The e-Golf to get More Juice This Year

2015 Volkswagen e-Golf (Credit: Volkswagen )

The VW e-Golf has been one of the more forgotten EVs in the world today, as the LEAF and the Model S are the two that stick on the top of buyers’ minds. There’s no real rhyme or reason to its slow roll out of the gate other than its novelty and lack of press. Well, it is primed to get plenty of press soon, as a new report indicates VW will increase its battery capacity to better compete with the leaders in the EV segment.

The report, which comes from German blog, Electrive.net, claims VW will introduce a 35.8 kWh battery later this year, which will mark an 11.6 kWh increase compared to the current battery. This will result in an estimated range of 300 km (186 miles) on the New European Driving Cycle on a single charge. Now, before you start getting too excited about a near-200-mile EV, keep in mind that the NEDC system is very liberal and its actual EPA range will likely be closer to 125 miles—a 32-mile increase over the current e-Golf’s range.

If this range proves accurate, that would put the e-Golf above the LEAF and its 107-mile range with its new battery and the 114-mile range of the i3 with its new 33 kWh battery. What’s more, unlike the LEAF and i3, this new battery will be standard in all e-Golfs.

In addition to its added range, the the report claims the new e-Golf’s electric motor will get an increase from 100 kW (134 horsepower) to 120 kW (161 horsepower).

There is no specific release date for this new battery other than by the end of the year. Stay tuned for more info.