Volkswagen is aiming to achieve the difficult goal of an entry-level electric vehicle with its ID. EVERY1 concept car.

      Volkswagen AG

      Volkswagen aims to make electric vehicles accessible to a wider audience with its new cost-effective EV concept. The ID. EVERY1 is set to debut in Europe with a price tag of just €20,000 (approximately $21,500), potentially becoming the primary choice for entry-level EV buyers. This compact four-door hatchback was introduced as a concept vehicle, with full production slated for 2027. The EVERY1 will be accompanied by another budget-friendly model, the ID 2all, which will be launched next year at €25,000 ($27,000), and Volkswagen has committed to revealing up to nine new models by 2027.

      "The ID. EVERY1 is the final component in our quest to provide the most comprehensive model range in the volume market. We aim to ensure every customer finds the perfect vehicle with the appropriate drive system, including competitively priced all-electric options," remarked Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars.

      Volkswagen has encountered a significant decline in sales recently, especially in Europe and China. However, if they successfully offer the long-sought affordable EV, it could turn the tide as more European drivers are interested in electric cars. The availability of the ID. EVERY1 in the US market, however, is still uncertain.

      The ID. EVERY1 is expected to utilize Rivian software and includes architecture that Volkswagen has hinted at, although it hasn't been explicitly named. TechCrunch reports that Volkswagen insiders have confirmed the utilization of Rivian architecture as part of a $5.8 billion collaborative venture established last year.

      In terms of the vehicle’s appearance, it is designed to be enjoyable and attractive, featuring smooth curves on its boxy form and a wide rear. "We aspired to create something bold yet approachable," stated Andreas Mindt, Head of Design at Volkswagen. "The ID. EVERY1 presents a confident demeanor while remaining likable, thanks to elements like its dynamic front lights and 'smiling' rear. These design characteristics lend it a personality and identity that people can connect with."

      Georgina has served as a space writer at Digital Trends for six years, focusing on human space exploration and planetary topics.

      Can EVs handle off-road conditions? We put the VW ID.4 to the test!

      A sudden thud catches my attention as the ID.4 lands on the arid desert ground, stirring up a cloud of fine dust ahead of another jump. Expecting a front-end scrape that doesn't occur, I remind myself as I press the accelerator—if this EV can endure the grueling NORRA Mexican 1000, it should manage whatever I throw at it.

      I'm at the Soggy Dry Lake off-road recreation area, located an hour north of Palm Springs, California, and I imagine I'm pushing an EV beyond its limits. However, I'm not really. Volkswagen has provided me with two specially modified ID.4s and a 1969 Beetle to navigate the desert, demonstrating that EVs can be competent off-road vehicles while showing that Baja Beetles, while still excellent, feel clumsy compared to modern models. All three vehicles effortlessly tackle the rugged terrain, and the dust they kick up is no match for their performance. From what I can see, my driving style and concerns do not seem to faze any of them.

      Volkswagen's electric ID.Life concept car also serves as a gaming console.

      One significant obstacle for electric cars remains their cost. Generally, they are pricier than similar gasoline-powered vehicles. Volkswagen is determined to make EVs more affordable in the near future and has showcased a nimble, city-friendly concept named ID.Life at the 2021 Munich auto show to illustrate its vision.

      Volkswagen is focusing on a compact design: the ID.Life measures 161.6 inches in length, 72.6 inches in width, and 63 inches in height. To put it in perspective, it's slightly longer and narrower than a Hyundai Venue. The vehicle features a clean, simple exterior design that blends hatchback and crossover styles. Users have the option to remove the roof panel—which can also be customized—turning the ID.Life into a quasi-convertible.

      Volkswagen is putting a modern twist on its classic ID.Buzz van with a high-tech touch from Argo AI.

      Volkswagen is collaborating with Argo AI, based in Pittsburgh, to develop an autonomous version of the ID.Buzz, an electric van with a nostalgic design set to debut in the following years. Revealed at the 2021 Munich auto show, the prototype is equipped with numerous cameras, lidar, and radar sensors.

      It's clear that the ID.Buzz AD is intended to be autonomous, as its hardware is prominently displayed: Argo AI's lidar is notably positioned on the roof of the van, enabling it to survey the road ahead. Bryan Salesky, founder and CEO of Argo AI, indicated that the lidar can detect objects