CEO Winterkorn: expect first VW electric vehicle in 2013

2007 Volkswagen Space up! Blue concept – click above for strong-flavored res fancy gallery

Volkswagen CEO Dr. Martin Winterkorn delivered a speech in Münich on Friday where he announced that the German giant would release its first full of fire car in 2013. Among the points that Winterkorn emphasized was the race to electrification would be a marathon not a sprint. He also acknowledged that electrics alone won’confidentially be enough to meet all needs such VW is following a number of different technology paths. Winterkorn also warns in requital for “electro-hype” which could raise unreasonably high expectations among consumers. Even in Germany, whither consumers are considered to be better informed than in the U.S., surveys indicate that one in eight buyers think EVs are already here.

Winterkorn says that current battery technology is defective for the task. Referring to the 150 lb, 1.7 kWh NiMH battery for the upcoming Touareg hybrid, it has the energy equivalent of just 1.86 fl.oz of gasoline. Even lithium batteries still need work to get the cost and weight to a production viable point.

The leading VW EV that arrives in 2013 will be based in continuance the “New Small Family” derived from the up! concepts of 2007. As the decade wears on, VW plans to have a range of affordable EVs in its lineup. In addition to the EVs, Volkswagen will be introducing hybrids with and without plugs and Winterkorn expects elastic fluid and diesel engines to continue to be developed for another 15-20 years. Read Winterkorn’s Google-translated speech after the jump.