Citing versatility and a desire to broaden offerings to customers, VW is introducing an electric version of their popular Golf coupe in late 2013.
The electric car market has, of yet, been somewhat tepid in the United States since more automakers have offered electric car selections in their roster- but the entry of VW’s electric Golf could have an interesting effect on consumer interest in hybrids and electric cars as a whole.
According to DailyTech , the sleek little coupe is not VW’s first foray into the realm of electric vehicles, as the maker has “introduced a few hybrids and electric concepts in the recent past, including the 2012 Passat TDI, which offers 31 mpg city and 43 mpg highway, and the electric concept version of the E-Up!, which has an 18 kWh lithium-ion battery pack offering a driving range of 62 miles.” (But an electric VW Golf is no small bit cooler than a Chevy Volt.)
The site also notes that VW has been more sluggish than one might expect in bringing electric models to market, citing a commitment to making diesel vehicles as a nod to fuel economy concerns. VW of America president Jonathan Browning said of the decision to offer vehicles like the electric Golf among their other, stock standard diesel options:
“It’s a fundamental part of our powertrain strategy, but sometimes it’s good to be a little more steady in terms to the approach to the market.”
It’s likely that the VW electric Golf will roll out in smaller markets before availability opens up nationwide, and are expected to be 2014 models released in the fourth quarter of 2013.
