VW Will Build More EVs to Beat Tesla in Europe

• VW confirms plans to convert Wolfsburg plant to EV production in the coming years, with plans to build the ID.3 electric hatch and Project Trinity EV.

• Salzgitter battery hub and other battery-related sites will be established into a separate company, with VW planning to secure more aspects of battery production for itself.

• Volkswagen's Hanover plant will produce the MOIA autonomous shuttles and ID. California camper.

This week Volkswagen made a number of crucial decisions when it comes to electric vehicle development in the coming years, committing around €89 billion ($100 billion) to the efforts, in addition to plans to launch a separate battery production company. The automaker also revealed details of its plans to convert more of its plants to EV production, putting a much greater emphasis on boosting electric vehicle output in the coming years.

For starters, Volkswagen solidified plans to convert its historic Wolfsburg plant to EV production, starting complete ID.3 assembly there in 2024 to keep up with demand that the current Zwickau plant itself may not fully serve. VW also plans to produce the Project Trinity electric luxury sedan in Wolfsburg starting in 2026.

"We will give the Wolfsburg site a new identity with our vision for 2030," said VW CEO Herbert Diess. "Our goal is to create an internationally sustainable site with efficient Group steering, two electric manufacturing facilities, plus a state-of-the-art research and development center, and to establish and expand other future-oriented fields."

The automaker also revealed plans to fully convert its Hanover plant to EV production, which will also include Project Artemis—VW's autonomous driving technology effort aimed specifically at future electric vehicles. The Hanover plant will also produce the autonomous MOIA shuttles and the ID. California camper, which is expected to be a more retro-themed camper variant of the ID. Buzz that is currently nearing its reveal in production form.

Volkswagen also dropped a few hints about EVs in the more distant future, revealing that the fully electrified Brussels plant will produce the Audi Q8 e-tron starting in 2026. The Leipzig plant, meanwhile, will produce two electric Porsche models based on the PPE architecture. VW's Spanish division will play a role in the upcoming electrification plans as well, with plans to produce compact EVs in Martorell and electric SUVs in Pamplona starting in 2025. These vehicles will be produced for the SEAT brand and other VW Group brands.