Industrial giant Siemens AG is making a major push towards electrification, adding 1,000 Volkswagen ID.4 electric SUVs to its fleet.
The move is part of Siemens’ ambitious sustainability strategy, which aims to make the company’s entire fleet CO2-neutral by 2030. The ID.4s will be leased from Volkswagen Financial Services, and will be gradually integrated into Siemens’ fleet over the coming months.
“Fleets of companies and public authorities provide significant leverage for the market ramp-up of e-mobility,” said Armin Villinger, Chairman of the Management Board of Volkswagen Leasing GmbH. “Therefore, the electrification of vehicle fleets is also of central importance to us at Volkswagen Financial Services. We are observing that more and more fleet managers are also electrifying their service vehicles. This shows how suitable and practical electric mobility has become for everyday use.”
A Win-Win for Siemens and VW
For Siemens, the ID.4s represent a significant step towards its sustainability goals. The electric SUVs offer a range of up to 531 kilometers (according to the WLTP cycle) and can be fast-charged at up to 135 kW, making them well-suited for everyday use.
“The electrification of our fleet is a clear commitment to achieving our climate goals,” explained Stefan Kurz, Head of Global Fleet Management at Siemens. “But we also want to be a pioneer in our industry and send a clear signal for sustainable fleet management in line with our DEGREE framework.”
For Volkswagen, the deal represents a major boost for its ID.4 electric SUV. The car has been well-received by critics and consumers alike, and the Siemens order is a major vote of confidence in the vehicle.
“The fleet customer business is of great importance to Volkswagen,” said Achim Schaible, Chairman and Spokesman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Germany. “That is why we are pleased to continue our long-standing and trusting cooperation with Siemens into the era of electromobility.”
The ID.4: A Key Player in VW’s Electric Offensive
The ID.4 is the first all-electric compact SUV from Volkswagen. It is based on the company’s modular electric drive matrix (MEB), which also underpins other VW electric vehicles such as the ID.3 and the Skoda Enyaq. The MEB platform allows for a spacious interior and a long driving range.
The ID.4 is available in a variety of configurations, with different battery sizes and power outputs. The most powerful version has a range of up to 531 kilometers and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The Siemens deal is a major signal of the growing momentum behind electric vehicles. With major companies like Siemens making the switch to electric fleets, the future of transportation is looking increasingly electric.
