Volkswagen's first electric SUV, the ID.4, will include 3-years of free fast charging in the US
Volkswagen is betting big on its ID electric lineup, and for its first ever all-electric SUV, the VW ID.4, is going a step further to make sure it hits the right spot when deliveries begin in global markets in 2021. When the ID.4 goes on sale in the US, its price will include three years of DC fast charging through Electrify America's vast network spread throughout the country.
So far, we know the ID.4 is equipped with a 77kWh battery pack and a WLTP driving range of up to 520km (thanks in part to its relatively low co-efficient of drag of 0.28), and will be available in both single and dual-electric motor versions, with the RWD model expected first. All ID.4 models will also get all LED lighting as standard, with the optional 3D LED tail lights (featuring user-set light patterns) being the first application of its kind for VW.
The ID.4 also accepts 125kW DC fast charging, for a range top-up of 320km in 30 minutes of charging. VW expects to be making 1.5 miliion electric vehicles by 2025, with the ID.4 accounting for a third of this figure. The ID.4 will in fact be manufactured in three locations across the globe by the time it goes on sale in 2021 in Europe, China and USA. VW India showed the ID. Crozz concept, the precursor to the ID.4, at the Delhi Auto Expo earlier this year and we're told VW is evaluating the ID.4 for an India launch basis the growth of the charging infrastructure in the country.
As for Electrify America, it claims to have the first cross-country EV charging network in the US in place, allowing for stress-free pure-electric travel from from coast to coast. The fast charging network spans 11 states and over 4,300km currently, with 435 public charging stations spread about 110km apart in service areas. The network offers up to 350kW DC fast charging, and the company says it plans to have 800+ charging stations operational by the end of 2021. Interestingly, Electrify America is a subsidiary of VW Group America, set up with a funding of $2 billion from VW's diesel emissions settlement in the US.
