Skoda goes electric

Czech carmaker Skoda announced that it will introduce its first electric vehicle and its first plug-in hybrid in 2019. By 2025, the total number of electrified Skoda models will climb to 10.

The first car in the electrification programme will be the Skoda Superb PHEV, a plug-in hybrid version of the brand’s flagship, followed by the first purely electric Skoda, which will be the eCITIGO, a small car for city traffic. Both will be introduced in 2019.

In 2020, the production vehicle emanating from the VISION E study (pictured) will be launched as the first purely electric Skoda on the VW Group’s MEB-platform developed for electric vehicles. It will be an SUV allowing Level 3 autonomous driving technology and offering a driving range of up to 500 km.

By 2025, a total of six purely electric Skodas will be available in the model range, alongside 4 plug-in hybrids and normal hybrids. Skoda emphasises that it will also continue to market and develop internal combustion engine powered vehicles, with for example combinations of a CNG powered engine and an electric rear axle, a hybrid technology already demonstrated on the VISION X-study model.

By 2022, the brand will be investing no less than 2 billion euros in electromobilty and new mobile services. It is the biggest investment programme in Skoda’s history.

Photo: Skoda Vision E Concept – credit Skoda