Skoda Octavia Green E Line (2010): The brand’s first electric car
If asked what the Skoda brand's first electric car was, many would probably guess the Enyaq[1], which was launched in 2020. In terms of large series production, this may apply to the MEB SUV, which was the best-selling electric car in Germany in October 2024. However, Skoda was already addressing the topic of electromobility in 2010.
And in a way that reminds us of BMW[2] today. Take a car with an internal combustion engine and convert it to electric drive. On 29 September 2010, Skoda[3] sent out a press release that confidently stated:
"Skoda Auto is joining the vanguard of the electric car movement. At the 2010 Paris Motor Show from 2 to 17 October, the Czech manufacturer will be presenting the Octavia Green E Line concept study, the first vehicle with a purely electric drive. Skoda is thus once again demonstrating its innovative strength and technological expertise.
The deployment of an initial test fleet is already planned for 2011."
23 Skoda The company is committed to environmentally friendly mobility, it said.
The aim for the future is to drive without emissions. "The Octavia Green E Line perfectly embodies our brand values. It combines the desire for individual mobility with the goal of protecting our environment," said Skoda boss Winfried Vahland at the time. The Green E Line concept car was based on the then second-generation Skoda Octavia Combi.
Thanks to its modular floor assembly, the production model was "ideally suited" (original quote) for the installation of a battery, electronic control unit and electric motor. The electric motor delivered 82 PS in continuous operation, with a peak output of 115 PS. The maximum torque of 270 Nm was already available when starting off.
The Octavia Green E Line accelerated from 0 to 62 mph in "only" twelve seconds. The top speed was limited to 84 mph.
Photo by: Photo: Skoda Skoda Octavia Green E Line (2010)
The Octavia Green E Line drew its electrical energy from a modern lithium-ion battery. "With a range of 87 miles, it meets the requirements of most commuters in Europe," said Skoda at the time.
The battery consisted of 180 individual lithium-ion cells, each with a diameter of 150 mm and a length of 650 mm. It had an output of 26.5 kilowatt hours and weighed around 315 kilograms. The battery block was installed under the centre and rear vehicle floor and partly in the boot.
According to Skoda, this meant that the space available for the occupants and the boot volume were hardly restricted. Five fully-fledged seats were available for the passengers. The occupants had the same amount of space as in the conventional Octavia Combi with combustion engine.
Photo by: Photo: Skoda
Skoda Octavia Green E Line (2010)
The driver of the Octavia Green E Line was constantly provided with all the important information on current performance, consumption and battery charge status as well as the remaining range of the vehicle. The navigation system display also showed the current energy flow. This meant that the driver knew in every situation whether and how much power was currently being consumed or whether power was being recovered - for example when braking or coasting downhill.
The special drive system of the Skoda Octavia Green E Line at the time was also emphasised by its exterior appearance. The concept car was painted in the colour pearl white. Chrome elements at the front, rear and wheels emphasised the elegant and discreet touch.
The glossy black roof of the vehicle provided an effective colour contrast. This featured a panoramic glass roof with integrated photovoltaic elements.
Photo by: Photo: Skoda Skoda Octavia Green E Line (2010)
Photo by: Photo: Skoda
Skoda Octavia Green E Line (2010)
And what happened next? "Skoda is already planning to send an Octavia Green E Line test fleet onto the road in the course of 2011. The company expects this practical application to provide further insights for the further development of the electric drive," stated the press release from September 2010. In February 2012, the company reported back with news about the electric Octavia: "Skoda is intensively testing its electric vehicle fleet based on the recently presented ten SKODA Octavia Green E Line.
In the current phase, everything revolves around new findings from everyday operation. Now Skoda is also deploying one of the Green E Line electric vehicles at Prague Airport."
Photo by: Photo: Skoda Skoda Octavia Green E Line (2012)
It continues: "The everyday experiences are primarily used to fine-tune the electric vehicles.
In the next step, these will be made available to selected partners from the end of March 2012." "We are currently putting our fleet through its paces, because we want to provide the drivers of our vehicles with perfectly tuned vehicles. We make no distinction between production vehicles and test fleets," Petr Kristl, Head of Development Electromobility/Electric Traction at Skoda, was quoted as saying at the time.
"Before we make the cars available to our partners in a few weeks, we want to make sure that our Octavia Green E Line can easily cope with everyday use. The challenges include, for example, regular commuting to work or uneven city journeys," Kristl continued at the time.
Photo by: Photo: Skoda Skoda Octavia Green E Line (2010)
The test fleet of ten Octavia Green E Line vehicles was intended to provide Skoda with important customer-relevant findings for the further development of the electric drive through to series production.
These included solutions for the use or display of new functions, the positioning of the charging socket (!) and how the vehicle equipped with the quiet electric drive draws attention to itself acoustically. The test operation of the fleet comprised three phases: The first and second phases were primarily used for internal tests at Skoda: online diagnostic communication was trialled, as was the overall complex support for customer operations. In the upcoming third phase from the end of March 2012, the e-vehicles were then to be made available to external partners such as energy companies, educational establishments or authorities.
Nevertheless, it was to take another eight years and a diesel scandal before the Enyaq was ready. The statements from 2012 remain, which from today's perspective sound more like BMW: "The Czech car manufacturer's activities in the field of electromobility are an important part of its drive and fuel strategy. In the medium term, Skoda is assuming a mix of different drive types.
This also includes the further optimisation of the highly efficient TDI and TSI engines and their transmissions."
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