Cheap electric cars for families

Skoda Elroq declares war on competition with its price and establishes price parity with internal combustion engines.

Christopher Clausen/t-online

With Elroq, Skoda Stromer's second place is almost here. This compact SUV, which is nearly 4.49 meters long, demonstrates Skoda's new design language: the overall design is called “modern three-dimensional”. The so-called “technical deck surface” replaces the typical Skoda radiator grille and combines narrow LED daytime running lights with a high-gloss black element behind which the sensors are located.

The Elroq is already available to order, with deliveries set to begin in February 2025.Image: Skoda

Below are the main headlights, which can also be equipped with Matrix LED technology on request. The headlights are made up of many individual LED elements, which “block” oncoming vehicles when the high beam is switched on, thus not dazzling them.

The front has been redesigned.Image: Skoda

The entire unit also features bumpers with dark chrome elements. There is an active radiator shutter behind the front apron that regulates the fresh air supply to the battery as needed. Additionally, for the first time, the Elroq's front and steering wheels feature an advertising brand name instead of a logo.

A 13-inch display is standard.Image: Skoda

Speaking of the steering wheel: The cabin has a classic shape and comes standard with a central 13-inch display screen. Unlike the Karoq or the big Superb, the climate control in the Elroq does not have a classic rotary control: many functions can be controlled by pressing buttons on the steering wheel or by touching the display. In this respect, the Elroq is similar to Volkswagen's sibling platform ID.4, which is also based on the group's modular electrical system (MEB).

To access important functions, the Czechs placed a switch strip below the air vents. In addition to the central display, there is a small screen behind the steering wheel that displays trip information. If desired, a head-up display can also be ordered, which, among other things, uses augmented reality technology to project navigation instructions directly into the driver's field of view.

There are three versions of the motor and battery each

Unlike the front-end, designers take no chances on the back-end.Image: Skoda

Three battery sizes and engines available: Performance packages for entry-level models start at 125 kW/170 HP Elrock 50. The rear-wheel-drive car has a battery with a gross battery capacity of 55 kWh (net capacity 52 kWh) and a range of approximately 370 kilometers.

Above this is 150 kW/204 hp Elrock 60Its battery capacity is 63 kWh (59 kWh net), giving it a range of over 400 kilometers. Top speed for both versions is 160 km/h. The Elroq 50 supports charging rates up to 145 kW and the Elroq 60 supports charging rates up to 165 kW – in these versions the battery can be charged to 80% in 25 minutes.

This ranks higher than that Elrock 85 The power is 210 kW/285 hp, the battery capacity is 82 kWh (77 kWh net), and the cruising range is up to 560 kilometers. In addition, there are Elrock 85x Another all-wheel drive version with an additional electric motor on the front axle. The batteries used in the Elroq 85x and Elroq 85 can be charged at DC fast charging stations at rates of up to 175 kW, charging from 10% to 80% in 28 minutes.

There are multiple assistants on board

Standard equipment includes a reversing camera, active occupant protection, lane change and rear cross-traffic assist and exit warning (side assist), a 13-inch infotainment screen and Smartlink for mobile connectivity.

The Elroq can park, lock and unlock automatically using the app, and the charging process can also be programmed. The infotainment system is online and the voice assistant Laura is based on ChatGPT.

Trunk capacity ranges from 470 to 1580 liters. The emergency charging cord can be stored in the top net. Image: Skoda

Image: Skoda

Price and market launch

Elroq will be available to order from October 2, 2024. The base version is priced in Germany from 33,900 euros – and that's a declaration of war: Skoda points out that the base price is similar to that of the Karoq with a combustion engine, which seems more old-fashioned in comparison (from 33,140 euros as of 2017).

As with electric cars, better performance and equipment features are also common in base models. “In terms of equipment, both models are equally priced for our customers,” Skoda emphasizes. This means that price parity with internal combustion engines has been achieved for the first time.

In Switzerland, the entrance fee is Elrock 60 Equipped with a 59 kWh battery (400 km range). 36'300 Franken. This means that the starting price of the Elroq is more than 20,000 francs less than the electric Skoda Enyaq. It's also significantly cheaper than the slightly larger Volkswagen ID.4 (from 41,100 francs).

model Elrock 85 Equipped with a more powerful motor and a larger 77 kWh battery (with a range of up to 560 kilometers). 42'850 Franken. Skoda says it will go on sale in February 2025.

The basic Elroq 50 with a 52 kWh battery (range 370 km) is available in other countries, but not in Switzerland.

Volkswagen also reduces the price of the Swiss ID.3

Meanwhile, Volkswagen has lowered the price of the smaller ID.3 in Germany to €33,330 and is offering additional discounts to keep it under €30,000 until at least the end of the year. In Switzerland, sticker prices rise 33'300 Franken Reduction (previously 35,700 francs).

More than half of Swiss people see electric cars as a technology of the future. But willingness to pay for renewable energy travel is cautious.

In Switzerland, people are wary of their willingness to pay for transport using renewable energy and the lowest possible greenhouse gas emissions. This is the conclusion of a study conducted by opinion research agency GfK on behalf of car importer Amag.