09:12 30-12-2025

Volkswagen ID.Polo base model delayed amid LFP battery squeeze

Volkswagen ID.Polo launches in spring 2026 without the €25k LFP base; pricier >€30k versions first as supply delays push the entry model to Q3–autumn 2026.

After Volkswagen’s December statements, many assumed that from April 2026 they would be able to buy an ID.Polo at the announced 25,000 euros. Dealer information, however, paints a tougher picture: sales are indeed expected to begin in spring, but not with the most affordable version. Deliveries of the base trim may slip to at least the third quarter of 2026, and in a more pessimistic scenario, closer to autumn. It’s a familiar pattern in tight markets: launch first with the versions that are easier to supply—and pricier—while the true entry model waits its turn.

The key reason for the delay is batteries. The budget ID.Polo was planned around more affordable lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) packs, yet securing sufficient volume for these cells has become an issue. As a result, judging by industry data, the first wave will more logically consist of versions priced above 30,000 euros, built with different batteries and a separate supply chain. From a business standpoint, this staged rollout looks pragmatic under supply pressure, even if it nudges early buyers toward higher‑spec trims.

An important detail: the entry‑level ID.Polo is set to use LFP batteries from an external contractor, while the more expensive variants rely on three‑component cells tied to Volkswagen’s own production plans. That means the initial price of entry in 2026 will be higher than expected, and the brand’s vision of a truly mass‑market electric car will materialize only after supplies stabilize and logistics are dialed in.