VW Releasing a Lower Priced 2016 e-Golf to Battle Nissan Leaf

2015 Volkswagen e-Golf (Credit: Volkswagen )

The mass production and huge boosts in electric car sales are imminent, but we’re not quite there yet. For the most part, EV cars still don’t quite have enough range, save for a few outliers like the Model S, and they are still way too expensive for mass consumption. Today, VW has announced a lower-priced version of its e-Golf to help combat that latter issue.

The new e-Golf SE, which will start at $29,815 before federal tax credits, will undercut the $29,860 Nissan Leaf by the slightest of margins. On top of a low MSRP, VW is also offering an aggressive lease deal on this model that will run $199 per month. Unfortunately, Volkswagen did not reveal what the initial signup fee is for this low-cost lease, but my guess is that it’ll be around $2,000.

If you want a better-equipped version of the e-Golf, the SEL Premium trim will still be available at an MSRP of $36,415.

This new, lower-cost model is sure to lack some desired features, but it still comes with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, the MIB II infotainment system, and a 3.6 kW onboard charger. Buyers can opt for the DC Fast Charging Package, which adds the 7.2 kW charger, later in the model year. This charger allows you to replenish the batteries in just four hours on a 240-volt charger.

The e-Golf aligns itself pretty nicely with the Leaf, as it can travel up to 83 miles on a single charge – the Leaf has an 84-mile range – though independent testing has put it over 105 miles. The e-Golf’s electric motor delivers 115 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, which gets the small hatchback to 60 mph in just over nine seconds. The Leaf is slightly less powerful at 107 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque, and therefore slightly slower at about 10 seconds to 60 mph.

According to VW, this new e-Golf trim will start rolling into dealers in September.