroom, near Wolfsburg, gathered about 5,000 dealers from all over Europe (Germany, Hungary, Austria) to witness the preparation of the company to enter the world market of electric vehicles from the series I. D. the Manufacturer wants to prepare its sales team for the era of electric mobility. The event was attended not only by dealers, but also by everyone who wants to get acquainted with the world of electric mobility.

Most of the information at the event remains confidential, as some electric vehicles presented in the showroom will not be released to the market for several years. Also, some details about vehicles and plans should remain confidential for reasons of competition, which is the norm at such events.

Volkswagen rarely so intensively prepared its sales partners to enter the market of a new car, but not in the case of the series I. D., electric vehicles which symbolizes the next generation of mobility: zero CO2 emissions, constant interaction between customers in the Volkswagen ecosystem.

In the exhibition hall near Wolfsburg dealers learned a lot of information about the launch of sales of compact electric hatchback I. D., which will begin to descend from the conveyor in Zwickau from the end of 2019. Prior to the start of production, customers will be able to pre-order the first I. D., making a new pre-booking.

Volkswagen dealers received answers to the eight most important questions about the new electric mobility:

1. What is the difference between electric cars I. D. from cars with classic internal combustion engines?
The Volkswagen I. D. series of electric vehicles is based on a completely new MEB architecture (modular matrix of the electric drive). The main drive system of the electric vehicle is integrated into the rear axle. The flat battery that replaces the fuel tank is in the floor of the electric car and has the shape of a chocolate bar. This design allows passengers to sit in electric vehicles higher than in cars with internal combustion engines. It can be said that the I. D. car is as big as the Golf, but offers as much interior space as the Passat, for example.

2. How far can I travel on I. D.?
Customers can be involved in determining the necessary power reserve for themselves. Even the smallest version with a rechargeable battery will provide a power reserve on a single charge of 330 km in the WLTP range. Customers will be able to order an I. D. with a larger capacity battery that will provide a power reserve of up to 550 km on a single charge.

3. Where can I charge my electric car?
Recent studies show that most people charge their electric cars at home or at work. It’s practical because it saves time. Volkswagen recently founded a new subsidiary of Elli, which will offer so-called wall-mounted charging stations “Volks-wallboxes” to charge electric cars at home just in time for the launch of I. D. These wall-mounted charging stations will allow drivers to fully charge their electric car overnight. For customers of the Volkswagen Group, requiring charging in the way, Elli will provide maps for charging, which can be used for energy by about 80 000 charging stations across Europe. The charging station will be located in front of supermarkets, furniture stores, dealers of Volkswagen and other places.

4. Can I take my I. D. on a long trip?
The joint venture IONITY with a number of automakers is already building a network of 400 fast charging stations along European highways. For example, someone traveling to Italy needs to plan only three short charging stops on the 1100 km route. After a coffee break for 20-30 minutes, the driver can continue the journey.

5. How about the fun of driving?
Electric cars are hard to overtake when it comes to acceleration. Added to this are new digital features that make the journey unforgettable, their salons are spacious and multifunctional, and a large legroom makes the journey more comfortable.

6. Electric car I. D. as a smartphone on wheels. What’s the meaning of that?
Like a smartphone, each customer can personalize the electric car I. D., choosing the battery, different elements of comfort and function. “Smartphone on wheels” or I. D. constantly connected to the Internet. Like the smartphone, it receives regular updates, so its software is always updated. Software update is possible at any time, which has a positive impact on the condition and cost of the car.

7. What electric cars will appear in addition to I. D.?
The compact electric I. D. hatchback is the first of the I. D. series, which will also include the I. D. BUZZ van, the I. D. CROZZ CROSSOVER and the I. D. VIZZION sedan. What they have in common is that all models will be based on the new MEB platform, which has been designed specifically for electrically driven cars. A much larger number of Volkswagen electric models will be available by 2025, among which 20 will be fully electric.

8. How does driving I. D. affect climate change?
Volkswagen I. D. will be fully electric. Thanks to its new subsidiary Elli, the brand will ensure high energy efficiency and use of clean energy at the production stage, including the supply chain.
Recall, Volkswagen will produce electric vehicles with minimal CO2 emissions at all stages of production.