(Tue 04 May 10)

Volkswagen has unveiled its all-electric Golf blue-e-motion - with reasonable performance for a non-sporting hatchback and a potential range of over 90 miles - and at the same time confirmed its intentions for producing electric and hybrid vehicles over the next few years.

The first of these machines is the Touareg hybrid, which goes on sale this summer. A hybrid Jetta will follow in 2012, with hybrid Golf and Passat models coming along the following year.

2013 will also see the introduction of three blue-e-motion cars: first the Up!, and then the Golf and Jetta. 500 examples of the Golf will undergo testing next year, well in advance of the on-sale date.

Volkswagen boss Professor Dr Martin Winterkorn has pointed out that the Golf blue-e-motion - and indeed all electric cars - make environmental sense only if the energy used to drive them is derived from renewable sources. "Since automotive manufacturers do not have any influence on the types of power plants that are built, the federal government must ensure that eco-friendly energy sources are utilised," he says. "Only then will we experience a genuine transition to a new era."

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