German carmaker The Volkswagen Group is planning to electrify all vehicles in its portfolio by 2018.
As a part of this initiative, the company will initially introduce a total of 14 models from several Group brands with electric or hybrid drive technology by 2014.
Based on the demand for these vehicles, it plans to roll out up to 40 new models that are equipped with alternative drivetrains.
Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft CEO Martin Winterkorn said that they are electrifying all vehicle classes, and therefore have everything they need to make the Volkswagen Group the top automaker in all respects, including electric mobility, by 2018.
"From highly-efficient, eco-friendly diesel, gasoline and natural gas-fuelled engines to classical hybrids, purely battery-driven vehicles and plug-in hybrids - no other automaker can match the broad range we have to offer," Winterkorn added.
"We have developed the know-how for electric motors and battery systems at our own components plants, we have recruited 400 top experts for electric traction and qualified almost 70,000 development, production and service employees in this new technology - the biggest electrification training program in our industry."
The Volkswagen Group invests over EUR7bn in research and development annually, with a significant allocated for developing technologies and components for electric mobility.
In order tap the electric vehicle market, the company is showcasing models such as the all-electric e-up! and e-Golf as well as the Audi A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid and the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid, also a plug-in model, at the 65th International Motor Show in Frankfurt.
