The new all-electric e-Golf and compact e-up! mark Volkswagen’s commitment to accessible zero-emissions mobility.Performance and Drivetrain: Designed for Everyday Efficiency
The e-Golf and e-up! have been designed with everyday use in mind. The e-Golf uses an 85 kW electric motor, while the e-up! has a 60 kW electric motor. Acceleration, while not the strong point of these commuter cars, is brisk because of the torque of their electric motors. In Normal mode, the e-Golf can get from 0-60 mph in around 10 seconds.
Intelligent Driving Dynamics and Range
Intelligent electric systems change the driving feel of the electric cars depending on the driver’s needs. To save energy, the Volkswagen e-Golf and e-up! use different regenerative braking profiles. The driver can choose to leave the regenerative braking off or variably set it between a number of different settings. With regenerative braking selected, the e-Golf and e-up! actually slow down fast enough to turn on their brake lights. Drivers can also select driving profiles which limit power, maximizing range on the battery pack.
The e-Golf and e-up! both have a range of around 100 miles per charge.
Charging and Energy Management
Charging through a regular wall outlet takes between 9 to 13 hours, with garage charging ports or public charging stations lowering charge times to around 8 hours. Special quick charging stations can charge the battery packs up to 80 percent in half an hour.
The cabin features the e-manager system and a range viewer to help plan efficient journeys.Charging Options Overview
| Charging Method | Approximate Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Wall Outlet (AC) | 9 – 13 hours | For overnight charging at home |
| Wallbox / Public Station (AC) | ~8 hours | Faster home or public charging |
| DC Quick Charging Station | ~30 minutes | For up to 80% state of charge |
Cabin Technology and Smart Features
Inside the cabin, the e-Golf and e-up! have modes to display their range and features. The e-manager system allows the driver to program specific departure times. At these times, the car will automatically run the air conditioning or heater to the desired level without disrupting the charging process. The range viewer shows a map of the driver’s location, centered inside a circle which represents max theoretical range for a round trip. Surrounding that is another circle which represents the max range of a single destination route, with nearby charging stations marked to assist in trip planning. These settings are also accessible through the e-Remote smartphone app.
The Vision: Towards True Zero Emissions
Volkswagen will be offering its German customers BluePower, which is energy generated exclusively from European hydroelectric plants. BluePower used in the e-Golf or e-up! will create true zero emissions vehicles, from energy generation to wheel propulsion.
