Volkswagen Amarok EV confirmed

Volkswagen has committed to a battery-electric version of its soon-to-arrive new Amarok ute – and it could spawn an all-electric SUV that would offer a zero tailpipe emissions alternative to the Ford Everest.

Set to utilise Ford’s third-generation T6 ladder-frame architecture that underpins the second-generation VW ute – which is a mechanical twin of the Ranger – the Amarok EV would also share its batteries and electric motors.

Speaking at the global media launch of the new Volkswagen Amarok, which arrives in Australia in April 2023, global product manager Peter Sulc said electrification was a priority – and it’s something that will also naturally flow through to the Ranger.

While Ford is developing a separate mid-size pick-up truck on a skateboard EV architecture (similar to that used by the Rivian R1T), it’s the adaptation of the Ranger/Amarok’s T6 architecture that would be used in this case – in turn opening the door for an electric Everest and, possibly, Bronco.

“We see the [EV] trend and it’s also matching our internal [electrification] transformation logic,” says Sulc. “We are going to do it [an electric Amarok] some day.”

Just as the new Amarok utilises Ford engines (it was developed in conjunction with Ford and is built on a Ford production line), an EV version would be shared with Ford. It’s all about making the numbers add up.

“We would do the common sourcing… because otherwise it doesn’t [make] any sense,” says Sulc.

He also said the Amarok EV would have the same capabilities as its ICE alternatives, including a 3500kg towing capacity, 800mm wading depth and circa-one-tonne payload.

Sulc also said the plan was for two battery capacities, one offering a longer range (and, possibly, more power).

Speaking of which, Volkswagen appears to be targeting an EV range of about 500km.

Sulc said the company wants the EV ute to cover 350-400km when towing 2.5 tonnes for 70km of that distance.

One thing that could help the EV ute’s range is the development work Ford is doing on solid-state batteries, which promise significantly better energy density.

Along with BMW, Ford has an investment in Solid Power, which is advanced with development of production-ready solid-state batteries. Sulc nodded when asked if solid-state batteries were a possibility for an EV Amarok.

One challenge for Volkswagen and Ford is ensuring sufficient demand to justify the investment – something that doesn’t seem to be an issue given the early sales success of the F-150 Lightning available in the North American market.

Sulc doesn’t believe there would be adequate demand for an electric ute in the next 12 months, so says it is instead being planned for around 2027.

“I still don’t see the timing in the next two or three years… I do see somewhere in the second half of the decade.”

Volkswagen says its ute electrification strategy is also awaiting the final iteration of the long-promised Euro 7 emissions legislation, which will have a bearing on the technologies that will be able to best meet the stringent goals (Ford and Volkswagen are also readying a plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger/Amarok).

Shorter development times for electric vehicles mean Volkswagen and Ford to some extent have time on their side. He said physical development and testing of an Amarok EV hadn’t started but that the two brands were deep in planning and discussions.

“What is running right now… is some kind of the conceptual thinking… how the battery should look like, what is the density of the battery, what kind of the liquid battery you are using,” says Sulc, adding that “the BEV [development] part is much easier [because] you don’t need… to start six years in advance.”

Volkswagen also sees EV as a door into the off-road SUV space.

While the company has a strong line-up of city-focussed SUVs – T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan and Touareg among them – it doesn’t have a wagon designed to tackle serious terrain.

And Sulc believes one solely powered by electricity – sidestepping any diesel variants – would make a stronger statement.

“In the next 12 months we will have more of a position about this topic,” he promised.

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