From e-Up! to 4 Million: Volkswagen Group Marks a Historic Milestone in the Electric Era
WOLFSBURG – What began in 2013 as an urban experiment with the tiny Volkswagen e-Up! has transformed, 13 years later, into a global force that has just crossed a psychological threshold: 4 million electric vehicles delivered worldwide.
The announcement, made official by the Volkswagen Group in March 2026, marks a lightning-fast acceleration of the electrification strategy. While the first million units took ten years to reach, the last million were delivered in just 12 months, demonstrating that the "giant from Wolfsburg" has finally found cruising speed in the competition with Tesla and the big Chinese manufacturers.
Sales Champions: ID. Family Dominates the Rankings
Although the group's electric portfolio has expanded massively, including brands such as Audi, Skoda, Porsche and Cupra, the heart of its commercial success remains the Volkswagen brand.
Here's what the "square of aces" of the best-selling electric models within the group looks like:
- Volkswagen ID.4 / ID.5: The undisputed leader, with over 901,000 units. The versatility of the SUV has convinced the markets in Europe and the USA.
- Volkswagen ID.3: The "electric heir to the Golf" takes second place, with 628,000 units sold.
- Audi Q4 e-tron: The group's most popular premium model, with 387,000 deliveries.
- Skoda Enyaq: Proof that Czech pragmatism also works on batteries, with 352,000 units.
- Audi Q8 e-tron: The veteran of the luxury segment completes the top with 255,000 cars.
"If the e-Up! was the spark, the MEB platform was the fuel that propelled the Volkswagen Group to the top of the world. We have demonstrated that we can scale the technology to the level of millions, not just thousands," said a group spokesperson.
2026: The Year of Democratization. Here Comes the 25,000 Euro Cars
The 4 million milestone is not only a cause for celebration, but also a turning point. To maintain this momentum, the Volkswagen Group is betting everything on the “Electric Urban Car Family” – a new generation of affordable models that will go into production this year.
The objective is clear: bringing electric mobility below the threshold of 25,000 euros. The new stars that will appear on the roads in 2026 are:
- Volkswagen ID.Polo: (Formerly known as ID.2all) – Promises the space of a Golf at the price and dimensions of a Polo.
- Skoda Epiq: A compact SUV that wants to become the best-selling electric model in Eastern Europe.
- Cupra Raval: The sporty and rebellious alternative, aimed at a young urban audience.
Challenges Remain
Despite the record numbers, the road is not without obstacles. Although the group controls about 27% of the BEV market in Europe, competition in China remains fierce, where local manufacturers are putting pressure on prices and technology. However, with a network of more than 20 production facilities dedicated to electric vehicles, the Volkswagen Group seems ready to move to the next milestone: 10 million.