Volkswagen has announced the arrival of the ID. Polo in 2026, delivering a fully electric supermini likely to cost from around £22k. The newcomer will be the production
Volkswagen has announced the arrival of the ID. Polo in 2026, delivering a fully electric supermini likely to cost from around £22k.
The newcomer will be the production version of the ID. 2all show car debuted in 2023 and marks the arrival of a new entry-level EV for the brand alongside a new naming strategy.
The German carmaker said the new ID. Polo will carry over the “quality, safety and democratisation of innovations” of the original Polo, which celebrates its 50th anniversary year.
The new model will also kickstart the arrival of smaller and more compact vehicles into VW’s electric family, heralding the start of a new era and making electric driving more affordable. Volkswagen has previously said the new small EV will have a starting price of less than €25,000 (c.£22,000).
The newcomer will make its debut in production guise, albeit still-camouflaged, at next week’s IAA Mobility motor show in Munich from 8 September, alongside the ID. Polo GTI. Volkswagen will also unveil a new ID. Cross concept from 7 September, previewing an electric version of the T-Cross due at the end of 2026.
Volkswagen introduced the naming of the ID. family in 2018, with the ID.3. The ID.2all show car was widely expected to bear the ID.2 moniker from launch, befitting its position underneath the ID.3 hatch and the ID.4/ID.5 SUVs.
Speaking today, Volkswagen said the new naming convention would transfer the familiar designations of combustion-engine models to its all-electric ID. family, providing “better orientation for customers”.
Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen brand, went on: “Our model names are firmly anchored in people’s minds. They stand for a strong brand and embody characteristics such as quality, timeless design and technologies for all. That’s why we’re moving our well-known names into the future. The ID. Polo is just the beginning.”
Volkswagen will transfer more established names to the electric portfolio with each new model generation – a move that could see the ID.3 renamed as the ID. Golf. At the same time, all vehicles with conventional drives will continue to run under their previous names.
Martin Sander, member of the Volkswagen board for sales and marketing, said: “Our cars often accompany people for many years – they shape memories and stages of life. A model such as the Polo shows just how powerful a name can be: it stands for reliability, personality and history. That’s precisely why we are again giving our ID. models names that arouse emotions and are anchored in people’s everyday lives. Electric mobility should not only be progressive, but also accessible and personal.”
