Ten electric Skoda Octavia estates are undergoing trials to gain experience with battery propulsion. The car is described by the company's CEO as a milestone in the firm's sustainability strategy and has been developed in cooperation with the Volkswagen Group.
The Green E Line is based on the Octavia Combi (estate) because of its suitability for accommodating the batteries, control equipment and electric motor. Power is 116hp while the maximum torque is 270Nm, available from standstill. Skoda claims a 0-100km/h time of 12 seconds and an 133km/h top speed.
Lithium-ion batteries are used, mounted partially under the rear floor and partly in the boot. The Octavia will still seat five people although Skoda hasn't said how much boot space, if any, is lost to the 315kg battery. With an energy capacity of 26.5 kilowatt hours the claimed range on a charge is 150 kilometres.
Although electric propulsion is part of the company's medium-term strategy internal combustion is far from finished. Skoda says there are still substantial fuel consumption and CO2 emissions savings to be obtained from refining its TDI and TSI engines.