Volkswagen has confirmed that it will produce an electric version of the Golf in 2013, which will form part of a wide-ranging electric and hybrid vehicle strategy for the brand. At a foundation event in Berlin for a National Platform for Electric Mobility, the company unveiled the Golf blue-e-motion and revealed that there will be a hybrid Jetta in 2012, followed by hybrid versions of the Golf and Passat in 2013.
The fully electric Golf - the Golf blue-e-motion - will also go on sale in 2013 along with a similar Jetta. Both will use an electric motor developing 113hp and 269Nm of torque, powered by lithium-ion batteries. The Golf will hit 100km/h in 11.8 seconds and carry on until 138km/h. Its range from a full charge is expected to be 140km.
Volkswagen will start trialling the Golf blue-e-motion next year using 500 prototypes and full production is set for 2013. This is bad news for potential Irish buyers though, as the Government grant scheme for electric cars is set to expire on the December 31 2012.