We generally talk about electric cars, and not trucks. Fact is, there will be huge demand for electric trucks and SUVs – looks like VW is aiming to please.
The rendering that is circulating online is without a doubt what real truck enthusiasts want to see. The proposed design for the battery-powered SUV is boxy, rugged and very much Land Rover.
Volkswagen has ambitious plans to offer up to 27 fully-electric models by 2022 around the globe thanks to their highly modular MEB electric platform – this could easily be one of them. This same building block will serve as the basis for compact cars like the I.D. Neo hatchback all the way to the large I.D. Buzz microbus. There certainly is no reason why an electric off-roader could not be built using the same tools.
Other than a few start-ups like Rivian and their electric pickup, no other carmaker is yet openly discussing the possible production of a real Truck, powered by batteries. Volkswagen thus has an opportunity, and more importantly, the capabilities to do it.
VW announced yesterday that they will be building a second plant in Chattanooga, TN, where EVs will exclusively be produced. We know of two of the four vehicles expected to roll off the assembly line and that leaves two others. This VW “E-Defender” would certainly not look out of place in Tennessee…
