Ten years ago, a mass-produced electric vehicle didn’t exist. Of course, the Sunderland-built Nissan Leaf changed all that in 2011, kickstarting an industry-wide movement that has seen almost every major car maker from Kia to Jaguar Land Rover bolt an electric powertrain into their conventional petrol and diesel models.

Now, Volkswagen has announced it will offer at least 23 (twenty-three!) electric vehicles by 2025.

We’re not doubting VW’s ability to deliver – after all, they are the biggest car maker in Europe – but the brand’s pure-electric range consists of just two models and those were launched back in 2014. Since then, we’ve had nothing aside from a few plug-ins.

To meet its aim of introducing 23 different electric models, VW will have to launch 2.875 EVs a year and considering VW’s work rate so far, it just feels overly ambitious.

Volkswagen I.D. CROZZ

The German brand made the statement at the Frankfurt Motor Show, where it unveiled a new electric concept car named I.D.CROZZ.

VW claims this isn’t some hokey design project that’ll be forgotten about after a few years, but an actual near-production concept that will enter showrooms in 2020.

So what is this I.D.CROZZ? VW describes it as a four-door SUV-coupe crossover, with an interior so spacious that it can transport a crossbike without any bother.

It doesn’t have any B-pillars, which makes access super easy and facilitates a highly versatile seating arrangement, as well as the large swinging and sliding doors.

The I.D.CROZZ’s 225 kw electric drivetrain produces the equivalent of 301bhp and can cover up to 310 miles on a single charge, reaching speeds of up to 111mph if required.

To make VW’s electric evolution possible, it will invest 6 billion euros into electric mobility over the next five years.

However, this won’t come at the expense of its petrol or diesel engines, which will also receive heavy investment, so we can still look forward to the likes of the up! GTI, Arteon and T-Roc for many years to come.

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