Here are the 5 Future Skoda electric car models [Update]

Update: ‘Skoda Enyaq iV L&K’ added and ”Compact’ Skoda electric SUV (2024)’ updated.

Skoda may not be aggressive like Volkswagen with EV launches every few months, but it plans to launch at least four new zero-emission models this decade to keep EV prospects tuned in. Building a wide EV line-up will be key to achieving the target of converting 50-70% of its European sales into EVs by 2030.

Skoda Enyaq iV L&K

The Skoda Enyaq iV will get the Laurin & Klement treatment in 2023, Skoda CEO Klaus Zellmer, announced at the company’s annual press conference on March 16, 2023. Named after the company’s founders Laurin and Klement, L&K stands for elegance and luxury at Skoda.

Skoda may equip the Enyaq iV L&K with special chrome trim, unique alloy wheels, and a ‘Laurin & Klement’ badge on the front wings. The interior should be upscale, with features like exclusive upholstery, trim, and color scheme, a ‘Laurin & Klement’ logo on the seats and dashboard, and some additional comfort and Simply Clever features. Moreover, Zellmer has confirmed that the Laurin & Klement grade will include plenty of technical improvements, which should reach other grades later on.

‘Compact’ Skoda electric SUV (2024)

At the Skoda Vision 7S concept world premiere on April 30, 2022, Klaus Zellmer, the new CEO of Skoda, announced that the company’s future EV launches by 2026 will include a compact SUV.

We are significantly accelerating our product offensive by launching three additional e-models already by 2026 – a small battery electric vehicle, a compact SUV, and a seven-seater.

Klaus Zellmer, CEO, Skoda (Skoda Vision 7S concept world premiere on April 30, 2022)

At Skoda’s annual press conference on March 16, 2023, Zellmer teased the new product in his presentation slide. Perhaps it conceals a near-production electric compact SUV concept. The Czech automaker plans to share more details about its updated and accelerated electrification roadmap at its ‘Explore More 2.0’ event in April 2023, which is when we’ll get to learn more.

Skoda chief designer Oliver Stefani has revealed in an internal interview (via Skoda) that the SUV smaller than the Enyaq iV will arrive in 2024 and that it will be the first production model to incorporate the brand’s new design language that debuted on the Vision 7S. Asked whether Skoda plans to use the new design language on the next generation of its ICE models as well, he said:

For now, it will be used solely on electric cars, the first one – an SUV smaller than ENYAQ iV – will come in 2024.

Oliver Stefani, chief designer, Skoda (Skoda interview on September 1, 2022)

Previously, former Skoda CEO Thomas Schäfer confirmed at the Skoda Annual Press Conference 2021 in March 2021 that the next new Skoda electric car (excluding derivatives) would be a model smaller than the Enyaq iV. Schäfer is now the CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, a Volkswagen Group BoM member, and the Head of the Brand Group Volume at Volkswagen Group.

Asked if the next all-new Skoda EV will likely be an ID.3-sized hatch, Schäfer said that the next model would indeed be smaller than the Enyaq iV. He didn’t disclose the model’s body style, though.

Yeah, we are working on the next model smaller than the Enyaq, that’s true, but it would be too early to say what shape that car would be.

Thomas Schäfer, former CEO, Skoda (Skoda Annual Press Conference 2021)

An Autocar report from June 2021 said that the next Skoda electric car to launch after the Enyaq Coupe iV would have dimensions similar to the VW ID.3. Also based on the MEB platform, this model may differ with a completely different top hat, one with a crossover-like look, as per the report. In addition to a tougher character, the crossover shape should allow more interior space.

Focus on space & practicality

Skoda would focus on the space and practicality of the compact EV to make it more desirable than the ID.3 and the Cupra Born. Stefani told Autocar that luggage space would continue to be a priority while designing its future electric cars. “People love it (spaciousness), and it’s not something we want to give up,” the designer said.

Skoda usually squeezes out the maximum space and ends up with spacious sister models to VW cars. The Enyaq iV is the latest proof of that. At 2,768 mm, it has nearly the same wheelbase as Volkswagen ID.4 (2,771 mm), but it offers 585 liters of boot space. That’s 42 liters more than the Volkswagen model (543 liters). The new-generation Fabia from the combustion engine family is another example.

Range

The compact EV may get two-three different lithium-ion battery pack options with a maximum range of 525-550 km/326-342 miles.

Is not the Skoda Elroq

Volkswagen and Skoda are christening new names for MEB platform-based EVs. The companies don’t want these to be incorrectly perceived as conversions of existing products, as they are developed from scratch. New names allow marketing them as revolutionary products, with the possibility of creating a future brand icon. The company is yet to decide the name for the smaller EV it plans to launch after the Enyaq iV Coupe, Schäfer has confirmed.

Skoda trademarked a new name, Skoda Elroq, in 2021. When Autocar asked Schäfer in 2021 if the company plans to name the upcoming compact EV Skoda Elroq, he said that he was “not convinced.” He continued that the company is unlikely to decide on its name for 12 more months, as it is the last step of releasing a new product in the market. There hasn’t been any update regarding this matter since.

‘Small’ Skoda electric car (2025)

At the Vision 7S world premiere, Zellmer announced that the company’s future EV launches by 2026 will include a small car.

Volkswagen Group has confirmed a new budget EV family that will include several B-segment hatchbacks and SUV models. The electric VW small SUV arriving in 2025 will have a Skoda sibling, Ralf Brandstätter, the former Volkswagen Passenger Cars CEO and the new Volkswagen Group BoM member responsible for China operations, confirmed at the event 2021 Munich Motor Show (IAA 2021):

Sister models (of electric VW small SUV production version) for Cupra and Skoda are also planned. While Volkswagen will provide the platform and technology, Seat will develop the cars and CARIAD will deliver the software. We will build our new compact family most likely in Spain, and we also intend to localize battery production there.

Ralf Brandstätter, former CEO Volkswagen Passenger Cars, (VW ID. Life world premiere at IAA 2021)

Speaking to Handelsblatt, Schäfer had said that the company plans to launch a small electric car with “an independent, space-oriented vehicle concept.” His words indicate that the Skoda EV will differ from sister models with maximized dimensions and a strong focus on practicality and value for money.

Modern Solid design direction

During the Skoda Auto Annual Press Conference 2022, Schäfer announced Skoda’s new design language, christened Modern Solid. The new design direction was developed keeping in mind customers’ emerging demands and ever-changing lifestyles. Schäfer stated that customers and the brand’s rivals would experience a “real wow moment” when Skoda debuts the design language with its upcoming urban electric car concept.

Martin Jahn, Skoda board member for sales and marketing, stated that the design shift would be the most comprehensive since Skoda Auto became a part of the VW Group. However, he added that Skoda cars would remain people-centric and family-oriented.

Will be made in Spain

Skoda’s small electric SUV will be one of the four EVs Volkswagen Group has allocated to the Seat Martorell plant in Spain.

Range expectation

Skoda won’t cut corners in the powertrain department despite lower prices in the entry-level models, Schäfer indicated during a conversation with Auto Express in July 2021. He was talking about a small EV with a starting price of under EUR 20,000. He said that 350-400 km (217-249 miles) is a “reasonable range” for such a product. The ID. Life concept Volkswagen unveiled later can achieve a range (WLTP) of about 400 km (249 miles).

MEB Entry platform

The Skoda small electric SUV will come off the lower version of the MEB platform. Officially called ‘MEB Entry’ platform, it’s a modified version to suit small cars. Power goes to the front wheels instead of the rear wheels, and, with a 57 kWh battery pack, a range (WLTP) of around 450 km (280 miles) is possible without any compromise in performance.

Battery

The small Skoda EV costing under EUR 25,000 could get a mix of lithium-iron-phosphate and lithium-ion battery pack options. It is no news that Volkswagen Group plans to use a new unified cell format and the cost-effective LFP cell chemistry for the battery packs of the MEB entry models.

MEB Entry models are not for the driving enthusiasts

Volkswagen Group’s small EVs may not be a driver’s delight, especially to those who want added control over the experience, with, say, a stick shift and driver assistance systems not specified or turned off. Driving enthusiasts are not the target group, Thomas Ulbrich, BoM member in charge of the New Mobility division, Volkswagen Group said, as per a report from Automobilwoche. Future EVs will appeal mainly to “customers who consciously use assistance systems to increase safety and relax behind the wheel.”

Skoda seven-seat electric SUV (2026)

Skoda has said that it will launch the production version of the Vision 7S (pictured above) by 2026. Embodying a new design language, the new flagship Skoda will likely look smarter, bolder, and cleaner than the Kodiaq and even the Enyaq iV. The exterior and interior would be completely different from the current Skoda models.

The Skoda seven-seat electric SUV should feature slim, T-shaped headlights and rear lights, a wide light strip between the headlights, 22-inch wheels, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.6-inch portrait touchscreen, and a two-spoke steering wheel with touch-control buttons and haptic scroll wheels. Skoda may use many new sustainable materials like recycled-tire veneer and recycled polyester yarn for the interior of the electric three-row SUV.

Based on the MEB platform, the Skoda seven-seat SUV will likely be 5.0 meters long, nearly 2.0 meters wide, and about 1.9 meters tall. It may have a long wheelbase of 3.0+ meters. Skoda may offer multiple battery pack options, including an 89 kWh unit that delivers a WLTP range of over 600 km (373 miles). Expect single- and dual-motor powertrain options with up to over 225 kW (302 hp) of system power. The maximum charging power supported will likely be above 200 kW, but not as high as 350 kW, as the MEB platform doesn’t allow 800-volt system voltage.

Skoda Octavia Electric equivalent (2027)

In an interview with auto motor und sport in January 2021, Schäfer indicated that future Skoda EVs wouldn’t be limited to SUVs. “Our e-portfolio cannot only consist of SUVs in the long term,” he said. During the Skoda Strategy 2030 event on 24 June 2021, he confirmed that a Skoda Octavia Electric would be a part of the Skoda EV range in the future.

Speaking further Schäfer indicated that the Octavia Electric would be available in a Combi version. The company may launch its best-selling model in the electric avatar in 2027, but with a different name.

The Octavia, specifically the Octavia Combi, is the core of our brand. No, I mean there’s no secret. We believe that this segment is by far not dead, no matter what the propulsion is going to be in the future. So, yes, I think we need an electric Octavia.

Thomas Schäfer, former CEO, Skoda (Next Level Skoda Strategy 2030 on 24 June 2021)

Martin Jahn, BoM member responsible for Sales & Marketing, Skoda, revealed said that he expects the Skoda EV line-up to see the addition of a station wagon by 2030, FinTag.cz reported on January 18, 2022. He was talking about the brand’s electrification in a debate arranged by Alter Eko (watch on YouTube).

Skoda Electric Car models FAQs

Featured Image Source: Skoda