VW promises to make an electric car for Every1

They may be small in size but affordable, compact electric cars look to be the next big thing, VW confirming a cheaper model to slot in below the Polo-sized VW ID. 2All it has already announced. Called the ID. Every1, VW promises it will nail an eye-catching 20,000 euros starting price in Europe to make it even more affordable than the 25,000 euros of the ID. 2All. Pointedly, VW also boasts the ID. Every1 is “from Europe, for Europe” in a not especially subtle dig at the way rivals like the Dacia Spring and Leap Motor T03 exploit cheaper Chinese roots to hit their affordable price points. Handbags aside, let’s look at what the car will actually offer…
• If the ID. 2All as an equivalent to the current Polo the ID. Every1 is more like the Up! reborn in electric form • While officially a concept VW’s intent is clear - it’s already publishing hard facts like dimensions, boot volume and performance stats, after all • To those ends we already know it will have a 95 horsepower motor powering the front wheels, and range of over 150 miles • Size-wise it’s a fraction bigger than an Up! but quite a bit smaller than a Polo or ID. 2All • New software architecture offers future upgradeability, whether you’re the first owner or buying as a used car down the line – this won’t come free, mind • A lot can change before the release date of 2027 but VW looks committed to delivering the ID. Every1 for a starting price of 20,000 euros in its home market – we’ll have to see how that works out here

Only a couple of pictures so far but the ID. Every1 looks to replicate the simple, boxy charm of the Up! with a short but wide stance intended to free up as much interior space as possible. VW is keen to emphasise the friendliness of the looks, speaking of ‘smiling’ shapes on front and rear bumpers and headlights that twinkle invitingly as you approach the car. It also talks of three design ‘pillars’, summed up as stability, likeability and the ‘secret sauce’ of a flying roof concept. For those not fluent in car designer jargon this basically means a sculpted channel down the middle of the roof to break up the box-on-wheels vibes. Not actual sauce.

We’re pleased VW has committed to physical switches for heating, volume, mirror adjustment and other basic functions many rivals bury in screen menus and infuriating multi-purposed touch control surfaces. There is a large screen, but also compatibility with clip-in accessories like a table or tablet holder on the passenger side and portable Bluetooth speaker on the dash. Powering all this is a new generation of electrical architecture, to which you’ll be able to add features down the line. At a cost, no doubt. But the idea is you’ll be able to futureproof your ID. Every1 and keep it fresh and up to date, whether you’re the first owner or not.

Volkswagen is the master of developing multi-purpose ‘platforms’ that can then be used across all the brands in its stable for different types of car. Which is how the current ‘MEB’ electric foundations can power everything from the ID.3 to ID. Buzz in VW’s range, as well as a huge range of models from Skoda, Cupra and Audi. The ID. 2All and ID. Every1 use a new version of the same basic set-up, but with a front-mounted single motor. This promises 95 horsepower and a range of ‘over’ 155 miles.

We don’t know the UK price but – currency fluctuations aside – that European market 20,000 euros entry cost offers a sense, and looks competitive with similar small electric cars either already on sale or on the way soon. For context a Dacia Spring costs just shy of 17,000 euros in France but is slower way more basic and actually based on relatively old tech. VW says the ID. Every1 will be on sale in 2027, a year after the ID. 2All.

As above, all eyes will be on the ID. 2All but we’ll still have to wait until 2026 for that. Both models are crucial if VW is to reclaim the mainstream ‘People’s Car’ spirit its name alludes to, and the original Beetle achieved in such iconic style.

Making small, affordable electric cars profitable is a huge challenge manufacturers are addressing in a number of different ways, whether that’s joining forces with Chinese brands or sharing technology from bigger cars. The Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 are shameless about going as cheap as possible, but there are other more impressive options like the Hyundai Inster and Kia EV2 as well. Bottom line, if you wanted to go electric but felt like you’d been priced out of doing so thus far the tide could be about to turn.