MUNICH (Chatnewstv.com) — Volkswagen Group on Monday announced plans to launch a family of small electric cars in 2026, strengthening its position as Europe’s leading EV manufacturer and aiming for a 20% market share in the segment.
The “Electric Urban Car Family” will include four models — two from Volkswagen, one from CUPRA, and one from Škoda — with starting prices of around 25,000 euros ($27,000). The vehicles will be built on the company’s upgraded MEB+ electric platform and feature Volkswagen’s new unified battery cell for the first time, offering ranges of up to 450 kilometers (280 miles).
“This day is a milestone in our successful e-mobility strategy,” said Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume. “In August, the Volkswagen Group delivered its 3.5 millionth all-electric vehicle, more than 2.5 million of which are based on our MEB platform. Now we ignite the next stage. The Electric Urban Car Family stands for a new beginning, accessibility, and progress.”
Blume said the initiative reflects the company’s core promise: “Mobility for all. From Europe for Europe. Volkswagen delivers.”
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand and Brand Group Core, said the models would bring premium features from higher segments into the entry-level class. “From the new Travel Assist with lane change function and traffic light recognition to standard fast charging and the smartphone as a car key — this is the future of urban electric mobility, and it starts right here,” Schäfer said.
Volkswagen projects that the European market for small EVs will quadruple over the next eight years. With its new lineup, the company expects to sell several hundred thousand units annually.
The four models — Volkswagen’s ID. Polo hatchback, ID. CROSS SUV, CUPRA’s Raval hatchback, and Škoda’s Epiq SUV — were unveiled at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. The ID. Polo GTI will also mark the first all-electric model to carry the iconic GTI badge.
The vehicles will come with advanced driver assistance systems, connectivity features, and comfort options such as app-based pre-conditioning and massage seats. All will support DC fast charging as standard.
At the IAA showcase, Volkswagen highlighted its innovations in battery technology, artificial intelligence, and mobility design, underscoring its ambition to remain a global leader in automotive technology.
