VW Develops Electric Cars for the US

Volkswagen is working on a new electric model based on the recently-released E-Up!, especially destined for the United States, sources familiar with the matter said. However, the German brand doesn't have immediate plans to launch electric models in the country, Ulrich Hackenberg, board member in charge of product development at Volkswagen AG, was quoted as saying by autoweek.com.

Hackenberg said in a statement that production of the E-Up! electric vehicle concept will begin in 2013 for the European market and, in case there will be an US version of the car as well, production will only begin in the next few years.

"The reason we are working on an electric vehicle is the American market," he said in a statement.

The E-Up! is 3+1 seater fitted with an electric powertrain that develops 60 kW/80 hp (continuous power of 40 kW) and 210 Nm of torque. This means the electric concept is able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.3 seconds, while reaching 50 km/h in 3.5 seconds.

It relies on an 18 kWh lithium-ion battery that can be easily restored via a 230-Volt household outlet. Dimensions of the E-Up! are 3.19 meters (length) x 1.64 meters (width) x 1.47 meters (height). Its wheelbase is 2.19 meters.

"The E-Up! is characterized by a reduced, very clear and yet highly emotional design. The new concept is therefore very much in harmony with its stylistic ‘siblings’ of the New Small Family, the Roadster BlueSport and the new Polo," Klaus Bischoff, Chief Designer of Volkswagen Brand, said.