GENEVA — Volkswagen is looking to offer customers hybrid versions of the perennially popular Golf and Jetta. The automaker may offer the models as plug-in hybrids with a choice of variably sized battery packs in the 2013 model year.
Ulrich Hackenberg, VW’s R&D chief, says the 2013 models could be offered with a choice of battery size, and therefore of zero-emission range, to suit different customer needs. The bigger-batteried versions would also be more economical, but cost more to buy.
Hackenberg says a final decision has yet to be made, but the question of offering a battery choice is currently under consideration. He also revealed that the plug-in Jetta will have a greater electric-only range than the Golf because it has a larger trunk.
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Source: insideline.com
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VW is in, but a little late. Nevertheless, it is good thing, Let’s see who will dominate this space
in the next few years.
“The bigger-batteried versions would also be more economical, but cost more to buy.”
Don’t forget though that the larger battery is only more economical *if* you exceed the range of the smaller battery. Otherwise, it is just excess mass that requires more energy to drag around.
I believe companies will quickly figure out that cars should be offered with a choice of battery option. Putting price points to ranges will quickly dampen the whining from people claiming they need a car that goes 300 miles before recharging. If they can get a car for 2/3 the price, they will waste no time coming to terms with their realistic daily driving needs.
If you believe what Buffet is saying, BEV is the next revolution – li-air, nano-lithium,
capacitor, wireless charging. Wow, can you see the wave coming?