Bosch to get VW contract for EV batteries

German automotive supplier Bosch is set to receive a major contract to develop electric car batteries for Volkswagen, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

Awarding Stuttgart-based Bosch the contract would give VW a second battery supplier next to Japan's Sanyo. Both VW and Bosch declined to comment on the matter.

Volkswagen has said it plans to launch all-electric vehicles in 2013 and expects these zero-emission vehicles to account for 3 percent of its sales by 2018.

Reuters

VW plans to introduce EVs in Japan within 3 years

Volkswagen AG plans to introduce electric vehicles based on its Up! and Golf compact cars in the Japanese market within three years, according to Gerry Dorizas, head of VW’s Japanese unit.

In addition to releasing EVs in Japan, Dorizas says the German auto giant will debut more competitively priced hybrid vehicles. It unveiled its first hybrid model in January, a luxury sport utility vehicle priced at 8.98 million yen.

Dorizas indicated the company expects 14% of passenger car sales in the Japanese market to be hybrid vehicles this year and is looking to add less-expensive models to help broaden its customer base.

Nikkei

Volkswagen to make electric cars in China with FAW

Top European automaker Volkswagen said on Wednesday that it plans to build electric cars in China with FAW Group under new brand Kaili, becoming the first foreign automaker to announce concrete plans to make electric cars in the country.

The electric vehicle would be built by FAW Volkswagen, and China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology had certified the vehicle on May 3, Volkswagen said in an email to Reuters.

"The Chinese government has been encouraging joint ventures of foreign car manufactures to develop indigenous brands," Andreas Hoffbauer said in the email. "With the certification of FAW-Volkswagen's Kaili electric vehicle, Volkswagen Group makes serious commitments to striving for indigenous innovation with its joint ventures."

Volkswagen would provide attractive and affordable electric vehicles for Chinese consumers, he added.

Volkswagen to introduce plug-in hybrids by 2013

Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn has finally confirmed the company will introduce plug-in hybrid models by 2013. As far as hybrid technology goes, Volkswagen has been a bit behind the mark, but now it’s time for catch-up.

At the recent International Vienna Motor Symposium, Mr Winterkorn revealed the company’s future hybrid plans. He said there would be a “range of important models with plug-in hybrid technology starting in 2013/14″.

Although definite models were not mentioned, reports suggest plug-in hybrids of the next-generation Mk7 Golf and, similarly, the new Audi A3 which will use the same platform, are likely candidates. Both cars will be developed on Volkswagen’s upcoming MQB front-wheel drive platform.

Mr Winterkorn said Volkswagen was very excited about the prospect of the plug-in hybrid, expressing that the technology combines the best of both worlds.

“The plug-in hybrid offers precisely what many customers expect: unlimited internal combustion engine performance combined with attractive electric mobility ranges in everyday driving.”

Volkswagen is not interested in producing a full-electric version of its models however. It believes the large battery pack required for a plug-in provides ample electric vehicle efficiency, as electric-only ranges are within most city driving limits of around 32km anyway.

At the same time, if long trips are needed the petrol motor can come in to provide long ranges, and the tank can also be refilled with ease, compared with an EV that takes several hours to recharge.

Overall consumption of the plug-in Golf is expected to dip below the 2.5L/100km mark.

World's First Electric Street-Bodied Car to Break into the 9's [video]

Oliver Young made it into electric drag racing history today at Santa Pod Raceway in the UK with his electric VW bug, "Black Current." Olly piloted the Black Current to a 9.82 @ 133 mph run at 10:15 GMT followed by a 9.51 time at 135.65 mph at 13:52 GMT.

This makes the speedy electric bug the "World's First Street-Bodied Electric Car" to break into the 9's. A significant historic event for EVs and electric drag racing history. Congratulations to Olly and his work on Black Current! We'll have more details as they become available.

This time last year, Black Current, with Sam Young at the wheel made it into the NEDRA 100 mph Club with a speed of 112.48 mph.

Check out the above video of Black Current in 2010.