VW's electric Golf will enter U.S. market in 2013
Volkswagen enters the increasingly crowded EV market and will offer an electric Golf in late 2013.
Volkswagen announced that its electric Golf Blue E-motion concept will become a reality. At the upcoming 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, the carmaker will show off the concept electric car it has been testing in Europe. But unless you're driving the vehicle or peeking under the hood, prepare to be underwhelmed--the Golf Blue E-motion is identical to the current gasoline-powered Golf. Of course, there are a few key differences: an 85 kW electric motor replaces the conventional Golf's 2.5-liter engine, and you have to store your groceries elsewhere because a 700 pound 26.5 kWh battery fills the concept cargo area. Like many EVs, the Golf Blue E-motion offers three driving modes to limit energy consumption and extend range. Recharging the e-Golf takes around 6 to 7 hours, according to a VW spokesperson.
With a full battery, the Golf Blue E-motion offers a range of 90-100 miles, similar to the upcoming Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-Miev, but the manufacturer expects the range capacity to increase by the time it hits the U.S. market in late 2013. The manufacturer will begin a testing program in the U.S., although no details have been released.