VW's €28,000 Electric SUV Aims to Make EVs Affordable

Getting into an electric SUV just became thousands of euros easier for European drivers.

Volkswagen unveiled the ID. Cross this month, a compact electric SUV that starts at €28,000 (about $30,600) in Germany. That's nearly €19,000 cheaper than the larger ID.4, making it the most affordable electric SUV in VW's lineup.

The timing couldn't be better. Electric vehicles now make up over 21% of all car sales across Europe through May 2024. One in five new cars sold in the European Union during the first five months of the year was fully electric, the highest share ever recorded.

The ID. Cross proves that affordable doesn't mean basic. Despite its compact size at just over 13 feet long, the electric-only design creates surprisingly roomy interiors with more cargo space than gas-powered competitors.

Buyers can choose between two battery options. The standard 37 kWh battery delivers 196 miles of range, while the larger 52 kWh pack stretches that to 271 miles on a single charge. Both recharge from 10% to 80% in about 23 minutes at fast charging stations.

VW listened to customer frustrations about overly digital controls. The ID. Cross brings back physical buttons for climate control, volume adjustment, and window switches. The steering wheel features traditional buttons instead of finicky touch controls that plagued earlier models.

The crossover comes with three power options ranging from 114 to 208 horsepower. Higher trim levels offer premium touches like 12-way power seats with massage functions and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

The Bright Side

Europe's electric vehicle momentum shows no signs of slowing, and affordable options like the ID. Cross are helping more families make the switch. VW isn't stopping here either. The company plans to launch an even cheaper €20,000 electric car called the ID. Every1 in 2027.

The shift toward accessible electric vehicles means cleaner air for cities and more choices for drivers who want to go electric without breaking the bank. As battery technology improves and production scales up, the price gap between gas and electric vehicles continues to shrink.

Sales begin this fall across Europe, putting sustainable transportation within reach for millions more drivers ready to make the electric switch.