Report: Volkswagen to offer all models in hybrid variants

Volkswagen has been lagging behind with hybrid technology as they’ve been keeping up with their efforts in expanding their infamous diesel powerplants throughout the North American markets. However, the “People’s Car” make has announced that it will be offering hybrid variants on every model they produce.

Despite this announcement, VW’s CEO Martin Winterkorn isn’t a firm believer in EV technology as he believes that the public isn’t ready for it and that plug-in hybrids are the only viable option for the next 10 years.

“Range-extending vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt, however, do make a lot of sense,” Winterkorn continued in a press conference, “as a result, we’re in the process of developing a TT prototype that uses a range-extending single-cylinder engine to help augment the electric powertrain.”

On the dockets for development are new batteries as well and Winterkorn said that he’s very optimistic about the future in lithium-sulfur batteries, which have three times the energy density of standard lithium-ion batteries. However, these new batteries aren’t due until 2025 but Winterkorn said that the new batteries could enable an EV to travel up to 497 miles on one charge.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Auto Motor und Sport (via WCF)