VW announces plans for electric cars

Volkswagen plans electric model campaign
Volkswagen has declared an electric model campaign at the IAA. "We are following, as always, our own path," CEO Martin Winterkorn explains. As such, 20 new models are planned by 2020, among them the Porsche Mission E with 600 HP.

http://www.handelsblatt.com/auto/nachrichten/iaa-2015-der-vw-markenabend-in-bildern/12317742.html

Hopefully someone can find a full English version of this article. My German is too poor to do more than catch a word here or there.

Here's Google's translation of the main topic:
"The VW brand evening in pictures

Who called all twelve brands his own who has achieved at the auto show also what. From Lamborghini topless, up to the Pan-American Bulli's Doing any job. And the Tiguan to 600-horsepower electric concept."

Sounds interesting that VW is planning on 20 electric models within the next five years.

Not a translation, but still what they're going to do.
http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2015/09/volkswagen-audi-expect-to-electrify-entire-line-up/

If VW introduces an electric car, how are they going to program the ECM to show that when charging, it's drawing power from solar panels and wind turbines, while it's actually drawing power from coal-fired generating stations?

The coal sourced electric power that is used to charge them is the dirty little secret of the electric car. And, the power transmission system (the grid) loses a substantial amount on the way to your house/car. A small home wind power turbine and solar panel would help, but

I still say turbo-diesel electic would be ideal. 2 cylinder TDI, capacitor system (NOT batteries), electric drive system, and add a moderately sized flywheel, and regenerative braking, and you have a 90mpg vehicle.

rwolff said:

If VW introduces an electric car, how are they going to program the ECM to show that when charging, it's drawing power from solar panels and wind turbines, while it's actually drawing power from coal-fired generating stations?

Click to expand...

Because it will be smart enough only to choose the electrons that smell like flowers or look like kittens.

This has to be coming because of the recent news that European regulators are becoming disenchanted with urban diesel driving.

Here you go.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ear...ris-and-ban-diesel-cars-campaigners-warn.html

dubStrom said:

The coal sourced electric power that is used to charge them is the dirty little secret of the electric car. And, the power transmission system (the grid) loses a substantial amount on the way to your house/car. A small home wind power turbine and solar panel would help, but

I still say turbo-diesel electic would be ideal. 2 cylinder TDI, capacitor system (NOT batteries), electric drive system, and add a moderately sized flywheel, and regenerative braking, and you have a 90mpg vehicle.

Click to expand...

The energy conversion efficiency of coal plants is much higher than an on-board diesel engine, so carbon output is still much lower, including the 5% transmission loss of the electric grid. No dirty secret here, and it will only improve with local solar and wind generation.

The eGolf looks pretty awesome but I think I'll wait about 5 years or whenever the kinks, glitches and hiccups have been worked out, by then it should be the second generation eGolf !

My area is powered by a nuclear plant. No coal here. Agreed that the eGolf looks good. But it also has quirks and limited availability. Some of its problems are really serious... too serious to risk buying one from afar and then bringing someplace where the dealers aren't trained to service them.

Not sure that I will trust Volkswagen again.
But all auto company's are having there problems.