The Tennesse Valley Authority (TVA) recently set new goals to ''operate a 100% percent electric sedan and SUV fleet by the year 2030'.' The Volkswagen Id.4 was chosen by the TVA thanks to the fact it is assembled in Tennessee at Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant.
The collaboration between TVA and the German car manufacturer will start with a modified ID.4 that will act as a Mobile Drone Response Vehicle. The vehicle will be outfitted with field equipment, such as a portable power station. The beefed-up heavy-duty suspension is one of the most crucial upgrades applied to the TVAs Volkswagen ID.4. Combined with the 18-inch wheels mounted on rugged tread tires. This setup will significantly enhance the Volkswagen ID.4 off-road capabilities. A roof rack and a retractable side awning are also part of the additional equipment fitted to the test vehicle.
A Long-term Story
Believe it or not, this isn't the first time Volkswagen and TVAs are collaborating. In 1978, a Volkswagen Combi was converted into an all-electric vehicle to proceed to some testing with the Electric Power Research Institute. In total, VW produced 70 electric vans for the TVAs fleet.
A Major Goal
To reach the goal of a fully EV fleet by 2030, the TVAs will have to replace 400 light-duty and 800 medium-duty vehicles, for approximately 1 200 units. That is a lot of cars, and therefore the Tennessee Valley Authority needs a significant partner like Volkswagen.
The Volkswagen ID.4
Obviously, the Tennesse Valley Authority didn't choose the Volkswagen ID.4 only because of the proximity of its factory. The German SUV is among the best electric vehicle currently available on the market. It is a severe vehicle when it comes to everyday driving thanks to its comfortable interior and all the tech it gets.
The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 is available in three different configurations starting with the Standard PR. This version is equipped with one electric 201-hp motor that sends the power to the rear wheels. Its autonomy is estimated at 335 km on a single charge. Next in line is the Pro PR version, with an outstanding range of 443 km on a single charge. This version uses the same motor as the Standard version with an 82.0 kWh battery pack instead of 62.0 kWh. The Pro TI version gets the 82.0 kWh battery pack, but it is slightly heavier because of the second electric motor, which brings the total power to 295 hp. Still, the range is over 410 km on a single charge.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
