Volkswagen is set to launch a ‘Twin Drive’ electric-diesel hybrid Golf by 2010. Hinting at the future of the automotive industry Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn stated, “the future belongs to all-electric cars.” In a switch to existing hybrid technology, the Volkswagen Twin Drive will source its primary power from an 82bhp electric engine, with supplementary power from a 122bhp diesel. Volkswagen has signed a deal with Sanyo to develop develop li-ion batteries, with current estimates for the Twin Drive suggesting a 50 kilomtere range to all-electric power.
While Volkswagen says they will launch the car in 2010, at this stage, that equates to a demonstration fleet of 20 cars, with no firm details on when, or if, the car will go into full production. However, with strong financial backing from both Volkswagen and the German government it is probably safe to expect full production to commence shortly after. Germany’s environmental minister, Sigmar Gabriel, claims there may be as many as 1 million hybrids on German roads by 2020, with hopes of up to 10 million by 2030
Source: engadget (Thanks to Tim for the tip.)