Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO), Škoda Auto a.s.
Klaus Drives with Klaus Zellmer and Chemmy Alcot
Welcome to Klaus Drives where a British Olympian & the CEO of Škoda to share their love for EV vehicles.
About Klaus Zellmer
Klaus Zellmer, Chairman of the Board of Management at Škoda Auto, test-drove the new Enyaq RS iV electric SUV in June 2023. During the drive, Zellmer described the vehicle as a "full electric SUV with a sporty soul" and noted its 220 kilowatts of output, calling it "the most powerful production Škoda ever." He stated that the car accelerates from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.5 seconds, adding that it "feels like a sports car" while remaining functional for families. Zellmer also highlighted the vehicle's augmented reality head-up display, saying customers appreciate it because it allows drivers to receive navigation information without taking their eyes off the road. He remarked that Škoda customers "love to explore the world with the family" and need to feel safe, positioning the Enyaq RS iV as a companion for such exploration.
Transcript (19 segments)
K
Klaus Zellmer0:28
Hi CLA. Welcome to London. Thank you very much, thanks for having me. Do you fancy going for a coffee?
C
CLA0:33
Yes please.
Okay, come and be my passenger.
K
Klaus Zellmer0:42
I absolutely love this car. This car is actually the newest version of the Enyaq with a new software package. It's more intuitive. Personalization means you can set it up according to your personal preferences. We have a new processor, so it's faster in terms of processing language. The most recent version has a new battery system which creates more range and faster charging speed. The electric drivetrain is also more powerful. This is super efficient. You can drive for longer on a quicker charge. Absolutely incredible. That's a big benefit. Once you drive an EV, there's no looking back.
C
CLA0:58
Oh absolutely. The feeling of it, the power of it, the ease of charging. There are no barriers once you try it.
K
Klaus Zellmer1:01
So I hear you've been driving all across Europe in the Enyaq. How was that?
C
CLA1:04
It's absolutely amazing. I've actually done 12,000 kilometers in three months over this winter. The Enyaq is such a great family EV that can fit me, my two kids, and all the stuff I love to carry around.
K
Klaus Zellmer1:08
That's great to hear. So tell me about the slopes. How were the slopes this year in the Alps?
C
CLA1:11
I mean the conditions have been very challenging. I think the warming of the world has affected the mountains hugely. We're just seeing that there isn't a normal winter anymore. So all this is a strong reminder of us having to protect and preserve our planet, right? But it's also, for example, for my daughter. You know, I want to hand on a world that I can feel good about having helped to preserve and protect. Exactly. And that's what I'm committing to as a family and as a mother. I want to reduce our carbon footprint. And it's why I'm so honored to partner with Škoda. I am all about purpose over perfection.
K
Klaus Zellmer1:19
Yeah, you know, Škoda is a green brand and sustainability is part of our strategy. We call it the Next Level 2030 strategy. When we talk about sustainability, it has to cover the whole value chain. One of our production sites in the Czech Republic is already carbon neutral, and we're working on having all our production sites carbon neutral by the end of this decade. In Mladá Boleslav, our main production site, we have just commissioned photovoltaic modules that generate two gigawatt hours of electricity per year, which is enough to power 25,000 Enyaqs – exactly the one you're driving.
C
CLA1:27
So obviously I love the Enyaq, but where are you going? How are you expanding your fleet of EVs now?
K
Klaus Zellmer1:35
Obviously we're sometimes a bit shy about secrets. But of course, there has to be a smaller car than the Enyaq. This year we're going to reveal the Elroq, which is a shorter version with a new corporate design language. And then in the making is a small SUV, battery electric vehicle, that will be around €25,000. That's going to be the entry model for us into the BEV world. And then we have one more car that I can talk about, which you might like: it's a seven-seater, a big car, good for the Alps, good for long distance, good for lots of capacity for everything you want to take with your family into the mountains.
C
CLA1:41
Oh, now that's actually the vision, and I got a sneak peek of it. It was incredible, so futuristic. Going in and seeing how the seats could change direction. I think you can fit a family of seven in one car. The surfacing is so tidy, and the reusable rubber base. It was absolutely iconic. That car. And I think 2026 will be ready?
K
Klaus Zellmer1:45
Yeah, yeah, 2026 is what we aim for.
C
CLA1:45
So CLA has definitely put my name down for the vision. But I do love how my Enyaq drives in the snow. Will it be as good?
K
Klaus Zellmer1:47
Oh absolutely. It'll come in 4x4, like most of our models come with 4x4. Perfect for your driving profile in the mountains.
C
CLA1:50
I actually find the silence of driving an EV in the mountains incredible for my creativity. I've actually written about 80% of a book that I'm writing on fear in my Enyaq.
K
Klaus Zellmer1:52
Wow, what a good idea. Maybe I should be thinking about writing a book. Definitely when I drive. But then, you know, looking at you and you being an Olympian, your book might sell a lot more copies than mine.
C
CLA1:55
I disagree. You make amazing cars. Oh, okay, we've both got something going for us. Class, that's true. It's been amazing speaking to you. Thank you so much. Thanks for having me. Thank you very much.