Weak Emission Zero Regulation In Europe, VW Delays Affordable EV Production

The concept of electric cars is affordable for Volkswagen ID.2all. (Doc. Volkswagen AG)

JAKARTA - Volkswagen (VW) recently revealed a version of the ID.2all concept, which is claimed to be an affordable electric vehicle (EV) in Europe. However, the manufacturer appears to be delaying the full production of this model until May 2026.

The German manufacturer, along with other companies, has decided to no longer sell small cars with internal combustion engines (ICE) by the end of the decade due to strict Euro 7 regulations. However, these regulations have weakened following an agreement from the European Union (EU).

According to an Automotive News report, Friday, January 5, EU countries have agreed not to change the Euro 6 regulations and emission limits on four-wheeled and van vehicles. This means cars with internal combustion engines (ICE) will continue to be sold in the near future.

In response to this change, the company plans to delay production of ID.2all amid a reshuffle by VW CEO Thomas Schaefer against production of car assembly in Europe to reduce costs.

Schaefer stated that only 80 percent of the estimated maximum sales volume of the new model is planned to enter the production phase. For example, if the sales division estimates it will sell 150,000 new units of the model per year, then the company will produce as many as 170,000 vehicles.

"We will apply this to all future models and have planned it as part of the factory's allocation," said Schaefer.

Although production will only begin in the second quarter of 2026, VW still plans to introduce a version of ID.2all production by 2025 and produce it on a small scale before entering mass production a year later.

With this delay, VW lags slightly behind its competitor, Stellantis, who first introduced an affordable electric car, the latest generation Citroen e-C3, at prices ranging from 23,300 euros, or around Rp386.7 million.

In contrast, VW is based in Wolfsburg, Germany, projecting ID.2all at a price of under 25,000 euros or equivalent to IDR 387.5 million.