2007 Volkswagen Space Up! Blue Concept
Yet another automaker, Volkswagen, has jumped on the electric car bandwagon. This time the Germany-based company has reported it will team up with Toshiba to manufacture an electric version of the subcompact Up! concept car. A letter of intent was signed Thursday.
Per Volkswagen the objective of the collaboration is to build electric drive units and power electronic for their New Small Family of cars.
Specifically the team hopes to create high energy density batteries for next generation electric cars.
Dr Martin Winterkorn, VW's chairman of the board said "Volkswagen is forging ahead with the development of future drive technologies in many different areas. In order to further strengthen our position, Volkswagen is investing in the long term and is offering cooperation projects to other companies. One of the important components in this context is the cooperation with Toshiba. I am convinced that this will be a major step forward towards the development of series production electric vehicles for our customers. A considerable amount of research and development work still has to be carried out until we can produce the electric vehicle, in the field of lithium-ion battery technology in particular and this is an area in which the Volkswagen Group is working with further potential technological partners alongside Toshiba."
Source (VW)
2007 Volkswagen Up! Concept
