Volkswagen has unveiled its latest electric vehicle, the ID EVERY1, a small four-door hatchback that will be the first to feature software and architecture from Rivian, a US-based EV maker. The ID EVERY1 is expected to go into production in 2027 with a starting price of 20,000 euros ($21,500), making it an ultra-affordable option for the European market.

The ID EVERY1 is part of Volkswagen's new category of electric urban front-wheel drive cars, developed under the "Brand Group Core" that comprises the volume brands in the VW Group. The vehicle will be powered by a newly developed electric drive motor with 70 kW and will have a top speed of 130 km/h (80 miles per hour). The range on the EVERY1 will be at least 250 kilometers (150 miles), making it a suitable option for urban dwellers.

The ID EVERY1 will be the first model in the entire VW Group to use a "fundamentally new, particularly powerful software architecture," according to Kai Grünitz, member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management responsible for Technical Development. This means that the vehicle can be equipped with new functions throughout its entire life cycle, allowing customers to individually adapt their car to their needs even after purchase.

The partnership between Volkswagen and Rivian is a significant one, with the two companies forming a 50-50 joint venture called Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies. The joint venture will reduce development costs and help scale new technologies more quickly, providing Rivian with a much-needed influx of cash and the opportunity to diversify its business. Volkswagen, on the other hand, will gain access to next-generation electrical architecture and software for EVs, helping it to better compete in the market.

The joint venture will be led by co-CEOs, Rivian's head of software, Wassym Bensaid, and Volkswagen Group's chief technical engineer, Carsten Helbing. The team will be based initially in Palo Alto, California, with three other sites in development in North America and Europe.

The ID EVERY1 is just a concept for now, but it represents a significant step forward for Volkswagen in its goal to become the world's technologically leading high-volume manufacturer by 2030. "The ID. EVERY1 represents the last piece of the puzzle on our way to the widest model selection in the volume segment," said Thomas Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management, Volkswagen AG, Brand Group Core and CEO, Volkswagen Brand. "We will then offer every customer the right car with the right drive system–including affordable all-electric entry-level mobility."

The ID EVERY1 will be followed by another EV, the ID.2all, which will be priced in the 25,000 euro price category and will be available in 2026. The ID.2all will be based on the E3 1.1 architecture and software developed by VW's software unit Cariad.

The partnership between Volkswagen and Rivian is a significant development in the EV market, and the ID EVERY1 is an important step forward for the German automaker in its goal to become a leading player in the electric vehicle space.