Shanghai (ZXZC)- Volkswagen Group announced its decarbonization program on the eve of Auto Shanghai 2019, saying China will play a key role in the group's global e-mobility transformation, thus an intensified roll-out of new energy models will take place this year.

Volkswagen Group aims to produce 11.6 million BEVs in China by 2028, more than half of the group's global target of 22 million units. Combined efforts with all three joint ventures in this country—FAW-Volkswagen, SAIC Volkswagen and JAC Volkswagen—will enable this objective to be realized.

“Volkswagen Group China is going full-scale electric in 2019. We will offer 14 NEV models in China this year, offering consumers unprecedented choices,” said Dr. Stephan Wöllenstein, CEO of Volkswagen Group China.

With construction processing on MEB platforms at SAIC Volkswagen in Anting, Shanghai and FAW-Volkswagen in Foshan, Guangdong, Volkswagen will have the technical capacity to produce an additional 600,000 BEVs per year in China after the two plants start operation next year. Besides, JAC Volkswagen is jointly developing its own electric car platform together with SEAT to manufacture small-sized NEVs.

The group said it has made outstanding achievements in lowering carbon emission. Last year alone, carbon dioxide emissions from its 33 China-based production plants were reduced by up to 390,000 tons.

Volkswagen thought that the future e-mobility focus will be on the provision of the necessary infrastructure, hence a new charging joint venture will be set up to bring greater freedom and recharging convenience for quickly growing number of Chinese car owners during their travels. The cooperation with Star Charge, FAW Group and JAC Motors will supply private charging wall boxes from the end of this year and a wide public charging network.

Moreover, the group's Mobility Asia will offer easier in-vehicle connectivity services that will allow drivers to find the most convenient charging stations.

In addition, Volkswagen Group plans to launch a number of new models this year, including 8 all-new SUV models such as the Volkswagen Teramont X and the Audi Q3—five of them will be locally produced—to meet consumers’ demands for the latest advances in connectivity, efficiency, safety and comfort.