Skoda Elroq: How the Czechs Built an EV Cheaper Than VW ID.3

When Skoda Got the Assignment: "Build an EV for €35,000"

October 2024. Prague. Skoda reveals the Elroq to the world – the Czech brand's first EV designed according to the new Modern Solid design language. The flying arrow logo is gone from the hood – replaced by the "SKODA" lettering.

But the real revolution isn't happening in the design. It's happening in the price.

Skoda Elroq 50 (52 kWh, 170 HP) costs 149,900 PLN (€35,000). That's less than VW ID.3 (€38,000), less than Tesla Model 3 (€50,000), and only slightly more than Citroen e-C3 (€25,000).

How did Skoda achieve this? By using Volkswagen's MEB platform – the same one that underpins the VW ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, Cupra Born, and Audi Q4 e-tron.

But Elroq isn't just another ID.3 clone. It's better equipped, cheaper, and more practical. Plus, it offers three battery options – 52 kWh, 59 kWh, and 77 kWh. And a new RS version with an 84 kWh battery and 340 HP.

How is this possible?

The MEB Platform – How Volkswagen Learned to Share

Volkswagen created the MEB platform (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) as a common base for all the group's EVs. ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, Audi Q4 e-tron, Cupra Born, Skoda Enyaq – all ride on MEB.

MEB platform advantages:

1. Battery under the floor → lower center of gravity
2. Long wheelbase → more cabin space
3. Rear-wheel drive → better traction and performance
4. 4x4 option → second motor up front

Skoda Elroq is the sister model to VW ID.3, but:

1. It's 4.49 m long (17 cm shorter than Enyaq, 10 cm longer than Karoq)
2. Trunk: 470 liters (vs. 385 l in ID.3)
3. Wheelbase: 2.77 m (same as ID.3, ID.4, ID.5)

Key difference: Skoda Elroq has a more traditional SUV silhouette, while VW ID.3 is a hatchback. This means:

1. More trunk space
2. Higher driving position
3. Better rear passenger comfort

Three Batteries, Four Motors – How Skoda Covers the Entire Market

When Skoda unveiled the Elroq, it offered four powertrain versions:

1. Skoda Elroq 50 (52 kWh) – for the budget-conscious

1. Battery: 52 kWh (net)
2. Motor: 170 HP, rear-wheel drive
3. WLTP range: 362-375 km
4. DC charging: 140 kW
5. 0-100 km/h: 9.0 s
6. Price: from €35,000

Elroq 50 is the most affordable version. The 375 km range is enough for:

1. Daily commute (<100 km/day)
2. Weekend trips up to 250 km (one-way without charging)

The problem? 375 km range isn't enough for longer trips (>500 km). But if you're looking for an affordable city EV – Elroq 50 is a hit.

2. Skoda Elroq 60 (59 kWh) – the golden mean

1. Battery: 59 kWh (net)
2. Motor: 204 HP, rear-wheel drive
3. WLTP range: 430 km
4. DC charging: 165 kW
5. 0-100 km/h: 8.5 s
6. Price: from €38,000

Elroq 60 is the most versatile version. The 430 km range is enough for:

1. Daily driving without frequent charging
2. Weekend trips up to 350 km (one-way without charging)
3. Trips >500 km with one DC stop

Key difference: Elroq 60 costs €3,000 more than Elroq 50, but you get:

1. 55 km more range
2. 34 HP more power
3. 25 kW faster DC charging

Worth the upgrade? Yes – if you drive >100 km/day or plan longer trips.

3. Skoda Elroq 85 (77 kWh) – for demanding drivers

1. Battery: 77 kWh (net)
2. Motor: 286 HP, rear-wheel drive
3. WLTP range: 560-580 km
4. DC charging: 175 kW
5. 0-100 km/h: 6.7 s
6. Price: from €45,000

Elroq 85 is the version for high-mileage drivers. The 580 km range is enough for:

1. A week of driving without charging (500 km/week)
2. Weekend trips >500 km without charging
3. Trips >800 km with one DC stop

The problem? The €45,000 price is €10,000 more than Elroq 50. Is it worth it? Depends on your mileage:

If <150 km/day → Elroq 60 is enough
If >150 km/day → Elroq 85 pays off

4. Skoda Elroq 85x (77 kWh) – sporty 4x4 version

1. Battery: 77 kWh (net)
2. Motors: 2x (front + rear), 4x4 AWD
3. Power: 299 HP
4. WLTP range: 560 km
5. DC charging: 175 kW
6. 0-100 km/h: 6.2 s
7. Price: ~€47,000

Worth the upgrade? Depends:

If you drive in snow and winter → 4x4 makes sense
If you only drive in the city → RWD is enough

5. Skoda Elroq RS (84 kWh) – Skoda's fastest electric SUV

1. Battery: 84 kWh (79 kWh net)
2. Motors: 2x (front + rear), 4x4 AWD
3. Power: 340 HP
4. WLTP range: 549 km
5. DC charging: 185 kW (fastest in the lineup!)
6. 0-100 km/h: 5.4 s
7. Price: from €51,000

Elroq RS is Skoda's fastest electric SUV – faster than Enyaq RS (6.5 s). The 5.4 s acceleration matches sports cars.

Is Elroq RS worth buying? If you're looking for a sporty electric SUV for <€60,000 – it's the best choice. The competition (Tesla Model Y Performance, Polestar 3) costs similar or more, but Elroq RS has better equipment and more practicality.

AC Charging – How to Charge Elroq at Home

All Elroq versions have an 11 kW onboard charger (3-phase). This is standard in the class – VW ID.3, ID.4, Kia EV3, Hyundai Ioniq 5 also have 11 kW.

AC charging times (11 kW):

1. Elroq 50 (52 kWh): ~5 hours (0-100%)
2. Elroq 60 (59 kWh): ~5.5 hours (0-100%)
3. Elroq 85/85x (77 kWh): ~7 hours (0-100%)
4. Elroq RS (84 kWh): ~8 hours (0-100%)

What does this mean practically?

If you have a 3-phase 16A installation (CEE red socket) and a Q11 or P11 charger, you can charge at 11 kW.

Practical scenario:

1. You return from work at 6 PM with 30% battery (~174 km range in Elroq 85)

2. You plug the car into Q11

3. At 11 PM you have 80% battery (~464 km range)

4. At 1 AM you have 100% battery (~580 km range)

Elroq is built for home charging. If you have parking and socket access – this EV is ideal.

DC Charging – How Elroq Performs on Road Trips

Elroq charges at DC stations with power from 140 kW to 185 kW (depending on version).

Maximum DC charging power:

• Elroq 50 (52 kWh): 140 kW; Elroq 60 (59 kWh): 165 kW; Elroq 85/85x (77 kWh): 175 kW; Elroq RS (84 kWh): 185 kW

DC charging times (10-80%):

• Elroq 50: ~25 minutes; Elroq 60: ~26 minutes; Elroq 85/85x: ~28 minutes; Elroq RS: ~26 minutes

How does this look in practice?

Testers from Auto Katalog drove Elroq 60 on highway routes:

1. Charging 10-80%: ~30 minutes (temperature 15°C, preheated battery)
2. Maximum charging power: 107 kW (planned 165 kW, but charger malfunctioned)

The problem? Elroq has a 400 V architecture (not 800 V like Kia EV3 or Hyundai Ioniq 5). This means:

Slower charging than 800 V competition

Longer stops on trips >800 km

Practical example:

• Warsaw → Gdansk (350 km): one 25-minute stop (Elroq 85)

• Warsaw → Zakopane (500 km): one 30-minute stop (Elroq 85)

• Warsaw → Berlin (1000 km): 2-3 stops of 30 minutes each (Elroq 85)

Is this a problem? Depends on your needs:

• If you mostly drive in the city and vicinity (<300 km) – no problem

• If you do long trips >800 km weekly – consider Kia EV3 or Hyundai Ioniq 5 (800 V, faster charging)

Which Ampere Point Charger to Choose?

Since Elroq accepts 11 kW AC, the sensible choice is:

Q11 or P11 – 11 kW mobile chargers ⭐

1. ✅ Full utilization of Elroq's onboard charger (11 kW)
2. ✅ Charge Elroq 85 (77 kWh) in ~7 hours
3. ✅ Both are portable – take them with you
4. ⚠️ Requires 3-phase 16A installation (CEE red socket)

Difference Q11 vs P11:

1. Q11 – with adapters, can be used with different sockets, has mobile app
2. P11 – sturdier with screen display, 16A socket

If you can't decide: Choose Q11 with adapters – maximum flexibility.

👉 Q11 – Portable Charger 11 kW

👉 P11 – Portable Charger 11 kW

Battery Degradation – How Elroq Holds Up Over Time

Elroq is a new model (2024 debut), so we don't have long-term degradation tests yet. But we can look at Skoda Enyaq – Elroq's bigger brother on the same MEB platform.

Data from Skoda Enyaq tests (2020-2024):

• Degradation after 100,000 km: ~6-9%

• Degradation after 4 years: ~8-12%

Elroq uses the same NMC batteries as Enyaq, so we can expect similar durability:

• Degradation after 100,000 km: ~6-8%

• Degradation after 8 years: ~10-12%

How to slow degradation?

1. Charge to 80% daily (not 100%)

2. Avoid DC fast charging >80%

3. Park in shade in summer (avoid battery overheating)

4. Charge slowly daily (11 kW better than 175 kW)

Elroq in Winter – How Much Range Does It Lose?

EVs lose range in winter – that's a fact. But Elroq has a heat pump as standard (in all versions), which significantly reduces losses.

Elroq 85 (77 kWh) range in different conditions:

• City (summer, 20°C): 600-650 km real

• Mixed routes (summer, 20°C): 520-560 km

• Highway 120 km/h (summer): 450-500 km

• City (winter, -5°C, with heat pump): 450-500 km

• Highway (winter, -5°C, with heat pump): 350-400 km

Elroq loses ~20-25% range in winter (with heat pump). This is a better result than most competition (VW ID.3 loses ~30%, Tesla Model 3 ~25%).

Elroq vs Competition – How Does It Compare?

Elroq wins in:

✅ Spaciousness (470 l trunk vs. 385 l in ID.3)

✅ Practicality (high driving position, SUV)

✅ Equipment (heat pump standard)

✅ Price (cheaper than ID.4, comparable to ID.3)

Elroq loses in:

❌ DC charging speed (175 kW vs. 250 kW in Tesla)
❌ Range (580 km vs. 605 km in Kia EV3)

Elroq – Who Is This Car For?

Skoda Elroq is an EV for families and those who value practicality, perfect as:

Family car – spaciousness, 470 l trunk, 580 km range

Company car – low operating costs, long range

Long-distance car – 580 km range + fast DC charging

Elroq is NOT for:

Those seeking a sporty EV (choose Elroq RS)

Those without home charging access

Those expecting ultra-fast charging (like Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5)

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which version to choose – 50, 60, or 85?

Elroq 50 (52 kWh) – if you drive <100 km/day, seeking affordable EV
Elroq 60 (59 kWh) – if you drive ~100-150 km/day, this is your only car ⭐
Elroq 85 (77 kWh) – if you drive >150 km/day, take long trips

3. Is Elroq RS worth the price?

Yes – if you're looking for a sporty electric SUV. Elroq RS (340 HP, 5.4 s) costs €51,000 – similar to Tesla Model Y Performance, but:

• Elroq RS has more space (470 l trunk vs. 363 l in Tesla)

• Elroq RS has better equipment (massage seats, DCC suspension)

• Elroq RS is Skoda's fastest electric SUV (faster than Enyaq RS)

4. What socket do I need for Q11/P11?

CEE 16A (3-phase) – so-called "industrial" red socket. Installation cost: €120-350.

6. Does Elroq have a frunk (front trunk)?

No – Elroq doesn't have a frunk. Rear trunk: 470 liters (max 1580 l with seats folded).

7. Can Elroq tow a trailer?

Yes – Elroq can tow a trailer up to 1000 kg (with brakes).

Summary

Skoda Elroq is one of the best compact EVs on the market – cheaper than VW ID.4, more practical than VW ID.3, and better equipped than most competition.

Best charger choice:

🥇 Q11 or P11 (11 kW) – for most users
⚠️ Only for 3-phase 16A installations

Key advantages:

1. Excellent range (580 km WLTP in version 85)
2. Spaciousness (470 l trunk)
3. Heat pump standard
4. Affordable price (from €35,000)
5. Trailer towing capability

⚠️ Remember:

1. DC charging only 140-185 kW (slower than 800V)
2. Choose Q11/P11 if you have 3-phase
3. Upgrade to version 85 if you drive >150 km/day

Sources

1. Auto Katalog - Skoda Elroq – wejście z przytupem
2. Wyborkierowcow.pl - Skoda Elroq (2025) – cennik, wersje
3. Elektrowoz.pl - Nowa Skoda Elroq RS: CENA od 219 200 zł
4. Auto Katalog - Nowa Skoda Elroq. Test w Polsce
5. Skoda.pl - Skoda Elroq (dane techniczne)
6. RP.pl - Nowy SUV Skody. Elroq z napędem elektrycznym

Buy a Charger for Skoda Elroq

👉 Q11 – Portable Charger 11 kW

👉 P11 – Portable Charger 11 kW

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