Volkswagen has revealed that the next generation of its classic Golf model will be an electric vehicle (EV), and that the internal combustion engine (ICE) version will be phased out once the present generation has served its course. This decision is part of Volkswagen’s larger transition to electric vehicles, as the company wants to sell solely electric cars in Europe by 2033, ahead of the European Union’s 2035 ban on internal combustion vehicles.
Volkswagen has revealed that the next generation of its classic Golf model will be an electric vehicle (EV), and that the internal combustion engine (ICE) version will be phased out once the present generation has served its course. This decision is part of Volkswagen’s larger transition to electric vehicles, as the company wants to sell solely electric cars in Europe by 2033, ahead of the European Union’s 2035 ban on internal combustion vehicles.
The Golf has been Volkswagens most iconic and popular vehicle for nearly half a century and is one of the best-selling cars in history, with over 35 million units sold through 2019. It is a true symbol of the automotive industry, and its imminent transition to an all-electric engine will represent a major turning point in the growth of the industry.
Ten New EVs by 2026
VW has said that it will retain the Golf name for its future electric cars, the first of which is expected to debut in 2028. Also, the corporation has announced that it would release ten new electric vehicles by 2026, including a battery-electric vehicle priced at less than 25,000 euros ($7,500).
The Golf name has immense prestige, and it is evident that VW wishes to preserve this value. According to Thomas Schafer, the current head of the VW brand, changing the name to something altogether new would not make sense.
Reluctance on the future of the Golf name
Volkswagen’s decision to retire the gasoline-powered Golf and switch to an all-electric powertrain signifies a major step in the industry’s progression toward electrification. The Golf has been a staple of Volkswagen’s range for over half a century, and its shift to an all-electric engine will be a key turning point in the growth of the industry.
Volkswagen’s refusal to invest in Golf upgrades over decades. The best-selling vehicle in Europe is indicative of the automaker’s investment shift from retooling combustion engines to reducing the price of electric vehicles. VW aims for electric vehicle sales of 80% in Europe, 55% in North America, and 50% internationally by 2030.
Substantial Investment in Transit to Electric Vehicles
VW is making substantial investments in its charging infrastructure to assist the transition to electric vehicles, in addition to converting the Golf to an all-electric car. The company intends to deploy 18,000 public charging stations in Europe by 2025, and another 3,500 in North America. This investment will make electric vehicle ownership more accessible to consumers and support Volkswagen’s aim of reaching 80 percent electric sales in Europe by 2030.
VW is not alone in its transition to electric vehicles; numerous other automakers are also making substantial expenditures in this area. The move to electric vehicles will contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and the improvement of urban air quality, a key issue for many governments throughout the globe.