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Volkswagen buys piece of solid-state battery startup

Volkswagen has bought a five-percent stake in battery startup QuantumScape. Confidential sources told Bloomberg that the Volkswagen Group plans to complete tests of QuantumScape’s technology by mid-2015, and is considering using it in VW, Porsche and Audi vehicles. Closely-held QuantumScape, founded in 2010 by former Stanford University researchers, is working on solid-state batteries, which it… Read more »

Volkswagen sees “great potential” in solid-state batteries

In a speech at Stanford University last week, Dr Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Volkswagen, said that he sees great potential in solid-state batteries, which could boost EV range to as much as 435 miles, representing a volumetric energy density of about 1,000 Wh/l. Replacing the traditional liquid electrolyte with a nonflammable inorganic… Read more »

Volkswagen announces pricing for e-Golf

Volkswagen has announced that the 2015 e-Golf will have a starting price of $35,445 (plus $820 destination charge) when it goes on sale in selected US states in November. The new EV will also lease for $299 per month. Prices for the competing Nissan LEAF range from $29,010 to $35,120; the Ford Focus Electric starts at… Read more »

Volkswagen Group announces plans for 40 more electrified models

The Volkswagen Group plans to electrify more than 40 models over the next few years. Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show, VW Chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn said that Europe’s largest automaker has increased its R&D expenditure to the record value of €10.2 billion, with the lion’s share going to “green” technologies. VW’s modular Baukästen (assembly… Read more »

Volkswagen Group France arranges for recycling of hybrid and EV batteries

Volkswagen Group France has signed a partnership agreement with the Société Nouvelle d’Affinage des Métaux (SNAM) that covers recycling of hybrid and EV batteries from the group’s brands – VW, Audi, SEAT and Škoda. SNAM (a subsidiary of the Floridienne Group) will be responsible for collecting both NiMH and Li-ion batteries from electric and hybrid… Read more »

Volkswagen plugs China in

As VW cautiously rolls out its electrified product line, it seems to see plenty of potential for plug-ins in China. The Volkswagen Group has five plug-in models ready for production, and four were on display at a press event in China this week. The four offerings spanned the price range, from the practical two-door VW… Read more »

Volkswagen launches E-Golf test fleet in the US

Volkswagen announced Tuesday that it will test 20 prototype E-Golf EVs over a nine-month period at several US locations. Some of the vehicles will go to Volkswagen employees, who will also receive 220-volt charging stations and iPhones with dedicated charging apps. The company hopes to gather valuable data on the effect of climate conditions, driving… Read more »

Volkswagen Golf goes PHEV in 2015

Volkswagen’s plug-in plans are starting to come into focus. The company announced last week that it will be selling a PHEV version of the Golf in 2015. British car mag AutoExpress got to test-drive a prototype, and called it “very impressive indeed.” The new hatchback will be on display at the Paris Motor Show this September. VW-watchers… Read more »

Volkswagen will start building EVs in China in 2014

Volkswagen’s two joint ventures in China plan to start building EVs in 2014 and to ramp up to mass production by 2018, its China chief said on Tuesday. He added that Volkswagen, which has partnerships with SAIC Motor Corp and FAW Group, would launch its first plug-in hybrid in China in 2015. Volkswagen’s Chinese plants… Read more »