Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUV revealed with free charging deal

[Graybeard]

https://www.foxnews.com/auto/volkswagen-id4-electric-suv-revealed

By Gary Gastelu | Fox News

Volkswagen has revealed its first purpose-built electric car for the United States.


The ID.4 compact crossover is set to go on sale late this year as an import from Germany, but the production of U.S. market cars will shift to the automaker’s Chattanooga, Tenn., factory in 2022.


The four-door, five-passenger vehicle is built on the company’s new modular electric vehicle platform that will underpin several all-electric models in the coming years and is slightly smaller than the VW Tiguan.


Prices will start at $39,990 for a rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive ID.4 with 201 hp and an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack that’s good for an estimated range of 250 miles per charge. Volkswagen is including three years of free charging on the Electrify America public charging station network, which offers DC Fast Charging capability that can recharge the battery from 5% to 80% in 38 minutes.

The ID.4 enters an increasingly crowded segment that includes the Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Kona EV and Kia Niro EV, which offer a similar range and price.


The ID.4 is equipped with a list of standard high-tech features that includes two digital displays, navigation, voice controls for the climate and infotainment systems, a wireless smartphone charger and a suite of electronic driver aids with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking.


A 302 hp, all-wheel-drive model will join the lineup in 2021, while the ID.4 will launch with a limited production 1st Edition model that adds a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch wheels, “play” and “pause” logos on the accelerator and brake pedals, along with other convenience and appearance features for $43,995.


Electric VW’s are currently eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit, which has expired for Tesla and GM due to sales thresholds being exceeded, and VW said it expects to reduce the base price of the ID.4 to $35,000 when Tennessee production begins.


Gary Gastelu is FoxNews.com's Automotive Editor covering the car industry and racing. Follow @foxnewsautos

[ironglows]

The free charge seems to be a given, with the higher range cars anyway.  I know some folks who travel from Oregon, down through California with a Tesla..no cost for electricity.

[geezerbiker]

I could see an electric car for around town use but not for long distance driving.  For example once or twice a month I drive to the city for Costco and other shopping.  While I'm there I like to meet up with my daughter and grand kids and then get home late in the evening.  There isn't one electric car on the market that could do it on one charge in warm weather much less in winter with the heat on.   Even of there was a place to plug in along the way, I'd be looking at 2 to 4 hours layover some place I don't want to be for a recharge.

I'm not sure why they don't have small propane tanks to power heaters in these electric cars so you don't have to turn blue in the winter if your batteries get low.

Tony

[Lloyd Smale]

fine and dandy for those who live near citys. Id probably have to drive 300 miles to find a charging station.

[ironglows]

  While I am not ready for electric power yet, they don't seem quite as bad as some put forth.  Those folks with a Tesla, who live near Portland Oregon, tell me they start off very early morning for the San Diego area.  They arrive well into California by breakfast time, put the car on a charger..take a minimum of 45 minutes for breakfast..then complete the trip.

  There is a man from my area, who owns a communications company, and also has a Tesla.  He claims the air/heat doesn't seem to make a difference.  I wonder a bit about that !

  As I said, I am not ready for an electric car or truck..  ..But these guys with the Teslas, are "high tech" kind of guys, perhaps that is why they adapt more quickly to electric.

  Once the Graphene batteries are more fully developed, I can see  electric ATVs.  If theb batteries are as small and powerful as seems indicated, Imagine having a 150-200 mile battery in the vehicle..while carrying a spare battery with the same rating !

  Plus the advantage of not scaring the game nearly as much.

  NOTE:  That new, electric VW is to be built in Chattanooga !

[Lloyd Smale]

someone is already making an all electric side by side. I saw them used on a hunting show on tv.

[ironglows]

someone is already making an all electric side by side. I saw them used on a hunting show on tv.

  Sounds good, but if the potential for a graphene battery can be realized, that sure would be an attractive package.

 One feature that folks sometimes don't know about, is that when you are in a hilly area, such as where I live, or even more extreme..on a downhill slope where you are coasting, you vehicle switches over to where it is charging the battery.

[Lloyd Smale]

do judge me to harshly on my electric technology stance. After all i made my living operating power plants for 7 years and about 20 as an electrical lineman. Its probably why i have a bit better (no rose colored glasses) idea of the truth. I also own a battery chain saw that i use 10 times more then my gas saw. Have battery tools and havent plugged in a power tool (other then air) in years and even have a battery powered lawn mower for trimming around the trees and a battery snow blower for blowing off the porch. the mower and blower and chain saw because of noise and the fact you dont have to pull and pull on a recoil when theyve sat for a couple months. But i have no illusion that im saving the planet. The power for them comes from a smoke belching power plant. As to a car charging a battery going down hill thats a fact and it would work well if every hill didnt have to be drove up as much as down and the battery is drained more going up that hill then it is going down a flat freeway. In the big picture it adds little. Kind of like my Dad the other day bragging his suburu gets 50mpg because the instant gas mileage reading said so going down hill.

[ironglows]

Lloyd, I respect what you know on the subject, and I am no "greenie" in that I worry about the many phony "statistics" the left banters about.
  ..But sometimes new developments come on so fast, it is hard to deal with, or completely understand..at least I struggle with them..so that is why I often tap into information putout by folks who likely know much more than I do on any given subject.

[Lloyd Smale]

and im far from an expert on battery technology or even electric car tech myself. But a i do know where electricity comes from and it isnt the electric fairy that many of those yuppys driving electric cars seem to think provides it. Your right, maybe some day. But someday is far off in the future at todays technological level.

Lloyd, I respect what you know on the subject, and I am no "greenie" in that I worry about the many phony "statistics" the left banters about.
  ..But sometimes new developments come on so fast, it is hard to deal with, or completely understand..at least I struggle with them..so that is why I often tap into information putout by folks who likely know much more than I do on any given subject.