SKODA HAS ANNOUNCED plans to introduce its first fully electric vehicle within the next three years. A new concept, called the Vision E, will make its public debut at this month’s Shanghai Auto Show.
The SUV design claims to offer a driving range of 500km, using the latest battery technology from within the Volkswagen Group.
It will be built on the new MED platform, which is set to underpin a whole family of electric vehicles. Propulsion will come via two electric motors that will have a combined output of around 305hp, so this should be anything but sluggish when it comes to performance. But the big news is that 500km driving range, which is needed if greater levels of adoption are to be had from the buying public.
Not only does the Vision E promise useful driving range, Skoda is also stating that the production version will be designed to have Level 3 autonomy on board. That means the capability to drive by itself in traffic jams without any input required by the driver, and an autopilot mode when cruising on the motorway with the ability to change lanes and overtake. It is also expected to be able to search for car parking spaces, park and then leave independently.
As with almost every futuristic concept these days, the Vision E will be styled as an SUV, although unlike the new Kodiaq, it will take on a sportier coupe-like shape. Thanks to the two electric motors it will have four-wheel drive, though we’re not sure how many people might actually venture off-road in it.
Ahead of the Vision E’s arrival in 2020, Skoda also has plans to roll out plug-in hybrid versions of its Superb saloon in 2019 and by 2025 the Czech car maker says it will have five pure electric models on sale.
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