$40,000 Skoda EV hatch confirmed for Australia

Skoda has revealed that it will launch its most affordable electric car in Australia in late 2025 – and it could be priced from less than $40,000 when it lands.

Developed alongside the incoming Volkswagen ID.2 and Cupra Raval, Skoda Auto CEO Klaus Zellmer told carsales at the Munich motor show this week that the all-new zero-emissions hatch will woo buyers Down Under with its smart looks and surprising packaging for a car that will measure less than 4100mm long.

Despite is modest length, Zellmer confirmed the still-secret new baby EV will pack a large-for-the-segment 400-litre boot and offer unparalleled cabin space thanks to its MEB-Small dedicated EV architecture.

Despite not having shown a concept or teaser images for the unnamed EV, which is being developed under the ‘Category A0 BEV’ codename, the Czech brand’s boss said he’s also confident Skoda has a sales smash-hit on its hands.

“It’s a small car with the functionality that you get with a [big] car,” Zellmer told carsales.

“Despite its footprint, with prices around €25,000 ($A41,700), I think this has to be our global top seller.”

Zellmer said the new EV’s design has also been extremely well received at customer clinics, with prospective owners frequently describing it using the words “super”, “great” and “smashing”.

Created as a zero-emissions replacement for the previous Skoda Citigo micro-car (which was shared with the SEAT Mii and Volkswagen Up), the Skoda A0 BEV will face an increasingly crowded EV marketplace when it arrives here, with existing rivals like the entry-level MG4 Excite priced from just $38,990 plus on-road costs.

The baby electric Skoda could also face stiff competition from the closely related Volkswagen ID.2 and Cupra Raval, although Zellmer said the A0 BEV’s superior space and very different and less overtly sporty styling should see no sibling rivalry.

Skoda will resist rolling out a direct RS rival to both the sportier Cupra Raval and the Volkswagen ID.2 GTI that was previewed by the ID. GTI Concept as the Munich motor show.

Instead, Zellmer said that Skoda might introduce a Sportline version of its small EV that will likely feature larger wheels, a body kit and potentially a stiffer chassis tune that will draw in the more enthusiastic Skoda buyer in need of the most spacious small EV money can buy.

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