VW will launch Premium Golf ( ID.3 ) first. Not at €30K as first suggested but at €40K…. and a 160,000KM battery guarantee!

VW  say:

We will launch production of the ID.3 before the year is out. The compact-class model is the first member of the ID. family – a new generation of progressive electric vehicles whose lithium-ion batteries will allow for a range of up to 550 kilometres, making the models perfect for comfortable long journeys. The future owners of ID. models won’t need to worry about the durability of their batteries either, as Volkswagen will guarantee that the batteries will retain at least 70 per cent of their usable capacity even after eight years or 160,000 kilometres.

Silke Bagschik, head of sales and marketing for VW brand's electric vehicle line, said there had been internal discussions over which versions to launch first because "we said it would start with 30,000 euros and we went first with one for just under 40,000."

Bagschik said it would have been "wrong to go with a version with a shorter range and the lower equipment level."

In fact Tesla when they launched their Model 3 claimed that they would sell for a price of $35,000 but in fact sell for a minimum $39,000, a model ….I just got an email from Tesla saying that the Model 3 is now available and when I checked the prices offered ( all for Long Range Versions ) they were from €45680 to €46770 (£41818) to buy.

Back to VW…

After the ID3 debuts at the Frankfurt auto show in September, orders will begin in earnest for the 58-kilowatt-hour version that like the launch edition will be able to travel 480 km (298 miles) on one charge under WLTP. Then comes the base 47 kWh version Pure with 330 km.

"Customers can order [the base version] next year -- by the middle of next year at the latest," Bagschik said. The 77 kWh Range S with a 550-km range will go on sale last at a date yet to be announced.

…..and a battery guarantee

In a separate announcement VW also said that future owners of ID. models won’t need to worry about the durability of their batteries either, as Volkswagen will guarantee that the batteries will retain at least 70 per cent of their usable capacity even after eight years or 160,000 kilometres.