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### Weekly EV Tech Update: The Future of Electric Vehicles
Volkswagen is showing strong enthusiasm about fulfilling its commitment to introduce a total of eight affordable electric vehicles (EVs) by 2027, including a model priced at around €20,000 (roughly $23,500).
During the International Mobility Show in Munich, Germany, the automaker revealed innovative technology aimed at making this goal achievable: a new “unified cell.” This battery design, resembling building blocks, can be configured with different chemistries—NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) for long-range, luxury EVs, or LFP (lithium iron phosphate) for budget-friendly models.
This innovative cell tech enables rapid charging, allowing batteries to go from 10% to 80% in less than 25 minutes, and provides a driving range of up to 280 miles.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen’s upcoming small and budget-friendly EVs, such as the ID. Polo and ID. Cross, will feature this new battery technology. Interestingly, these models seem to be generating quite a buzz for another reason: the company has listened to customer feedback and has scaled back some complex haptic controls in favor of traditional manual buttons.
Investing in advanced battery technology is a strategic move for VW, especially since battery costs account for nearly 40% of EV manufacturing expenses, according to a Gartner study. Nevertheless, the price of EV batteries—particularly LFP variants—has fallen dramatically over the past decade. This decline is expected to make EV production more affordable, with projections suggesting that by 2027, EVs will be cheaper to produce than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Switching gears to the truck segment, the outlook for expensive electric pickups appears increasingly uncertain. Stellantis recently announced the cancellation of Ram’s first-ever electric truck after delays and a decline in demand. The reason cited was a slowdown in consumer interest. The truck was expected to retail around $58,000 for a base model, with fully loaded versions potentially exceeding $100,000—prices that may have contributed to the waning enthusiasm, as other automakers like Ford and General Motors have seen softening sales in their EV truck offerings.
Ford and GM are both heavily investing in LFP battery technology. GM has partnered with LG Energy Solution to produce more economical batteries, while Ford’s next-generation platform emphasizes efficiency and lower costs. These investments support Ford’s ambitious goal of bringing smaller EV trucks to market at a much lower price point—closer to $25,000.
The push toward autonomous ride services in the U.S. is also gaining momentum. Lyft has recently entered the robotaxi scene in Atlanta, partnering with May Mobility. Currently in a pilot phase, these vehicles have human safety operators onboard—mainly in hybrid Toyota Sienna minivans—to oversee operations. Meanwhile, Uber and Waymo have already begun offering driverless rides in select locations earlier this summer.
Another player, Amazon-backed Zoox, has launched its robotaxi service in Las Vegas, offering free rides in several areas. A planned launch in San Francisco is expected before the year’s end, followed by expansions to Austin and Miami.
Tesla is also making moves—preparing for a new robotaxi deployment in Nevada after its pilot program in Austin, which started in June. The test rides include a human safety monitor in each vehicle, and recent reports suggest the service could go fully open to the public as soon as September, moving beyond the current invite-only phase.
In the realm of batteries, both GM and Ford are committed to using LFP chemistry for their upcoming EVs, aiming to reduce costs significantly. GM’s partnership with LG aims to lower battery prices, while Ford’s new platform focuses on efficiency, which should help make EVs—including small trucks—more accessible with target prices around $25,000.
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