VW to launch electric car in 2010

Lisbon - Volkswagen will launch its first electric car based on the "Up!" minicar concept in 2010, the company's CEO Martin Winterkorn announced recently.

Speaking at a function in Lisbon, Winterkorn said the company was planning a series of measures to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of its vehicles.

The new Golf would be available as a so-called mild-hybrid fitted with start-stop technology.

The next generation of the Touareg would also be built as a full hybrid version, enabling full electric driving over short distances.

A Jetta "plug-in-hybrid" was in the planning, with a loading of the battery possible by connecting the car to the electric grid.

According to Winterkorn, the "Up!" car would be equipped with lithium-ion batteries powered only by electric energy. (dpa)

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