Big brand's new circa-$30,000 electric car coming: 2027 Volkswagen ID.1 to be revealed in concept form soon as a rival to the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora

Volkswagen is about to reveal its electric car for the masses.

The German brand will debut its new ID.1 concept next month, which is its circa-$30,000 electric hatchback.

The ID.1 will be a modern interpretation of the Up tiny city car that was sold in Australia for a few years last decade.

Volkswagen’s boss Thomas Schafer called the ID.1, “An affordable, high-quality, and profitable electric Volkswagen from Europe for Europe.”

The initial plans may be for Europe, but as governments and buyers flick the switch on electric cars over the next decade it is likely an entry-level model will be needed in markets such as Australia to compete with likes of the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora that compete in that price range.

The ID.1 will be built on the brand’s updated MEB platform that will spawn a variety of models, the first will be a production version of the ID.2all concept due to go on sale in Europe next year.

Volkswagen has slated the ID.1 to go on sale the following year.

It will be a strictly urban-focused machine with diminutive proportions and likely a smallish battery to keep costs down.

It won't be the most hi-tech according to Volkswagen technical development boss Kai Grunitz.

Grunitz told UK publication Autocar, “You need a car that really fits the customer demands in that price class. You don’t need high-end technology within these cars."

“Maybe you could bring your own device into this car instead of having a huge infotainment system, or something like that,” he said.

Despite its small size the ID.1 is expected to be roomier inside than the Up thanks to the vehicle’s electric architecture, which removes much of the mechanical elements and pushes the wheels to all four corners opening interior space.

It could also wear the Up badge with Volkswagen potentially moving away from its ID naming structure and maintaining it long running badges such as Golf.

Volkswagen is fresh off launching its first electric vehicle in Australia, the ID.Buzz people mover and cargo van.

The ID.4 mid-size electric SUV has been delayed several times and is due to go on sale imminently.