The VW Tharu, familiar as the VW Taos in the United States, now has an all-electric variant. Exclusive to China, the VW Taos electric costs CNY 194,800, which converts to approximately $29,000.
The e-Tharu or the Taos electric looks nearly identical to the gasoline model, and that’s because, unlike the VW ID. BEVs, it is a conversion. Volkswagen has tried to save costs as much as possible and converted the ICE SUV into a pure electric one to fit the unique needs of the Chinese auto market. The exterior dimensions are the same, but there are some cosmetic changes for differentiation.
At the front, the Taos electric flaunts modified headlamps with three light modules and a distinctive bumper featuring more aggressive outer ends and C-shaped LED DRLs. On the sides, there are special alloy wheels in a more aerodynamic design. At the rear, there’s a more polished bumper that doesn’t feature faux exhaust tips. The interior design is no different from that of the ICE variant.
The VW Taos electric utilizes a 44.1 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack that gives it a range of 315 km/196 miles (NEDC). Volkswagen hasn’t disclosed the peak charging power, but it has confirmed fast charger support. Using a standard charger, charging the battery pack from 0-100% SoC takes about six and a half hours. Using a fast charger, it is possible to charge from 0-80% SoC in approximately 52 minutes.
The VW Taos electric is a strictly 2WD model with a single motor, which generates 100 kW (134 hp) and 290 Nm of torque. A 0-50 km/h (0-31 mph) sprint takes 3.7 seconds, and the top speed is 150 km/h (93 mph).
The VW Taos electric, or VW e-Tharu as they officially call it in China, is a SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture company product. There’s no plan to launch it in the US or the global market. In the US, watch out for the VW ID.4 next year followed by the larger VW ID.6 in 2022.
VW e-Tharu (VW Taos electric) FAQs
What is the VW Taos electric range?
The VW Taos electric range is 196 miles.
Will Volkswagen launch the Taos electric in the US?
Volkswagen does not plan to launch the Taos electric in the US as it eyes moving EVs completely to the dedicated MEB architecture.
I got my Master’s in Business Management & Administration and have been an International Automotive News Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to global motor shows and automotive events, driven various types of vehicles, and focused on hybrid and electric cars in the last 4 years.
