Volkswagen is planning to build electric vehicles in North America by 2020, in a bid to regain its lost image following the diesel emission scandal.
The announcement was made by newly appointed Volkswagen America head Hinrich Woebcken to The Wall Street Journal.
At present, Volkswagen is aimed at bolstering its soiled reputation from the scandal and thus wants to push the electric vehicle project to become reality.
Last year, even before the emissions scandal came to light, the automaker announced that it wanted bring out at least 20 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2020.
The company also said that it will not build diesel powered vehicles in US any time soon.
Woebcken noted that Volkswagen is not stopping the production of diesel. It will continue to produce diesel engines wherever it makes sense. But, the high percentage of diesel engines that it produced before will not come back again.
Volkswagen is already contemplating to produce electric and plug-in hybrids at its facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee and a Mexican production facility.
Specific details about the electric cars such as their range or speed or other technical details as such were not revealed as of now. But, Woebcken said that they are planning to bring out several models.
The Wall Street Journal quoted Woebcken as saying: “We believe that this country, especially in urban mobility, will have a very strong shift from petrol engines into hybridization and electric cars.
“We are heavily investing in this one—including production in this North American region.”
If Volkswagen’s plans become reality, then Tesla would have more competition coming in.
Reuters noted that Volkswagen’s Audi also has plans to bring out electric cars by 2025 and to make a quarter of car electric.
As part of this plan, Audi is reportedly investing about a third of its research and development budget to develop electric cars, digital services and autonomous driving technologies.
Image: Volkswagen to introduce electric cars in North America by 2020. Photo: Courtesy of Vanellus Foto.
