The shift towards electrified cars is primarily driven by the stringent emissions regulations that are scheduled to come into effect in coming years, according to Automotive News. The company explains it will reach its ambitious goal by introducing no less than 20 battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models by the year 2020. That figure includes brand new models, and updated versions of existing cars.
The offensive will kick off later this year when Volkswagen presents an updated version of the e-Golf fitted with a new, bigger battery pack. The drivetrain is still being fine-tuned, but engineers expect that the electric compact will be able to drive for up to 125 miles on a single charge, a generous improvement over the 90 miles achieved by the current model.
The e-Golf will be joined by an array of additional battery-electric models before the end of the decade. Volkswagen is in the early stages of developing a modular platform similar to its MQB architecture designed specifically to underpin electric vehicles. Called MEB internally, the platform was previewed earlier this year by the Budd-e concept that debuted at the CES show in Las Vegas.
Interestingly, another one of Volkswagen’s upcoming green cars will allegedly take the form of a compact hatchback powered by a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Tentatively called XL3, the gasoline-electric model will be aimed squarely at the Toyota Prius and the recently introduced Hyundai Ioniq.
Read more: Volkswagen’s 2017 Golf Alltrack is half crossover, half station wagon
That’s just the beginning; Volkswagen’s other brands are going green, too. Audi is working on turning the e-tron quattro concept into a production model that will take on Tesla’s Model X. Meanwhile, Porsche is making the well-received Mission E concept (pictured) a reality. The final model will remain close to the concept, meaning it will boast an 800-volt drivetrain, and it will fight in the same segment as the Tesla Model S.
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