- Volkswagen E-Golf will go on sale in 2013.
- VW aims to sell 10,000 electric vehicles in China between 2014 and 2018.
- EV production slated at joint ventures with SAIC and FAW.
SHENZHEN, China — Volkswagen aims to sell 10,000 electric vehicles in China between 2014 and 2018, and is considering EV production with local partners SAIC and FAW, including a unique model developed specifically for the China market.
News of VW's EV plans for China was revealed Monday by VW China President Karl-Thomas Neumann at an EV symposium here.
"There is a very strong argument that electric cars are the right move for China, although there are still many challenges," Neumann told the conference. "China is making huge investments in renewable energy."
The Chinese government is providing incentives to consumers of up to $9,000 to encourage the purchase of EVs and other "new energy" vehicles, including hybrids.
VW expects to begin testing its battery-powered Golf Blue e-motionnext year in China, and could produce and sell a version of the car in that country as early as 2013, Neumann said. VW displayed the so-called e-Golf and a companion model, the e-Lavida sedan, at the Shenzhen conference.
The e-Golf is powered by 26.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor with a maximum power output of 114 horsepower and a continuous power output of 67 hp, providing a driving range of up to 93 miles. Top speed is 86 mph, with 0-60-mph acceleration in less than 11.8 seconds.
Inside Line says: With Beijing's full support, expect Chinese automakers and their multinational partners to build a formidable lead in EVs by 2020. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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