USA - VW e-Golf gets top marks from Environmental Protection Agency

The fully electric, zero tailpipe emissions e-Golf gets top marks from the Environmental Protection Agency

• 116 combined MPGe puts e-Golf at head of compact electric vehicle (EV) class
• MPGe announcement reinforces e-Golf position as a fun-to-drive, no-compromise plug-in vehicle
• Fully equipped e-Golf starts at $35,445
• Standard fast charging capability can allow 80 percent battery charge within 30 minutes

Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that the compact, fully electric 2015 e-Golf has been rated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 126 city, 105 highway, and 116 combined Miles per Gallon of Gasoline Equivalent* (MPGe), and given a range of up to 83 miles. Compared to other compact electric vehicles (EVs), these numbers make the e-Golf the most efficient car in its class for the 2015 model year.  

The 2015 e-Golf is Volkswagen’s first fully electric vehicle for the U.S. market. Although Volkswagen has sold more than 30 million Golf models worldwide, this is the first zero tailpipe emissions, fully electric version of the car. It is also part of Volkswagen’s Think Blue® holistic approach to sustainability and efficiency.

The e-Golf brings all the benefits of an electric vehicle to the Golf “fun-to-drive yet practical” formula, forever ending the idea that compact EVs must be bland and focused only on efficiency. The e-Golf adds a compact electric motor and lithium-ion battery (built in-house at Volkswagen’s Braunschweig, Germany facility) to the Golf’s sporty Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform. With this modern drivetrain the e-Golf offers zero tailpipe emissions and zero trips to the pump. Depending on driving style, charging behavior, and other factors, the EPA estimated range for the e-Golf is up to 83 miles.

The e-Golf has a 7.2 kW onboard charger as standard equipment, enabling the EV’s battery to be recharged in any of three ways. With the installation of the optional 240-volt wallbox, charging the battery can take less than four hours. The e-Golf also offers a charging cable that can plug into any standard 110/120-volt electrical socket and charge the battery in roughly 20 hours. In addition, the e-Golf comes equipped with a standard Combined Charging System (CCS) which allows the car to use the SAE standard DC fast charging infrastructure (at select stations), bringing the battery’s state of charge to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. Any of these options help provide categorically lower ownership costs than fueling a traditional internal combustion engine.

The e-Golf will go on sale at participating dealerships in select states in November, starting at $35,445 (plus $820 destination and handling). The SEL Premium model features an extensive list of standard equipment, including a 7.2kW onboard charger, touchscreen navigation system, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, and LED headlights.