Volkswagen launches cheaper ID. Polo EV as orders reach 25,000

Volkswagen opened pre-orders for the ID. Polo with the smaller 37 kWh battery, starting at under $30,000. The lower-priced model arrives after Volkswagen’s new EV received 25,000 orders weeks after it went on sale.

Volkswagen’s more affordable ID. Polo EV goes on sale

The ID. Polo is Volkswagen’s answer to Chinese EV brands like BYD and Chery, which are quickly stealing market share in the German automaker’s backyard.

After opening orders for the ID. Polo with the larger 52 kWh battery at the end of April, starting at 33,795 euros ($40,000), Volkswagen said the lower-priced, smaller-battery model would go on sale by the end of summer.

Volkswagen made good on its promise, opening pre-orders for the lower-priced ID. Polo with a 37 kWh battery in Europe earlier this month.

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The ID. Polo Trend with the 37 kWh battery is now on sale in Europe, starting at just 24,995 euros, or about $29,000, with a WLTP range of 207 miles (334 km).

The Life and Style variants are also available with the 37 kWh battery, starting from 29,195 euros ($33,500).

Volkswagen said the new lower-priced ID. Polo is designed for daily commutes, running errands, and city driving. With DC fast charging speeds of up to 90 kW, the ID. Polo with the 37 kWh battery can recharge from 10% to 80% in about 23 minutes.

The base Trend version includes standard safety and driver-assist features, including Side Assist and Lane Assist.

Like the larger battery ID. Polo, the entry-level model features Volkswagen’s new interior design. The setup includes a 10″ Digital Cockpit display and new 13″ Innovision infotainment screen, plus added physical buttons.

Upgrading to the Life trim adds features including Adaptive Cruise Control, a rear-view camera system, park distance control, and FronT-Cross Traffic Assist. It also gains an automatic “anti-dazzle” mirror and a wireless smartphone charger.

The range-topping Style trim comes with Volkswagen’s new IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, illuminated LED light strip, 3D taillight clusters, and illuminated VW badges up front and in the rear.

Measuring 4,053 mm in length, 1,816 mm in width, and 1,530 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm, the ID. Polo is around the same size as the gas-powered model, but the EV version offers “significantly better space utilization” thanks to its flat battery pack design.

The Volkswagen ID. Polo is available with three power outputs: 85 kW (114 hp), 99 kW (133 hp), and 155 kW (208 hp). A GTI hot hatch variant with 166 kW (223 hp) will go on sale this fall.

The 85 kW and 99 kW models use the smaller 37 kWh LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery, while the 155 kW variant uses a 52 kWh NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) battery.

The smaller 37 kWh battery offers a WLTP range of 207 miles (334 km), while the larger 52 kWh battery gets up to 282 miles (454 km).

Volkswagen’s electric Polo is also among its first vehicles to offer vehicle-to-load (V2L) as standard, enabling it to supply up to 3.6 kW to external devices, e-bikes, and more.

In the UK, the ID. Polo Launch Edition will go on sale on Thursday, July 30, starting at £25,555 ($34,000), on the road including VAT.

The standard Life model is set to launch on September 10, starting at £23,945 ($32,000). All 52 kWh 211 PS models are eligible for the £1,500 UK Government Electric Car Grant.

While the new smaller battery ID. Polo is now on sale, Volkswagen also opened orders for the ID. Cross, the electric counterpart to its best-selling T-Cross in Europe, this month. The VW ID. Cross starts at 27,995 euros, or about $32,000 in Germany.