Automotive News Europe — 2026-04-10
Automotive Industry
Volkswagen brand is rolling out a new generation of affordable battery-electric vehicles built on its upgraded MEB+ platform, betting that lower prices, improved technology and familiar branding will help it fend off a fast-growing wave of Chinese rivals in Europe’s mass-market EV segment.
VW said its “Electric Urban Car Family” — including the ID Polo, ID Cross and ID3 Neo — debuts this year, forming the core of a broader push to make electric mobility more affordable and bring EV ownership within reach of entry-level buyers.
Prices for the ID Polo hatchback are expected to start at €24,995 in Germany, positioning it as one of the most accessible EVs from a major European manufacturer. The ID Cross SUV will start at €28,000.
Across the VW Group, sister brands are sharing the technology and targeting the same price-sensitive entry segment with closely aligned offerings. The Cupra Raval hatchback will start at about €26,000, undercutting rivals such as the Renault 5, which costs from €28,000 in Germany, and the Citroen e-C3 and BYD Dolphin Surf.
Skoda plans to position its Epiq small electric SUV at price parity with its combustion-engine Kamiq, reinforcing VW group’s push to align EV pricing with traditional entry-level vehicles.
Together with the VW ID Polo and ID Cross, the models share the MEB+ platform and illustrate a coordinated, multi-brand strategy to drive down costs and expand access to electric mobility in Europe’s most competitive small-car segment.
VW brand’s strategic reset
The launch of this new family of affordable electric passenger cars marks a strategic reset for the VW brand, which has a market share in Europe of just over 10 percent. The brand faces slowing EV demand in Europe, rising costs and intensifying competition from Chinese rivals such as BYD and SAIC-owned MG, both of which have gained traction with lower-priced offerings.