All-electric Skoda Citigo set to be brand’s first EV

Skoda has promised to have five electric cars on sale by 2025, and the Citigo looks likely to be the first full EV

Skoda’s Vision E concept finally made its public debut at the Shanghai Motor Show – but it’s set to be beaten to production by another all-electric vehicle from the brand. And Auto Express understands that the current favourite to be Skoda’s flag bearer in the growing EV segment is the humble Citigo.

After weeks of teaser pictures, sketches and finally pictures, the Vision E was unveiled in China as a showcase for the Czech company’s ambitious electric roll-out.

• Skoda Vision E concept revealed at Shanghai

Boss Bernhard Maier has pledged the company will have five all-electric cars on sale by 2025, and that EV sales will comprise 25 per cent of the company’s total volume.

It was widely assumed that the Vision E, a striking coupe crossover based on sister company Volkswagen’s MEB electric architecture, would lead the charge. But Christian Strube, member of the board for technical development, told Auto Express in China: “We have said that the Vision E is our first car on MEB. And we have said that it is our first electric show car. But we haven’t said that it is our first production car.”

The clearest interpretation of that is Skoda is planning a full EV version of one of its existing models – and the Citigo is the most obvious candidate.

It is a sister car to the Volkswagen up!, which is already available as an electric e-up! with an 18.7kWh electric motor and 99-mile range. SEAT is also working on an electric version of the Mii, the third member of the city car trio.

As Maier has previously stated that the first Skoda to have any form of electrification will be the Superb plug-in hybrid in 2019, and the production Vision E is due on sale in 2020, that would leave the way open for an electric Citigo in late 2019 or early 2020.

Strube also confirmed the Vision E would have strong performance credentials, with a 0-60mph time of six seconds.

In other Skoda news, an insider denied online rumours that the Rapid wouldn’t be continued, but said the next-generation model might not be a “Rapid as we know it”. It’s thought Skoda is considering making the car in only one bodystyle, with the more hatch-like cues of the current Spaceback more likely to provide inspiration than the standard model.

Would you buy an all-electric version of the Skoda Citigo? Let us know below…