Will newbie upset the EV status quo? Volkswagen ID. Every1 electric car concept previews upcoming attack on Fiat 500e, BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora, Merc EQA, Mini Aceman, Polestar 2, Smart #1, Tesla Model 3 and Volvo EX30

Volkswagen continues to expand its ID. battery-electric vehicle portfolio with an overnight reveal of the precursor to its upcoming small electric car weapon, the ID. 1.

Dubbed ID. Every1, the small, five-door, four-seat concept hatch is pitched as a vision of “an electric 20,000-euro Volkswagen from Europe for Europe”.

On current exchange rates a direct conversion of €20,000 equates to $34,000, which even with an import/distribution price bump, would put the newcomer in the same ball park as the mid-range BYD Dolphin Dynamic ($36,890) and GWM Ora (from $35,990), while dramatically undercutting the likes of the Fiat 500e, Merc EQA, Mini Aceman, Polestar 2, Smart #1, Tesla Model 3 and Volvo EX30, all of which live in the $55–$65K starting price band.

The eventual ID. 1 production car is scheduled for a 2027 introduction and Volkswagen said it will be one of nine new models to arrive by then, including four electric cars based on its flexible ‘MEB’ electric platform. 

A production version of the brand’s ID. 2all concept from early 2023 is already on track for launch as the ID. 2 “in the 25,000-euro class” in 2026. And VW said it and the ID. 1 are part of its new ‘Electric Urban Car Family’ of MEB-based front-wheel drive offerings.

Designed with the aim of capturing the essence of its VW up! city car predecessor, the ID. Every1 measures just under 3.9m long which puts it between the up! (3.6m) and the current Polo (4.1m) in terms of overall size.

A new motor in its nose (with outputs yet to be confirmed) is powered by a small, low-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and target driving range is 250km. A simple torsion beam rear suspension design also frees up space for a useful 305-litre boot capacity.

The sparse interior design looks close to production-ready with digital displays neatly integrated into a striking wrap-around dash treatment.

Despite the production car's ‘from Europe for Europe’ ambition there’s little doubt the ID. 1 will be on Volkswagen Australia’s wish list.

And when asked if the car is a likely prospect for local sale a Volkswagen Group Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide, “Volkswagen is committed to electrification starting with the Touareg R PHEV, and the fully electric ID. 4, ID. 5 and ID. Buzz. 

"We will actively seek further product opportunities given Volkswagen’s significant investment in next generation electrified vehicles,” they said.