Volkswagen is gearing up to unveil its most affordable electric model yet, with the new ID.1 set to make its debut in less than a month. Priced from around £17,000, the compact EV will be positioned as the brand’s entry-level electric offering, forming part of Volkswagen’s push to make its electric cars more accessible.

Last week, Volkswagen offered employees at its Wolfsburg plant an early look at the ID.EVERY 1 show car, a concept previewing the production-ready ID.1. The German carmaker has described its upcoming range of low-cost EVs as a “cornerstone” of its future strategy, aiming to bring affordable zero-emission mobility to the masses.

The ID.1 will follow the launch of the ID.2, a Polo-sized electric hatchback set to arrive next year with a starting price of under £21,000. The ID.2 will be the first of Volkswagen’s budget-friendly EVs and is expected to be followed by the ID.2X, a small electric SUV planned for 2026 with a price tag of around £25,000.

Although Volkswagen has yet to confirm any technical details, the ID.1 is expected to use the brand’s new entry-level MEB platform, the same underpinnings set to debut with the ID.2. The car is likely to be offered with 38kWh and 58kWh battery options, delivering a range of up to 279 miles.

Alongside the announcement, Volkswagen’s design team shared a sketch of the ID.EVERY 1 concept, giving a glimpse of what to expect from the newcomer. While final styling details remain under wraps, Volkswagen’s technical development boss, Kai Grünitz, has previously hinted that the ID.1 will be similar in size and practicality to the petrol-powered Volkswagen Up!

Volkswagen Brand CEO Thomas Schäfer confirmed that the ID.1 will be officially previewed on 5 March, saying: “We will give a first concrete preview of our new electric Volkswagen for around €20,000.”

With the ID.1 expected to launch in 2027, Volkswagen’s upcoming budget EV range is set to compete with a growing number of affordable electric city cars, including models from Dacia, Citroën, and Leapmotor. More details are expected in the coming weeks as Volkswagen prepares for its big reveal.