The ID.2all, an electric Volkswagen that wants to make electromobility possible for everyone starting in 2025. VW has unveiled the prototype of a car that’s set to cost less than 25,000€ - an e-car for the mass market.

Wolfsburg

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Climate Crisis

Driving the 'mass market' Volkswagen electric

Ever bigger, ever more luxurious. That's the trend in the e-car market. German car companies are earning a lot of money from that. But German car buyers are waiting for affordable e-cars. We are not in social business. This is about us, our company, going forward and creating money that we can reinvest in the future. One of those pricey but profitable e-cars, the Mercedes EQA, with a starting price of around 51,000 euros in Germany. The Audi Q4 e-tron starts at around 52,000. And the BMW iX1 at around 55,000. And these are the smallest purely electric cars those makers offer right now. The problem on the e-car market right now is that almost 50% of the cars have a starting price that is more than 50,000 euros, although they do only make up 18% of sales. Why aren't there more affordable EVs? One of the most successful reasonably priced electric cars is Renault's Zoe, starting at around 37,000 euros and with a range of 395 kilometers. The Fiat 500 electric is another competitor, starting at around 31,000 euros and with a range of around 190 kilometers. But it's still a lot of money for a pretty small car. One of the cheapest e-cars is the Smart EQ, with a starting price of around 22,000 euros. However, its extremely small size and a range of 135 kilometers don't make it very attractive. Some of the best value for money comes from a Chinese competitor. The MG4 electric features around 350 kilometers of range at a price of around 29,000 euros. And then there's the Aura Funky Cat, also from China. Unfortunately, it's a lot more expensive at around 39,000 euros. On the lower end, cars that start at under 20,000 euros do only make up 1% of available cars but almost 10% of sales. So there is definitely a need for those cheap cars. VW recently unveiled a prototype that aims to meet the need for affordable electric mobility. Its name? The VW ID.2 All. This is the VW ID.2 All, a car that fits exactly into that niche. A small, purely electric car, under 25,000 euros, but it's still a prototype. This compact electric looks a lot like a VW Polo. And at just over 4 meters, it's similar in size. But why is it so late to the party? You can always wish for cars coming earlier, but we had to make this car profitable. We had to make sure that this vehicle, when it comes, it's not only a great number, but it will also make us money. The prototype is powered by a 166 kilowatt electric motor. VW forecasts up to 450 kilometers in range and a fast charging from 0 to 80 percent in just 20 minutes, all for under 25,000 euros. Battery cost is the deciding factor. And we're just investing in a battery factory, a cell factory in Spain, close to the factory of these vehicles. And the standard cell, the unified cell from Volkswagen Group, with our company, that will bring the scale and the cost that makes it competitive. Even though the car won't launch until 2026, VW is optimistic. Meanwhile, Japanese and Chinese carmakers plan to bring these types of cars onto the market earlier. Examples include the Nissan Micra EV at around 25,000 euros with 400 kilometers of range. And the BYD Dolphin, with a starting price of under 23,000 euros and a range of 300 kilometers. And William Li, the founder of Chinese carmaker NIO, has unveiled plans to take on European car giant Volkswagen in its home market as it prepares to launch electric vehicles for under 30,000 euros on the European market. If we design, build and build a typical Volkswagen, an emotional one, I think there is enough space also next to our Chinese competitors. Unfortunately it will take until 2026 for the series production version of this car to come onto the market. And until then, these are quite a few years, so the Chinese have a lot of time to bring cars from their own. And then we will see if the VW will have what it takes to compete with these cars. To make matters worse for VW, the Chinese are not the only competitors working on electric cars. Others from Germany, the rest of Europe and the US are giving VW a run for their customers. On the bright side, more cars means more competition and therefore better deals for consumers.

Indonesian rescuers raced to evacuate thousands of people Thursday after a volcano erupted five times, forcing authorities to close a nearby airport and issue a warning that the crater collapsing into the sea could cause a tsunami.

North Sulawesi

Indonesian volcano's multiple eruptions prompt evacuations

The U.S. has reinstated oil sanctions against Venezuela's government, arguing it has not met conditions to hold fair and competitive elections as negotiated with U.S. envoys and the opposition last year. However, the U.S. oil company Chevron will be allowed to continue a joint venture with the Venezuelan state oil company.

Caracas

U.S. reimposes sanctions on Venezuela’s oil, gas sectors

Friday sees the start of the general election in India. Voting in the world's largest democracy will last nearly six weeks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term. But the ruling BJP is criticized for promoting a Hindu nationalist agenda and cracking down on the opposition.

New Delhi

Voting set to begin in India's national election

The U.S. House of Representatives will have its long-awaited vote on aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific as soon as Saturday, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson said, paving the way for its possible passage despite fierce objections from the right wing of his conference.

Washington

Israel-Gaza War

Ukraine Invasion

U.S. House to vote on Ukraine and Israel aid

The E.U. and U.S. have pledged to impose new sanctions on Iran following its attack on Israel. The E.U.'s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, says these further sanctions will be discussed by European leaders at their summit in Brussels, which is now under way.

Brussels

E.U., U.S. pledge to impose new sanctions on Iran

An alleged ringleader behind a major drug importation syndicate has been arrested, after a number of 'cocaine bricks' washed up on Sydney and Central Coast beaches late last year.

Manly

Smuggler behind beach 'cocaine bricks' arrested

A Sydney bishop stabbed by a teenager in an alleged terrorism incident has spoken from hospital, saying he forgives his attacker.

Doonside

Bishop forgives attacker as rioters granted bail

The Democratic-majority U.S. Senate dismissed impeachment charges against President Joe Biden's top border official, bringing a swift end to an effort that House of Representatives Republicans launched months ago.

U.S. Senate ends impeachment bid against Mayorkas

The owner of a wellness retreat near Ballarat has shared her 'deep sorrow and shock' following the death of a 53-year-old woman. It's understood Rachael Dixon consumed a drink made with mushrooms before she died.

Clunes

Wellness retreat 'shock' at mushroom death

The dry desert countries of Oman and the U.A.E. are dealing with the aftermath of deadly flash floods caused by more than one year's worth of rain falling in just 24 hours, which some are attributing to climate change.

Dubai

Record rainfall causes deadly floods in U.A.E., Oman

Germany has urged the European Union and NATO member states to bolster Ukraine's air defenses as quickly as possible as Russian missiles pounded Ukrainian cities and its president repeated urgent calls for support. The Netherlands, Czechia and Denmark quickly rallied behind the proposal.

NATO looks to bolster Ukraine air defenses

Bondi Junction shopping centre will reopen today for a community reflection day before resuming normal trading hours from Friday. Meanwhile, six victims from the stabbing attack remain in hospital, with two women in ICU.

Bondi

Shopping centre to reopen for community reflection

Israel will make its own decisions about how to defend itself, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, as Western countries pleaded for restraint in responding to a volley of attacks from Iran.

Jerusalem

Netanyahu says Israel will do 'everything necessary' for defense

Three Russian missiles have crashed into Ukraine's historic city of Chernigiv, killing 17 people, as officials pleaded for more air defense systems from allies.

Chernihiv

More than a dozen killed in Russian missile strike in Ukraine

Iran's president says his country's forces are ready to face any threat. Ebrahim Raisi says any further move by Israel will be met with another attack by Iran. He made the comments during Iran's National Army Day.

Tehran

Iran’s Raisi reiterates warnings as Israel mulls response to attack

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned of further sanctions targeting Iran following its unprecedented weekend attack on Israel, saying she expects Washington will take added action "in the coming days." The EU is also weighing new sanctions against Iran according to foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

U.S., E.U. weigh new sanctions targetting Iran

The first seven jurors for Donald Trump's hush money trial were seated after lawyers grilled the jury pool about their social media posts, political views and personal lives to decide who can sit in fair judgment of the former president. Eleven more people still must be sworn in before opening statements begin as early as next week in the first criminal trial of a former US president.

New York

First seven jurors chosen for Trump's hush money trial

The U.K. has cleared its first hurdle in passing strict new anti-smoking legislation that would make it illegal to sell cigarettes to those born after January 2009 for the rest of their lives.

London

U.K. votes in favour of smoking ban for those under 15

He quickly became known as ‘The Bollard Man’ after bravely taking-on the attacker during Saturdays deadly stabbing rampage at Bondi Junction. Now, the French national has been offered permanent residency after the Prime Minster declared he can stay in Australia for as long as he likes.

Bondi stabbing hero offered permanent residency

Fire has ripped through Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange, one of the Danish capital's best-known buildings, engulfing its spire which collapsed in a scene reminiscent of the 2019 blaze at Paris' Notre-Dame.

Copenhagen

Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames

Australia's domestic spy agency ASIO believes a man alleged to have stabbed a bishop at a Sydney church last night was acting alone.

Canberra

Australia's terror level unchanged after church attack

Efforts to end wars in the Middle East and Ukraine will dominate this week's meeting of Group of Seven foreign ministers, host Italy's top diplomat Antonio Tajani said, with the West struggling to get its voice heard.

Capri

Wars to dominate G7 talks in Italy

Israel's war cabinet was set to meet for the third time in three days, an official said, to decide on a response to Iran's first-ever direct attack, amid international pressure to avoid further escalating the conflicts in the Middle East.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel war cabinet to meet again on response to Iran's attack

Authorities in Russia are warning people to evacuate affected areas as Russia’s Kurgan and Tyumen regions and swaths of northern Kazakhstan are flooded. Tens of thousands have already abandoned their homes. Kurgan Governor Vadim Shumkov said there was almost a “sea” of water approaching the area and fresh rainfall was making the situation worse.

Kurgan

Mass evacuations as floods in Russia’s Kurgan region set to peak

Australian police said a knife attack on an Assyrian church bishop and some followers in Sydney was a terrorist act motivated by suspected religious extremism, as the country reeled from a second stabbing incident in three days.

Council of the City of Sydney

Australia says church stabbing was terrorist act

Tributes are continuing to pour in for the victims of the stabbing attack by Joel Cauchi, at Westfield in Bondi, Sydney over the weekend. People have been visiting a makeshift shrine outside the shopping mall to pay their respects to the six victims.

Floral tributes grow outside Westfield Bondi Junction

Sydney is reeling this morning after an orthodox bishop was attacked with a knife during a church service last night in what police have declared, a terrorist act. A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and is in police custody.

Wakeley

Sydney church stabbing declared a terrorist act

Dozens of prospective jurors were dismissed promptly on the first day of Donald Trump's hush money trial. Lawyers have begun the difficult process of selecting 12 jurors and six alternates who can be fair and impartial in this historic case.

Trump hush money trial picks zero jurors on first day

A former volunteer firefighter who deliberately lit several bushfires in the Adelaide Hills has been sentenced to more than a decade in jail. 64-year-old Gregory John McGannon lit fires on a day of "extreme heat" three years ago destroying multiple homes.

Volunteer firefighter sentenced to prison for lighting fires

Israel faced pressure from allies on Monday to show restraint and avoid an escalation of conflict in the Middle East as it considered how to respond to Iran's weekend missile and drone attack.

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