Skoda launches Czech e-mobility pilot project
Before series production of the all-battery electric version of the Skoda Citigo starts in the fourth quarter of this year, the manufacturer is launching a pilot project with prototypes of the VW e-Up-based electric motor: ten Citigo E-Pilots will be made available to selected customers and facilities in the Czech Republic.
The Czech carmaker intends to collect feedback and suggestions from interested parties and future customers before series production even begins, so that they can extensively test the vehicle in everyday use.
Sensors on all test vehicles record important data including the distances travelled, outside temperatures and the temperature in the vehicle or the acceleration of the test vehicle. All data is automatically sent to Skoda’s Technical Development department where it can be evaluated. It is also possible to determine how the battery is loaded in everyday operation or the power grid during the charging process.
According to Skoda, the prototypes have completely different characteristics from the Citigo production model with a fully battery electric drive. An important note, because Volkswagen will be presenting the new e-Up with longer range at the IAA. It would therefore be very unlikely that the Citigo would come onto the market purely electrically with the old technology.
According to Skoda, it is currently preparing intensively for the start of its electrification offensive, which will start this year with the market launch of a plug-in hybrid version of the Superb and a purely electric version of the small Citigo. The electrification initiative is based on billions invested. By 2022 Skoda will present a total of more than 30 new models, more than ten of which will be electrified. These include the fully electric Vision iV, which only recently made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show and will be the first electric model based on MEB. However, according to the carmaker, the one model based on MEB is not the only one. In addition to electric vehicles, the plant in Mladá Boleslav will also produce electric components for plug-in hybrid models of several Volkswagen Group brands from 2019.
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