Model policy Skoda forgoes a small electric car

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There will be no new edition of a small car family from VW, Seat, and Skoda. After the Spanish, the Czechs also do not want to enter this segment with electric models.

According to a report by the news magazine Der Spiegel, Skoda does not plan to build an electric microcar. A corresponding model below the purely electric Epiq announced for 2026 was originally intended to become an affordable electric entry model and to prepare the brand against emerging competition in this segment. For instance, Renault presented the electric Twingo at the start of the year, which aims to fill a growing market gap.

The microcar segment has long been neglected by manufacturers. Even among combustion vehicles, there is hardly any model selection left – sales figures are plummeting. In contrast, the electrified microcar family of VW Up, Skoda Citigo, and Seat Mii initially found great favor with the public in the 2010s, first with conventional drive and then in the BEV version.

Target segment for e-cars: Fabia and Kamiq

So now the cancellation comes—ironically from Skoda, as the Czechs hold the role of catering to price-sensitive customers within the Volkswagen group. On the other hand, Seat/Cupra had already waved off from the beginning. Nonetheless, entry into the electric world of Seat/Cupra and Skoda will be cheaper in the future. Next year, the Skoda Epiq and the Cupra Raval will be launched to attract customers. The electric siblings of the future ID.2 will then be available at a price of around 25,000 euros (26.270,00 USD) in the size class of the Skoda Kamiq and Skoda Fabia.

"Although Skoda is not participating in the 20,000-euro (21.016,00 USD) EV project, Skoda is committed to expanding its EV portfolio to meet growing customer demand," writes Skoda Auto Germany at the request of our sister magazine kfz-betrieb. Price may play a dual role in the decision. Firstly, towards the customer: In the wake of the cancellation of a mini-BEV, the Czechs reassure that the small car Fabia will continue to be built as an entry model beyond the year 2030. "This model, along with Kamiq and Scala, will be continued beyond 2030 and offers efficient and accessible options with combustion engines," informs Skoda.

Only VW Cars relies on electric small cars

Secondly, for financial reasons: According to "Spiegel," Skoda is reportedly fearing a loss-making venture. The group is said to have incurred high losses per delivered model already with the microcar family Up, Citigo, and Mii. However, the group has never officially confirmed this. Since VW traditionally lists somewhat higher prices, a mini-BEV could still be profitable for Wolfsburg. An initial design sketch was shown by VW at the beginning of February at a company meeting; more information is set to be released in March. Wolfsburg is collaborating with Rivian on the model expected in 2027. The U.S. company had co-developed the electronic architecture. The car is expected to be built at the VW plant in Palmela (Portugal).

Skoda, in any case, "is firmly convinced that the introduction of an electric vehicle for 20,000 euros (21.016,00 USD) by the Brand Group Core (editor's note: that includes VW, Seat/Cupra, and Skoda) represents an excellent and economically optimized option for customers." This will ensure that there is at least a suitable vehicle for every customer preference within the group, even if not in every size.

What's next in terms of electric

In the past, Skoda achieved unexpected success in the electric market with the Enyaq and the Enyaq Coupé. Following these first purely electric models, at the beginning of 2025, the Elroq was introduced at an entry price of 33,000 euros.

With the Epiq in 2026 and a large electrified family car (known in Skoda terms as "Space-BEV") with up to seven seats, whose launch has not yet been publicly scheduled, the brand will expand its electric offering in the future. There is also the prospect of an electrified station wagon – essentially the counterpart to the Octavia. "We are confident that this diverse range of battery electric vehicles will appeal to a wide range of customer segments and make electromobility more accessible," a Skoda statement says.

Which might translate to (even if it were borrowed from another brand): Nothing is impossible in the long term. For Skoda's communication leaves an open back door: "Of course, in light of rapidly evolving customer needs, we continuously monitor and assess market conditions and our product offerings."

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