Enyaq in line to be the first BEV
Currently working on charging network
Foot off the Throttle
Skoda has dialled back the speed on its BEV plans for India. The automaker had got all approvals to launch the Enyaq as a CBU in India almost two years ago, but it is now holding back its plans in the face of uncertainty regarding government policies and future CAFE norms. This means the automaker's stance has not changed, since we reported in November 2024 that they were working on a budget EV, and it would arrive post 2027, once the automaker launched the Enyaq and Elroq SUVs as CBUs for the Indian market.
Top-down Still the Key
The CBUs would create a top-down approach, and their ultimate aim is a mid-size BEV in the price category of cars like the Kia Carens Clavis EV, Hyundai Creta Electric, and the Tata Curvv EV. The segment that Skoda wants to enter with the Kushaq-sized EV, has grown in terms of players since November 2024, and the same cannot be said for volumes. Many rivalling automakers have been struggling to achieve four-digit sales from this class of EVs despite positive buyer sentiments. A potential candidate for this would be a localised version of the Epiq compact eSUV.
Plans in Place
The automaker has confirmed that it has its charging and dealer plans in place for an EV, if the opportunity were to present itself in the interim period. This is also expected to mean that Volkswagen, too, will follow a similar strategy when it enters the EV game.
