Electric vehicles have been an incredible advancement for the sustainability of the automotive industry, encouraging more and more drivers to opt for emission free vehicles that reduce harm towards the environment. However, the major drawback has been the exorbitant pricing which has unfortunately excluded many people. Thankfully that is changing with these new budget concept EVs.
Why EVs have been so expensive in the past
Although electric vehicles boast reduced costs in the long run with less maintenance to pay for, their upfront prices have historically been pretty exorbitant in comparison to traditional petrol cars. This is for a number of reasons, although the lithium-ion batteries make up the largest portion of the increased price.
The production of these batteries is very costly; it is a very resource intensive process and does lead to the larger price of vehicle. Other expenses include newer technology, less infrastructure for production, and have a more complex global supply chain due to the rare minerals they require.
Overall, EVs have simply just been more expensive to manufacturer, and therefore more expensive to buy. However, this company is changing the game and allowing a broader market of consumers to afford an EV, therefore widening the benefits that these sustainable cars can have on the world.
Volkswagen presents an affordable SUV electric vehicle
VW presents yet another concept EV car in their range of new small electric models that will hit mass production soon next year. While other brands’ concept cars have been flashier ((like this sleek Audi concept), VW’s latest model, the fourth in the series, is called their ID. CROSS Concept and forms part of their cross-brand campaign that aims to create entry-level vehicles that are attractive for more customers in terms of price.
Their concept models are using a modern design strategy, as Andreas Mindt, Head of Design at VW, describes:
“We call our new design language ‘Pure Positive’. It is based on our three design cornerstones of stability, likeability and secret sauce; it will characterise every new Volkswagen in the future. We rely on a pure and powerful clarity, along with visual stability and a positive, likeable vehicle personality. The lines and powerful surfaces on the ID. CROSS Concept are pure and clear. They shape an SUV that is a trend setter not a trend follower and one that transfers the brand’s identity into the future.”
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand explains their vision:
“The near-production concept car of the future ID. CROSS demonstrates that we are now truly delivering – with a new design, many technologies only seen in higher classes previously, improved operability and quality – and, at last, again the ‘right’ name. With this new Volkswagen generation, we are now delivering on our promises”.
Some key features of the ID. CROSS concept
This market-friendly SUV has some unique qualities that remain steadfast to the VW traditions, while also exhibiting the future of sustainable cars. The model comes in at 1,839mm wide and 1,588mm tall, similar to the VW T-Cross, and has a large boot space making it perfect for families.
Inside, comfort and calmness are emphasised, with a warm beige colour palette, warm light, sound and climate modes and a plant design element is shown throughout, with plant motifs on the screen and even real plants under the floating centre console. VW calls it an oasis, and they’re pretty spot on with their description.
First, they experimented with flex-fuels like this one, now they are broadening the market for EVs, VW is clearly living up to the ethos of their new generation of vehicles. Not only is the car suitable for families, unlike many other wild EV concepts, but the models aim to attract people from various classes, in order to broaden the market for sustainability, and not restrict it to the extremely wealthy only.
