Volkswagen Realizes It Desperately Needs A Plug-In Hybrid Model

The CEO of Volkswagen Group of America has told Automotive News that launching at least one vehicle with a plug-in hybrid powertrain is one of his top priorities. Pablo Di Si told the news outlet that the undecided PHEV model will likely be added to the US lineup in the very near future. But why the sudden urge?

Because Di Si views PHEV technology as a stop-gap measure to full-scale battery electrification. The goal remains for VW to become an EV-only brand in the US by the mid-2030s. "It takes you a long time to develop a technology. If I wouldn't have any plug-in hybrid in the group, it wouldn't be an idea," Di Si said. Fortunately, corporate cousin brand Audi could be the key to making this happen fairly soon.

"When you're talking Volkswagen Group in North America, we do have a plug-in hybrid: The [Audi] Q5 e, in Mexico, is a plug-in hybrid. I drove the car in Mexico; it's beautiful, and the [plug-in hybrid] system works very well," Di Si added. "So we do have plug-in hybrids in the group. We have the technology." One of the critical things VW needs to continue developing - and it's fully aware of this - is a charging infrastructure with its Electrify America (EA) subsidiary. EA has had its share of problems and, at present, is nowhere near the level it needs to be, specifically when compared to Tesla's vast Supercharger Network.

"Until Electrify America doubles up [its U.S. charging network] in 2025, I think it's a perfect transition. And we have the technology," Di Si pointed out. "We have the systems, we have the engineering, the staff."