Picture this: a world where electric cars aren’t just for trendy tech millionaires, but for the average Joe with a bank account that doesn’t scream “private jet.” A world where you don’t have to choose between a new set of wheels and a second-hand caravan to soothe your midlife crisis. Volkswagen seems to be dangling that world in front of us with the ID. Every1, a pint-sized electric whip priced at 20,000 euros. But is this really the affordable electric revolution we’ve all been holding our breath for, or just another puff of hot air with a plug slapped on it?
Let’s kick off with the good stuff. The ID. Every1 is small, but not so small you’ll need to origami your knees behind your ears to fit inside. At just under 3.9 meters long, it’s somewhere between an old Up and a Polo – like a teenage car that’s just outgrown its awkward phase. Four seats, a 305-liter boot – enough for your groceries and your pride – and an electric motor churning out a modest 95 horsepower. It’s not going to make your neighbors green with envy, but it’s no golf cart either. With a range of at least 250 kilometers, you can zip from Brussels to the coast without stopping to shove your charger into some dodgy petrol station socket. All that for the price of a decently specced used SUV. Sounds like a steal, doesn’t it?
But let’s slam on the brakes and peek under the bonnet – metaphorically, of course, because this thing doesn’t have a bonnet worth mentioning. Volkswagen’s been struggling for years to crack the electric market without shooting itself in the foot. The ID.3, their first proper stab at it, is six years old now and feels like a relic from an era when touchscreens were a novelty, not a source of endless swearing. Meanwhile, they’re being overtaken left, right, and center – by the French with their Renault 5, the Italians with their Fiat Grande Panda-e, and even the Koreans with the Hyundai Inster. The ID. Every1 feels like a desperate lunge to get back in the game, but it won’t hit showrooms until 2027. By then, the competition will probably have rolled out an EV that charges itself with sunlight and whips you up a cappuccino while you’re at it.
And then there’s that price: 20,000 euros. Sounds brilliant, until you remember Volkswagen isn’t exactly famous for handing out discounts like candy. Development boss Kai Grünitz has already hinted that profit margins on their ID range are thinner than a supermodel’s patience. So what do you get for your money? A bare-bones base model, most likely. No fancy infotainment screen, no fast-charging wizardry, and definitely no heated seats to pamper your backside on a frosty morning. Want a bit more comfort? Chuck in a few thousand extra, and before you know it, you’re at the price of an ID.2 – which, by the way, arrives a year earlier in 2026. It’s a bit like Volkswagen promising you a cheap burger, only to hand you a bun with a stray pickle and a sheepish grin.
Still, there’s something oddly endearing about this little beast. The design – as far as we can tell – has a dash of retro Up charm, but with a modern twist. No rear-wheel drive like the ID.3, just sensible front-wheel drive that even your gran could tame. A top speed of 130 km/h means you won’t be eating tractor dust on the motorway, but you’re hardly going to be the king of the fast lane either. It’s a car for the people, a proper Volkswagen in the spirit of the Beetle or the Golf, minus the rumble and the fumes. In a world where electric cars often come priced like they’re sprinkled with fairy dust, 20,000 euros feels like a breath of fresh air.
But let’s not kid ourselves: the ID. Every1 isn’t a game-changer. It’s a step in the right direction, a nod to the everyday bloke who wants to zip around eco-style without robbing a bank. Yet it feels like Volkswagen’s playing catch-up. By 2027, the Chinese will probably have an EV for 15,000 euros that you can steer with your mind, while the Europeans are still bickering over subsidies and battery recycling. The ID. Every1 might be the car we’re waiting for, but it’s not the one we’re secretly dreaming of.
So, worth a punt? If you’ve got the patience to wait until 2027 and don’t need all the bells and whistles, this could be your electric ticket to the future. But if you want something affordable and electric right now, take a gander at the competition. Because Volkswagen might slap “Every1” on the badge, but whether this is truly a car for everyone – or just another missed shot with a plug – remains to be seen.
