Volkswagen reveals its ‘PEOPLE'S’ EV

VW's ID.4 leads the 2021 stampede to electrification for the mass market.

The parallels between Volkswagen's 2021 ID.4 electric vehicle (EV) and the brand's icon, the Beetle, are unmistakable - particularly the rear-mounted powerplant driving the rear wheels. Some believe there's a certain cosmic appropriateness at work. The Beetle introduced America to a unique European concept of mobility for all. At a starting price of $39,995, the ID.4, VW's first dedicated EV for the U.S., may be one of the first models to make the EV an option for middle Americans.

There have been affordable EV predecessors, but until now they were either electrified versions of conventional models or comparatively short-range efforts such as Nissan's Leaf. These were compromised vehicles and a wide-open-spaces America never was going to accept small EVs with small battery capacity and small driving ranges. The ID.4 is VW's Beetle for a new era. It leads a surge of EVs such as Ford's Mustang Mach-E ready for showrooms and aggressively priced to tempt mainstream buyers. “Everyman” EVs are finally here.