Skoda announces first all-electric SUV

Skoda has announced the name of its first electric SUV, Skoda Enyaq.

The characteristic ‘Q’ of Skoda’s SUV family is added to the Irish name ‘Enya,’ meaning source of life. The Czech car manufacturer is taking a plunge into the new era of electromobility, which the ‘source of life’ symbolises.

The Skoda Enyaq is its first series-production vehicle based on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Electrification Toolkit (MEB). It plans on launching more than ten electric models under the Skoda iV sub-brand by the end of 2022.

By 2025, Skoda says it expects all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid models to account for a quarter of its sales.

Skoda New Zealand general manager Rodney Gillard told Stuff there is a strong chance the electric SUV could be on sale in the country within the next two years.

He says nothing has been confirmed, but Skoda New Zealand and Skoda Auto are working together towards electricfication.

“The appetite for electric in New Zealand is strong,” Gillard said to Stuff. “It will change the face of Skoda. They are very keen to help us achieve that. They are definitely in partnership with us to get electric.”

The Enyaq goes on sale in Europe at the end of 2020.