Volkswagen's Midsized Electric SUV Is On Its Way
Andrew Koole
· 4 min read
Volkswagen’s line of
electric vehicles
is growing. Herbert Diess, the chairman of the company’s board, recently announced the ID.8, a new electric SUV the size of the Volkswagen Atlas that will join the ID.4 on Volkswagen’s roster.Like most automakers, Volkswagen has many electrification plans for the future. Six factories are in the works to build the company’s EV lineup. Although the company discontinued the e-Golf for the U.S. in 2020, its ID family is just getting started.
Since 2017, Volkswagen fans have eagerly awaited the ID BUZZ
microbus
, which is set for release in 2024. The microbus and its siblings are part of a strategy to transition away from gas power by 2040, become the largest EV supplier in the world, and reach carbon neutrality as a company by 2050.
The Volkswagen ID.8: the specs
The Atlas is still a relatively new model for Volkswagen, but with the trend toward SUVs continuing to grow in the U.S., it’s not surprising that the German company chose a midsize sport-utility vehicle as the second instalment of their new electrified family.
We’re still mostly in the dark on specific details about the ID. 8, but based on the soon to be released ID.4,
Car and Driver
expects a similar 201-hp powertrain with a range of roughly 250 miles, though the ID.8’s larger size may lower that number a bit.Other aspects of the vehicle like its infotainment system and interior design will likely also match that of the ID.4: a standard 10.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ambient lighting, and other high-tech features. Cargo space will likely grow from the already generous proportions in the ID.4.
MORE: Volkswagen Plans to Implement Pay-Per-Use Car Technology
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The auto industry’s move to EV
Volkswagen isn’t the only car company with bold plans for their EV fleets. Most major automakers have announced aggressive strategies within the last year.
These "legacy" brands all have their targets set on Tesla, which currently controls almost 80% of the U.S. EV market, according to
Electrek
. Startups like Rivian and tech companies like Google are also vying for space in the burgeoning industry.Buying into Volkswagen’s ID family
MORE: EVs Will Start To Take Over Sooner Than You Expect
Whether you’re waiting with baited breath for the ID.Buzz to arrive or the ID.4 or 8 are more your style, Volkswagen just might be your window into the EV revolution.
No matter the brand, transitioning off fossil fuels and onto the grid is getting easier every year. Most fully electric cars still cost around $40,000, but Toyota and Hyundai have already dipped below that marker with their plug-in hybrid models, and automakers are promising lower prices in the coming years as well.
And once you have an EV in the garage, there are many ways to keep the cost of ownership down. Buying an electrified car also gives you access to government subsidies and insurance discounts, and maintaining and charging your EV is much cheaper than fixing and filling up gas-powered vehicles.
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