VW CEO Think EVs Will Not be Affordable to U.S. Middle Class

In comments to the automotive and environmental press last week in Seattle, Volkswagen of America president and CEO Stefan Jacoby said that while VW is considering electric vehicles along with other alternatives, he does not see advanced plug-ins or EVs becoming a significant part of the market within the next decade. “We cannot expect in the next ten years a major change,” said Jacoby, who said that even if electric vehicles become a significant portion of the market, they “will not be affordable to the American middle class.” And that’s before considering the obstacles related to reliability, safety, and durability of battery packs.

“We have to be realistic,” he added. The automaker hasn’t totally shied away from hybrids and plug-ins as it is currently working on both. Last year it revealed a Golf Twin Drive Concept, a plug-in hybrid with a compact lithium-ion battery pack and a TDI diesel engine, and it is reportedly preparing to test the vehicles in a limited fleet.