Volkswagen preps the Golf EV for 2013 launch

Volkswagen AG has begun delivery of a second test fleet of Golf blue-e-motion EVs to customers in Germany, the automaker said in a statement.

Of the 80 cars being tested in the fleet, 53 will be delivered in Berlin, with the rest going to Hannover and Wolfsburg.

The vehicles will be distributed to businesses, public bodies and private motorists, although the majority of cars in Berlin will be tested by corporate customers, as VW views this group as the largest market for EVs in the future.

Companies participating in the tests include Coca Cola AG, Continental AG, Deutsche Bahn AG and Deutsche Telekom AG.

"The Golf blue-e-motion fleet consists of 80 cars in Germany, and is an important milestone within our development plans for electric mobility. It allows us at this stage to secure all aspects regarding technical detail, everyday drive-ability and user requirements ahead of series production," said Rudolf Krebs, VW group chief for electric traction.

According to VW, those testing the EVs will be able to monitor the vehicle via a special iPhone application and receive advice and support from a specially established Web site and call center.

The Golf will be the second of three EVs to begin sales in 2013, after the Up blue-e-motion and before the Jetta blue-e-motion. Joining them in the same year will be an electric version of the Lavida for the Chinese market, according to VW.

The Golf's electric motor develops 113 hp allowing it to accelerate to 62 mph (100 kph) in 11.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 86 mph. According to VW, the Golf has a range of more than 90 miles on a single charge.

The German government recently announced it will spend 1 billion euros, or $1.42 billion at current exchange rates, in the research and development of battery-powered vehicles and aims to have 1 million EVs on German roads by 2020.

By David Jolley- Automotive News Europe