But the £25k 'unsubsidised' price of an e-Up! is also a bit of a swindle. No doubt VW worked out what price the market would bear then added on the Government subsidy. Result : there will still be enough demand for the product but VW get to make £5k extra for each one.
Not just VW. I am pretty convinced this is what all manufacturers are doing. Virtually the manufacturers give their headline EV prices including the grant. They are effectively just pocketing £5k a throw for sh*ts and giggles. This is why I think when the current incentives expire, there should be a replacement incentive, but it should be structured differently to stimulate downward price competition.
For example:
< £15k - £5k rebate
15-30k - £4k rebate
30-45k - £3k rebate
>45k - no rebate
But I disgress, VW are taking the p*ss with VW E-up pricing. I love the car, but £20k for a car with 18kw/h is just not going to cut it. If they offered the existing drivetrain with a basic cabin spec for £15k after grant, and then the posh-trim version with a 24kw/h-ish battery at the current price, then that would be very desirable line-up, and I would be sorely tempted
VOLKSWAGEN E-UP - How Many Left?
2013: 30 e-Ups sold
2014: 87
2015: 17 to June.
Ouch.
I seem to recall a chap who had one saying that in addition to the price problem it was range-limited as the battery was on the small side - 18.7kWh total I believe (remember the i3 is "usable")
Also being "cursed" with CCS means that you have short legs and a low(er) chance of an enroute recharge.
Yep. 18kw/h isn't as bad as it would sound, as the motor and car itself are bother smaller than the Leaf, but I've read elsewhere the range is decidedly modest, which in a world of 30kw/h Leafs, just doesn't cut it for most people. I'd love to hear drivers real-world experiences though, as I am still considering one if/when prices get more realistic, as I prefer the smaller body and more conventional cabin. Not sure CCS is a curse though, it's an elegant system, and is rolling out pretty well.