skoda vision iv geneva motor show 2019 c
Bruce Newton23 Aug 2019
NEWS

Australia primed for EVs: Skoda

First Skoda battery electric car will launch here in 2022

Rather than being a laggard, Australia has the potential to be a global leader in the adoption of battery electric vehicles.

So says a rather unlikely source. Not Tesla, not Mercedes-Benz, not even some Chinese start-up, but Skoda.

Volkswagen Group’s Czech subsidiary is being swept up in the EV product rush its parent is pushing, but not against its will.

Not even in Australia, where brand director Michael Irmer says Skoda will launch its first EV, a crossover coupe based on the Geneva Vision iV concept, as soon as 2022.

But it would only be the start of a steady roll-out of EV models based on VW Group’s MEB architecture, reflecting the aggressive action by VW internationally and locally.

“We think in Australia we are not for electric cars, but I would challenge that thinking,” said Irmer. “We are probably more for electric cars than other countries for a number of reasons.”

Those reasons include the significant investment in photovoltaic energy which is making Australia’s electricity generation cleaner than its current dirty coal base: “Don’t forget, the electric cars will take years to come so the energy mix will be different by then,” Irmer said.

Other reasons for EV resistance are cost and range anxiety, but Irmer was confident they will be resolved too: “With the new MEB concepts they will be a thing of the past. The cost will get better over time.”

He made the point that Australia’s high percentage of home – rather than apartment – ownership made charging easier. He estimated 80 percent of EV charging would be done at home.

“You won’t need to charge on the street, you will be able to install a wallbox in your garage and charge at home. That is a huge benefit compared to Europe,” said Irmer.

He also argued charging times would come down as fast chargers improved their capabilities: “You will drive 400 kilometres and then recharge the battery to 80 per cent in eight minutes. That’s time for a coffee.”

Australia’s urban concentration also suited EVs, Irmer said. While people commute for work, our huge distances mean we tend to fly rather than drive for longer journeys.

“The concentration means most of the driving happens in the city. It takes half-a-day to get around the block, which is perfect for electric cars,” said Irmer. “Long distance, everyone flies. Sydney to Melbourne is one of the most flown routes in the world.”

skoda vision iv concept geneva motor show 2019 q0tg

The production version of the Vision iV should launch in 2021 and will first be sold in Europe. But Australia is pushing hard to get it as soon as possible, Irmer confirmed.

“We have put our hand up every strongly for that,” he said. “We anticipate a similar (arrival) offset to the other (orthodox)models, we are going to see that car here as well.”

That translates to roughly 12 months, putting Skoda’s first local EV on-sale in 2022. But Irmer conceded the car will initially be expensive by Skoda standards.

“We will start with top-end and top range at selected dealers. We will launch it as a halo car, it will be one of the most expensive vehicles we will have in the range.

“But like all our other models it will be absolute value for money. It will be exciting.”

Irmer reiterated previous statements Skoda Australia was not interested in hybrids, even though the brand will get involved in this powertrain technology via a Superb plug-in launching in Europe soon.

“Hybrids are not the future,” insisted Irmer. “When you think of the unnecessary complexity of combining two drivetrains in to one car, this package you have is not necessary.

“Why would we want to introduce something right in the transition phase, something that is giving you half the benefits but double the complexity. It’s for us not a necessity, but the European situation is different. They need it for CO2 regulation.”

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