Volkswagen Considers Electric Future for Beetle Nameplate
Volkswagen has hinted that the Beetle could return as a fully electric model, potentially using the MEB platform as part of its wider EV strategy.
Volkswagen is weighing the possibility of bringing back the Beetle as a fully electric model, with the company’s MEB platform under consideration for the project. The potential move comes as the current Beetle faces retirement amid falling sales and the financial impact of the Dieselgate scandal.
Klaus Bischoff, Volkswagen’s chief of design, suggested during the 2017 Detroit motor show that the Beetle could have a future as an electric car. While he confirmed that no official decision had been made, Bischoff acknowledged that electrification was a realistic path for the iconic model. This aligns with Volkswagen’s broader strategy to shift towards electric mobility in the wake of emissions scandals and shifting market demand.
Electric platform offers new options
The MEB (Modularer E-Antriebs-Baukasten) platform is central to Volkswagen’s electric vehicle plans. It provides a flexible base for a range of body styles and sizes, making it suitable for a modern interpretation of the Beetle. The company has already committed to launching 30 electric vehicles by 2025, with a target to sell over two million electric cars by the end of the next decade.
A future Beetle could go either way: a hybrid or plug-in hybrid based on the MQB platform, or a fully electric model on the MEB. The latter option would allow for a more spacious interior and the kind of design freedom that could appeal to buyers of the original and retro-modern Beetles alike.
No commitment yet from Volkswagen
Volkswagen has not set a timeline or confirmed production plans for an electric Beetle. The company’s current focus is on rolling out its first wave of MEB-based EVs, but the Beetle’s heritage and recognisable design make it a strong candidate for future electrification. As the company continues to reposition itself as a leader in electric mobility, the Beetle’s return as an EV remains under serious consideration.
