VW Brand CEO: No new combustion engine small cars

In the small car segment, Volkswagen will no longer offer vehicles with gasoline or diesel engines in the future. This is according to Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer in an interview with the magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

"The future in this segment is electric"

Schäfer said in the interview that Volkswagen will offer "fully electric vehicles across all vehicle segments for the first time" with the ID. Polo and ID. Cross from 2026 and the ID. Every1 from 2027. All three of these models are based on the new MEB+ platform. This was first mentioned in 2023 and is a further development of the Group's Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB).

The MEB+ platform potentially offers more range (up to 700 km), higher charging power (175 to 200 kW), more affordable battery technology (Cell-to-Pack) with LFP cells (lithium iron phosphate), and improved efficiency. Furthermore, the new platform enables e-vehicles with entry-level prices below 25,000 euros.

The upcoming e-models in the small car segment mean "attractive alternatives to combustion engines with good range and a great driving experience" for customers, Schäfer said. "Offering new models with gasoline engines in the Polo class and below again makes no sense considering future emissions regulations." The combustion engine counterparts would be too expensive due to the European Union's stricter regulations for emissions reduction. "The future in this segment is electric," said the VW brand CEO.

Schäfer also clarified that the Wolfsburg-based automaker will continue to develop and build models with combustion engines and full hybrids in the upper segments. The company is still in the midst of transformation, and the automaker also commented positively on the end of the combustion engine ban, which in practice would likely have little consequence in terms of the advance of electromobility anyway. Schäfer also sees no future for hydrogen as an alternative to electric drives: for the volume segment, this is a "sham discussion." There isn't enough green hydrogen, and the fuel cell is far too expensive – the technology is also not efficient.

Own batteries from Salzgitter – first for ID. Polo

The extent to which VW is focusing on electromobility is shown, for example, by the opening of its own factory for battery cells by the group subsidiary PowerCO SE in Salzgitter. The self-developed and produced cells are intended to make Volkswagen financially and technologically more independent of purchased storage. From 2026, the batteries will be installed in cars of the Volkswagen Group's "Electric Urban Car Family" – VW, Skoda, and Cupra. Complete independence from suppliers is not yet planned in this area for now; the goal is to cover about half of the in-house demand. The first batteries from Salzgitter will be installed in the electric small cars VW ID. Polo and Cupra Raval, which will be manufactured in Spain from 2026.

(afl)