• Entry-level EV teased; likely ID.1 will start under $21,000 in Europe
• Nine new models by 2027, including ID.2all, electric Golf, electric T-Roc crossover
• Volkswagen hasn’t confirmed if any of those EVs are U.S.-bound

The big future that Volkswagen sees for its core brand brings it back to its roots: affordable small cars—at least for Europe. 

On Wednesday, VW confirmed plans for an entry-level, fully electric small car starting at less than $21,000 (around 20,000 euros), due in 2027. While it gave employees a first look at the model, VW announced that it will be showing this entry EV to the public at the beginning of March. 

The small EV, widely expected to be called ID.1, was pitched by Volkswagen Passenger Cars CEO Thomas Schäfer as “an affordable, high-quality, and profitable electric Volkswagen from Europe for Europe.” 

The likely ID.1, which even from the teaser photo above appears to channel some heritage from the successful Up—and fully electric e-Up—city car, will fit in its EV lineup next to the production version of the VW ID.2all, which comprises a small-car family that represents the evolution of VW’s MEB foundation for affordable EVs and is set for a 2026 introduction with a starting price under $26,000 (25,000 euros). 

Volkswagen ID.2all concept

Volkswagen ID.2all concept

Volkswagen ID.2all concept

In all, VW plans nine new models by 2027, including the ID.2all and entry-level EV. so it’s unclear whether this model might see other markets like North America as also within its lens. Green Car Reports has reached out to Volkswagen of America for some context—and especially whether the recent cancellation of the ID.7 is any indication U.S. EV products will go in the same affordable direction. 

VW didn’t confirm where these new European models would be built—Spain is the likely location, based on reports—but it did say it would keep its home Wolfsburg plant the core of VW as it shifts to EVs. That means shifting Golf production to Mexico to make room at Wolfsburg for a next-generation electric Golf and upcoming electric T-Roc crossover. 

In 2019 VW envisioned a much higher volume for its EVs, targeting 15 million EVs across 50 EV models globally by 2028 with a strong focus on Europe, North America, and China, plus a second wave of models providing even more growth. 

VW said Wednesday that globally it has sold more than 1.35 million ID vehicles since it introduced the product family in 2019, and last year it reached 383,100 EV sales.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group electrical architecture and software stack

As of yet VW’s progress has been hindered by an array of issues, ranging from supply chain and software issues to a Chinese market landscape that’s evolved to favor local EV makers. But a recent $5.8 billion investment and joint venture with Rivian extending to electrical architecture and software may help ease the way in future mass-market EVs, including small cars.