The shift toward electric vehiclesis gaining momentum in the first months of 2025, with smaller cars playing asignificant role in this transformation. Automakers, especially in China, arefocusing on compact, affordable EVs to appeal to a broad consumer base and makeelectric mobility more accessible. How are the European carmakers reacting andwhich vehicles will we see in the coming months:
Copyright: Volkswagen AG
Volkswagen ID.2all: The ID. 2all concept, a smallermodel in Volkswagen's ID family, promises to deliver the same cutting-edgeelectric technology in a more affordable and compact package. Designed withyounger, urban drivers in mind, it maintains VW’s commitment to sustainabilitywhile offering a fun, agile driving experience. The ID. 2all will be presentedat the end of 2025 and will be launched on the market in 2026. A developmenttime shortened from 50 to 36 months is expected to reduce development costs by40 percent.
Copyright: Volkswagen AG
With the EVERY1 Concept Car,Volkswagen presented what they call a game-changer, designed to make electric driving more accessible than ever. With a target price of around €20,000, this compact EV is set to bring sustainable mobility to a wider audience and challenge the Chinese players in that segment. As an affordable vehicle, this entry-level EV is classic Volkswagen style without compromising on quality or innovation. Its smart and versatile design offers a sporty look and lots of digital features for everyday users. A next-gen software architecture ensures life long updates and enhancements, though OTA (over the air updates) are not part of the plan (yet?). Deliveries will start in 2027, hopefully that is not too late for Volkswagen’s small EV.
Copyright: Michael Brecht
It turns out the iconic Renault 5 is back. Claiming 2025 car of the year the Renault 5 E-Tech electric jumped straight into the top 5 of the month last December with 6,253 new registrations in Germany. A very cool design and retro look is appealing to a younger crowd as much as the generation, that used to drive an original version of the Renault 5.
The Volvo EX30 also showed strong sales figures. However, the EU tariffs on electric cars from China that have been in force since November are likely to have an impact in 2025. Volvo is therefore considering opening a vehicle production for the EX30 in Europe.
Chinese car manufacturer Nio is known for its premium electric vehicles. They have now unveiled the fully electric Firefly, a compact EV aimed at offering an affordable and efficient option for city driving. It combines Nio’s innovative technology with a smaller, urban-friendly design, reflecting a growing trend of compact EVs that don’t compromise on performance or style.
Copyright: NIO
Copyright: BYD
BYD Seagull: China's BYD, a leader in EV production, has introduced the Seagull, a compact hatchback designed to be one of the most affordable electric cars on the market. It's an example of how electric vehicles can become an everyday option for the masses, offering great efficiency at an entry-level price. On top this vehicle offers 12 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radar sensors and access to deep seek AI preparing for autonomous driving functionality. With Over-the-Air Software updates, the Seagull is only available in China at a highly attractive price point of €11,000.
All these vehicles represent a crucial step in making EVs more accessible to the average consumer, pushing the boundaries of affordability and efficiency in the electric car revolution.Smaller, affordable electric cars will play a key role in accelerating the global transition to clean, sustainable transportation. And we will see many of them on our streets this year.
