Skoda, Volkswagen’s Czechia-based mass market subsidiary, has launched the Elroq electric compact SUV into the most competitive EV segment in Europe.
It needs to be seriously price competitive, easy on the eye, and be an all-rounder capable of shining on the school run, load-lugging, shopping and commuting. If it turned out to be capable of long-range high-speed but legal autoroute travel, the Elroq would have the market all to itself, but sadly every EV currently on offer in Europe fails this test. The Elroq does too.
Overall EV sales are set to accelerate across Europe this year after stagnating in 2024. This is largely driven by toughening European Union carbon dioxide restrictions aimed at gradually and relentlessly outlawing the sale of new sedans and SUVs powered by internal combustion engines by 2035. Schmidt Automotive Research forecasts EV sales in Western Europe will hit 2.6 million in 2025 for a market share of 21.5% after stagnating in 2024 at 1.9 million and 16.7%.
Compact SUV EVs are set to grab an increasing share of the sector and are expected to account for nearly 25% of the European EV market by the end of next year compared with about 4% last year.
The main contenders vying with the Skoda Elroq include Volkswagen in-house rivals like the VW ID.4, Audi Q4 e-tron and SEAT/Cupra Tavascan. Notable European contenders include Renault’s Scenic E-Tech, the Peugeot e-3008 and the Ford eExplorer.
And now the threat from China is gathering pace led by the likes of the BYD Atto3, SAIC Motors’ MG S5, Geely’s Zeekr 7X, and the Stellantis affiliate Leapmotor’s C10. Chinese manufacturers are being constrained by the new tariff regime agreed with the European Union. But their undoubted huge lead in efficient production means they could still undercut any European price offering without much effort.
Prices for the Elroq start at around €33,000 ($36,600 after tax) and that puts it at the lower end compared with the competition with its 55 kWh battery. More expensive versions of the Elroq offer a 63-kWh battery or a range topping 82 kWh. Skoda plans four new EVs in the next couple of years, including a smaller and cheaper Epiq with a €25,000 ($ 27,750) starting price. Next year Skoda will launch a wagon sitting between the Octavia and Superb ICE models, and a production version of big concept Vision 7S which has seven seats.
Skoda claims an official range of 360 miles battery capacity for the 82 kWh battery. But a WintonsWorld test in favorable electric battery conditions averaged 284 miles. Cruising at around 75 mph on high-speed autoroutes would incur a range penalty of close to 50%.
Skoda used to be VW’s value brand but has now become more of a direct rival. Reportedly, plans for Skoda to produce a version of VW’s planned entry-level ID-1 to replace its discontinued little Citigo city car have been dropped. Skoda plans to sell more than 1 million vehicles around the world this year, 8% up on 2024, and accounting for about one tenth of VW group’s (VW brand, SEAT/Cupra, Audi, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini) total.
Parent company VW will be determined to differentiate the Elroq from other in-house competitors to avoid the dreaded “cannibalization”, but that looks like a very difficult task.
Matt Schmidt, founder of Schmidt Automotive Research, described the Elroq as an understated model, “likely aimed at an older generation that doesn’t want anything too flashy and appreciate good access and exit”.
Jamel Taganza, vice-president of French automotive consultancy Inovev, reckons the Elroq will be a strong competitor.
“I think that the model by itself is checking numerous boxes – price positioning vs EV competitors, equipment, perceived quality, space, ride quality,” Taganza said.
“Now the question is how Skoda will succeed to develop the sales of this model among private and professional buyers through their dealer network. But I think that compared to the competition, it should be well positioned vs the direct battery electric SUV of the VW ID.4, Nissan Ariya, Peugeot 3008, Renault Scenic and Volvo EX40,” he said.
The competition from fellow Europeans is relatively easy to measure in terms of costs and style versus the Chinese competition. Europeans probably hold an edge in style and brand power, while the Chinese would appear to have an ace card when it comes to competitive production and therefore price.
There is one consolation for Europeans. Chinese manufacturers are also restrained by the technical difficulties EVs have at high but legal speeds. But according to WintonsWorld data, EVs like Great Wall Motors ORA Funky Cat (now the ORA 3), MG4XPower, MG ZS, and BYDs Seal, Atto3 and Dolphin are all at the lower end of autoroute performance.
So buyers who use their EVs for much long-distance cruising along Europe’s high-speed autoroutes will be less impressed by China’s products.
Longer term, the powerful price edge that China’s manufacturers have might become moot if Solid State batteries can live up to their promise of half the price, half the weight and twice the power. The trouble is this potential ace in the hole has been about five years away for more than 10 years now.
Skoda Elroq Edition 85
Electric motor – 282 hp
Transmission – one-speed automatic
Battery – 82 kWh
Battery range capacity – claimed 360 miles (WLTP)
WintonsWorld test range – 284 miles (average 5 charges)
Acceleration – 0 to 60 mph 6.5 seconds
Top speed – 111 mph
Price – £45,260 ($60,000 after tax)
