Germany – The president of Volkswagen, Martin Winterkorn, recently said the group planned to deliver its first electric car series in 2013.

Martin Winterkorn said: “We will draw part of the new series “Small Family” in order to offer our first electric car in 2013”. “In 10 years, we want to offer a large number of different electric cars at an affordable price and with such range than expected by our clients.”

Martin Winterkorn said that Volkswagen aims at manufacturing a market share of 1 to 1.5% of all electric vehicles worldwide in 2020. Another German manufacturer, Daimler, launched its first hybrid vehicle in late June 2009, 10 years after its competitor Toyota.

The German automotive group had so far concentrated on the development of diesel engines. The market share of hybrids accounted for 0.2%  last year. Volkswagen has signed a preliminary agreement with the Chinese BYD in May, envisaging the production of hybrid or electric cars. Another agreement was signed with Toshiba in Japan in February 2009 for the development of engines.