VW Group Meets EU CO2 Emissions Goal for 2021

The Volkswagen Group recently reported strong numbers in its goal to decarbonize its vehicle fleet and evolve into a more ecologically responsible and sustainable group. In 2021, the Group delivered 64% more electric vehicles (EVs) in the EU—over 470,000. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) rose to 17.2% of deliveries, up 7% from 2020. The Group is the market leader in this segment in Europe, and preliminary figures reveal average C02 emissions of 118.5g/km for its new passenger car fleet in the EU, just 2% below the legal target (final numbers will be reported in the future).

“Our Group-wide electric offensive picked up significant speed last year with many attractive new models," said Christian Dahlheim, Head of Group Sales, "and nearly one in five vehicles delivered in Europe was electrified, and more than half of these were all-electric. This helped us to further reduce CO2 fleet emissions and fulfil the EU target. We were also able to inspire many new customers for e-mobility. As part of our NEW AUTO strategy, we will continue to consistently drive forward the electrification of our portfolio in the coming years. In 2030, we plan a share of all-electric vehicles of 60 percent in Europe.”

According to the Group, in 2020 it had achieved average CO2 emissions of 99.9 g/km for its fleet in the EU (including the United Kingdom, Norway, and Iceland), a number that was calculated based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The legal basis since 2021 has been the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). The underlying test cycle in the WTLP is more accurate than in the NEDC, accounting for higher top speeds being driven, for example. This generally gives higher CO2 emissions, which is why the CO2 fleet targets have also been switched over to the WLTP. The fleet values achieved for 2020 and 2021 are not comparable for this reason, and the UK isn't included in 2021 anyway due to its secession from the EU. 

This year, the Volkswagen Group will offer several new all-electric vehicles as part of its push into an electric future. Based on the Modular Electric Drive Toolkit (MEB), the Volkswagen plans to launch SUV coupés the ID.501 and the ID.5 GTX02 as well as the ID.BUZZ03. Also based on the MEB, the ŠKODA brand will debut the Enyaq iV Coupé03. CUPRA will expand the range of the the Born04 with additional battery capacities and a more powerful e-Boost version. Audi will introduce the upgraded e-tron and new versions of the Porsche Taycan and the Taycan Sport Turismo will be available for the first time.

The Group intends to become the global leader and manufacturer of electric vehicles worldwide by 2025. The Group plans to invest about €52 billion by 2026 in e-mobility as well as an additional €8 billion in the hybridization of its model portfolio.

Volkswagen was the first automotive group to commit to the Paris Climate Agreement and intends to become net climate neutral by 2050, which is why the Group continues to innovate and stress decarbonization beyond its vehicles. The power plant in Wolfsburg, for example, which produces electricity for the plant and district heating for the city, was recently converted from coal to gas, saving roughly 1.5 million tons of CO2 per year (equivalent to annual emissions of 870,000 cars).