At the intersection of practicality and pure driving bliss, Volkswagen has produced some of the most well regarded vehicles in modern automotive history. Volkswagen’s electric vehicle (EV) ventures began with the e-Golf, a 1st generation EV that gave fans of the German brand a taste of their clean vehicle ambitions, following that model came the ID. line of EVs built on their dedicated MEB platform. Shared amongst the ID. lineup globally, Volkswagen introduced their transition to electrification with the electric hatchback ID.3. While that model was not released in North America, Volkswagen fans in the Western hemisphere received the ID.4 compact crossover. With Volkswagen’s ID. line gaining popularity, the automaker has announced $37 billion invested into the rollout of additional EV models in the coming years.
Introduced in 2016, the e-Golf delivers everything that drivers have come to know and love about its gas powered counterpart with an extra jolt of energy. The Volkswagen e-Golf car features a 36 kWh battery pack with a charge rate of 7.2 kWh and an EPA rated driving range of 125 miles.
The e-Golf received a refresh in 2020 that included a larger battery and faster charging speeds, being subsequently discontinued that same year with no immediate successor in the US.
Introduced in 2021, the ID.4 compact electric crossover made major upgrades over the 1st generation product of the e-Golf. Now built on Volkswagen’s electric dedicated MEB platform, the ID.4 is offered in standard range 62 kWh and extended range 82 kWh battery variants. Both battery sizes offer rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) options and 11 kW Level 2 charging.
On sale mid 2024 in the U.S., American buyers get to experience the greener side of the 60’s icon. The ID.Buzz is equipped with a longer wheelbase than the European version, a larger 86 kWh usable battery and either RWD or AWD powertrains offering 282 and 330 horsepower respectively.
Model & year
|
Charge rate
|
Battery size
|
Charge time on Level 1
|
Charge time with JuiceBox® 48
|
All electric range
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015-2016 Volkswagen e-Golf
|
3.6 kW
|
24.2 kWh
|
14.75 hours
|
3.75 hours
|
83 miles
|
2017-2021 Volkswagen e-Golf
|
7.2 kW
|
36 kWh
|
25 hours
|
5 hours
|
125 miles
|
2021-Present Volkswagen ID.4 Pro
|
11 kW
|
82 kWh
|
53 hours
|
7 hours
|
255-291 miles
|
2022-Present Volkswagen ID.4
|
11 kW
|
62 kWh
|
40 hours
|
5.25 hours
|
209 miles
|
2024 Volkswagen ID.Buzz
|
11 kW
|
91 kWh
|
59 hours
|
7.75 hours
|
252-260 miles
|