EVs need 290km range to become popular, says VW boss

The "tipping point" for sales of Volkswagen’s new range of electric vehicles (EVs) to become popular family cars will be a range of 180 to 280 miles (290 to 450 km), according to VW global sales and marketing boss Jürgen Stackmann.

Speaking at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Stackmann told Autocar that electric car range anxiety is going to 'go away', while affordability will improve, putting EVs in a position to challenge petrols and diesels as everyday family cars.

He also revealed that a battery capacity of 60kWh would be needed to achieve VW's range target.

“We will have to make this change, because all regulations are aiming at zero emissions eventually," he said.

Pricing of the VW's electric cars will have to fit within its brand position of targeting the ‘ambitious middle-class’, a global group whose spending power varies globally. Typically in the US, this market is centred around cars costing $35,000 (Rs 23.6 lakh), while in the EU it's $28,000 (Rs 18.9 lakh) and Brazil $12,000 (Rs 8.1 lakh).

To deliver this dramatic strategic switch, VW Group is developing an all-new electric car platform, named MEB. This will underpin up to 30 models from all Volkswagen Group brands by 2025–2030. The group's brand portfolio includes VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti.

The dramatic predicted growth for electrified VW models is such that Stackmann predicts they might contribute a similar proportion of sales to today’s 45% mix of diesels. Petrols make up the other 55%.

“The electric mix could basically become the same as diesel today. There will still be a role for diesels, but for vehicles favoured by drivers on long-distance journeys. Diesel will remain a strong part of the offering, particularly for long-distance driving. But there could be the case of a market segment where we only have petrol and electric and no diesel,” he said.