ŠKODA iV: innovative, intelligent and inspiring

ŠKODA AUTO is planning for electrified vehicles to make up around 25 per cent of total sales by 2025. Following the premieres of the CITIGOᵉ iV and the SUPERB iV, the product range of the new ŠKODA iV family will have increased to more than ten electrified models by the end of 2022. In 2020, the new-generation ŠKODA OCTAVIA featuring plug-in-hybrid drive and the first two all electric vehicles based on Volkswagen Group’s MEB modular electric car platform will make their debuts.

Innovative, intelligent, inspiring: to name just three qualities that are represented by the letter ‘i’ in the name of the new ŠKODA iV label. The ‘i’ can also stand for iconic, individual and intuitive, symbolising the unique character, customisability and ease of use of every new ŠKODA iV. The ‘V’ stands for vehicle. ŠKODA iV models distinguish themselves with their modern, sporty and – above all – emotive design language and make even greater use of clean-cut crystalline elements on their exterior. In addition, they boast futuristic interiors, modern connectivity, innovative technologies and, not to forget, ŠKODA’s E-Mobility products are also excellent value for money and come with numerous Simply Clever features.

By 2025, ŠKODA AUTO will have lowered the CO₂ emissions of its fleet by 30 per cent compared to 2015 and will have converted production of its Czech plants to only use CO₂-neutral electricity. In addition, the company is developing an internal charging infrastructure. Costing a total of 3.4 million euros, more than 300 charging stations have already been set up for testing purposes; by 2022, this is set to reach 1,500 charging points in and around the Czech plants – which are key to the development of E-Mobility. In Kvasiny, for example, the SUPERB iV is built on the same production lines as the variants that are driven solely by a combustion engine. For this purpose, body production and the assembly hall have been modified, costing 12 million euros. ŠKODA AUTO – one of the largest employers in the Czech Republic – has also set up a new, dedicated iV training centre in Kvasiny to further develop the skills of its members of staff and prepare them for the demands of E Mobility. Almost 15,000 members of staff have already undergone training at ŠKODA in preparation for the era of electromobility. High-voltage batteries for the SUPERB iV and other Volkswagen Group plug-in hybrids are made at the main plant in Mladá Boleslav. ŠKODA AUTO has invested 25.3 million euros in the production lines for those batteries. From 2020, ŠKODA’s all-electric cars based on the MEB platform will also be rolling off the lines in Mladá Boleslav. The company is not only mindful of its social responsibility for its own staff. In terms of its suppliers too, the car manufacturer ensures that human rights as well as health and safety regulations are complied with, and that working conditions are made cleaner and more liveable.

In order to make E-Mobility Simply Clever, ŠKODA iV is advancing the development of the charging infrastructure too and is offering, for example, affordable wall boxes with different power outputs, allowing for convenient charging at home. These wall boxes are faster and more efficient than using a standard household plug socket. The SUPERB iV can be recharged using a wall box that can output up to 3.6 kW, whereas the CITIGOᵉ iV is recharged either using a CCS socket (standard for the Style trim, optional for Ambition), a wall box with an output of up to 7.2 kW or a public DC fast charger with a power output of up to 40 kW. The search for intelligent charging points is assisted by ŠKODA Connect mobile online services, with which it will also be possible to pre-book a chosen charging station in future. Quick and easy payment for charging across Europe using just a single card – regardless of country or provider – will be made possible in future by the ŠKODA eCharge card.