---
title: "Volkswagen’s crazy-efficient EV borrows an idea from Slate"
description: "Volkswagen's new efficiency-minded halo car is almost twice as efficient as the most efficient production car, the Lucid Air."
author: "Tim De Chant"
section: ai-tech
published: 2026-09-15T03:45:13.354129+00:00
canonical: https://valorandventures.media/article/9aad4b6f-a40c-4f40-9cf8-0785e2ebdf61
publisher: "Valor & Ventures Media"
source: "TechCrunch"
source_url: https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/14/volkswagens-crazy-efficient-ev-borrows-an-idea-from-slate/
access: free
---

# Volkswagen’s crazy-efficient EV borrows an idea from Slate

*Volkswagen's new efficiency-minded halo car is almost twice as efficient as the most efficient production car, the Lucid Air.*

## Executive Summary

Volkswagen has introduced a new efficiency-minded halo electric vehicle that significantly pushes the boundaries of contemporary automotive engineering. According to a report by TechCrunch, this new vehicle achieves an extraordinary level of performance, reportedly operating at nearly double the efficiency rate of the Lucid Air, which has previously been recognized as the market's most efficient production vehicle. This development represents a major technological showcase for the legacy German automaker as it seeks to redefine performance standards and environmental metrics in the rapidly evolving transportation sector. The concept of a halo car is traditionally used by automotive manufacturers to demonstrate the absolute limits of their design and engineering capabilities, serving as an aspirational brand asset rather than a high-volume commercial product. By targeting extreme efficiency rather than traditional performance metrics like raw horsepower or acceleration, Volkswagen is aligning its flagship research and development efforts with broader global demands for energy conservation. The outlet notes that surpassing the Lucid Air—a vehicle widely celebrated for its highly optimized powertrain and aerodynamics—by such a substantial margin is a notable milestone, signaling a shift in how legacy manufacturers approach electric vehicle architecture. While specific technical details of the vehicle's design remain sparse, the project reportedly incorporates a unique conceptual approach, with the publication indicating that Volkswagen adapted an idea from Slate to achieve these efficiency gains. This crossover of ideas from outside traditional automotive engineering circles underscores a broader trend where car manufacturers must look to external sectors to solve complex energy-consumption challenges. By focusing heavily on maximizing the utility of every unit of power, the initiative demonstrates how modern automotive design is increasingly becoming an exercise in holistic systems integration and creative problem-solving. For business leaders, founders, and civic-minded executives within the Valor & Ventures Media community, Volkswagen's development offers key insights into the future of sustainable technology and corporate strategy. It highlights how established market leaders can leverage high-profile experimental projects to drive technological breakthroughs that may eventually influence mass-market consumer products. Furthermore, as industries face ongoing pressure to decarbonize, this milestone serves as a compelling case study in prioritizing efficiency and creative design over sheer battery scale, potentially shaping future supply chains and energy infrastructure expectations.

## Article

Volkswagen's new efficiency-minded halo car is almost twice as efficient as the most efficient production car, the Lucid Air.
— Tim De Chant · TechCrunch
Read the full report at TechCrunch: https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/14/volkswagens-crazy-efficient-ev-borrows-an-idea-from-slate/

## Citations

1. Claim: “Volkswagen's new efficiency-minded halo car is almost twice as efficient as the most efficient production car, the Lucid Air.” — [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/14/volkswagens-crazy-efficient-ev-borrows-an-idea-from-slate/) — Originating report.

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Originally published by TechCrunch: https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/14/volkswagens-crazy-efficient-ev-borrows-an-idea-from-slate/