Volkswagen Presents Milano Taxi Study

World premiere at Hannover Messe 2010

MILANO – April 20, 2010: Volkswagen remains on course for becoming the world’s most environmentally-friendly automaker: The Milano Taxi, a study of a mass-market taxi powered by an electric motor, made its world debut at Hannover Messe which opened yesterday.

Volkswagen’s electric strategy is the central element of the company’s presence at the trade fair. Volkswagen will be launching several electric vehicles in 2013. Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, and Luca de Meo, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, unveiled the study at the Volkswagen stand in Hall 15.

The zero-emission Milano Taxi is based on decades of experience at Volkswagen as a successful taxi manufacturer. The electric concept car designed for urban transport features a cargo area integrated in the taxi’s interior and individualized touch screens for driver and passengers. The Milano Taxi is powered by an electric motor with a peak output of 85 kW; energy is supplied from a lithium ion battery integrated in the underbody, giving a range of up to 300 kilometres.

Apart from electric traction, the continuous optimization of energy-efficient and low-emission vehicles powered by combustion engines is a firm part of Volkswagen’s sustainability strategy.