Volkswagen confirms a future electric SUV for 2026

Later than its future Trinity generation, Volkswagen presents an evolution of its MEB+ platform for its next compact electric SUV.

With sales declining in Europe in the first half of the year (-6% for the ID4, -44% for the ID.3), Volkswagen is not meeting its electric goals. Worse, the development of its next generation “Trinity,” based on VW Group’s SSP platform, has reportedly been delayed.

An MEB+ platform to wait for the future Trinity

The brand has even communicated that its current base, the MEB launched in 2020, will extend its lifespan by several years. Is that a bad thing? “MEB still has potential,” says CEO Thomas Schäfer, “our ambition is to elevate this platform to the next level. For that, we are making significant investments.”

Under the name MEB+, this platform is an evolution of the MEB. It will offer “better charging speeds and greater ranges” for electric cars. The maximum power will be between 175 and 200 kW, up from 135 kW today, while range will peak at 700 kilometers for the most efficient vehicles.

We already know the first—or at least one of the first—that will adopt this MEB+ technical platform: Volkswagen announces that a SUV “perfectly complementing our bestsellers ID.4 and ID.5“ will be introduced, making it the smaller sibling to support the compact ID.3.

Why does the Volkswagen ID.3 X SUV need to wait? 

However, this model will not arrive before 2026. Why? Because it must wait for its factory in Wolfsburg to increase production over the next three years to produce the ID.3. In return, the SUV will be able to incorporate future “unified cell” batteries which will begin manufacturing in 2025. 

This hypothetical Volkswagen ID.3 X will compete with Peugeot e-2008, Kia e-Niro, Smart #1, and the upcoming electric Mini Countryman. Estimated starting price: less than 40,000 euros.

Also read: The Volkswagen ID.3 2022 reduces its lineup to the single Active version