Volkswagen announced that its upcoming electric hatchback will be called the ID Polo when it launches in 2026. The automaker confirmed the name ahead of next week’s Munich motor show, where the production version of the ID 2all concept will make its public debut.
Thomas Schäfer, VW’s CEO, said the ID Polo represents the first time the company will use a familiar nameplate for its electric vehicles. The move signals a shift away from VW’s current numbering system for EVs.
The naming strategy extends beyond just the Polo.
VW has already confirmed an ID Golf will arrive before 2030. Industry sources expect the current ID 4 and ID 7 models to eventually become the ID Tiguan and ID Passat respectively, according to reports on the new naming approach from the German automaker.
The ID Polo announcement also supports rumors that VW’s upcoming ID Every1 city car will carry either the ID Up! or ID Lupo name when it reaches production.
Pricing and Specifications
VW expects the ID Polo to start around £22,000 when sales begin in early 2026. The electric hatchback will offer two battery options – a 38kWh pack for shorter range driving and a larger 56kWh battery that provides approximately 280 miles of range.
Fast-charging capability reaches up to 125kW, allowing for quick top-ups during longer journeys.
At Munich, VW will display the ID Polo alongside the ID Cross concept – an electric version of the T-Cross crossover that’s scheduled to arrive in late 2024.
Both vehicles use VW Group’s MEB Entry platform, sharing their electric architecture and powertrains with upcoming models from sister brands. The Skoda Epiq and Cupra Raval will use the same foundation as part of what VW calls its “Electric Urban Car Family.”
Performance Variants in Development
VW isn’t stopping with the standard ID Polo.
A 282bhp Clubsport version is currently under development, aimed at drivers who want more performance from their electric hatchback. Even more ambitious is a rumored 400bhp ID Polo R that could incorporate advanced in-wheel motor technology from Rimac, the Croatian electric performance specialist.
The ID Polo’s debut marks VW’s return to using recognizable names for its electric vehicles after years of relying on numerical designations that many customers found confusing. Whether the familiar naming will help boost sales remains to be seen, but it certainly makes the lineup easier to understand.
