VW could turn the Passat into an EV.

Volkswagen's current Passat, which sold more than 100,000 units annually in the U.S. when it was introduced in 2012, sold just 14,123 units last year. To stem the plunge, an executive has revealed that the company is considering turning the once-popular mid-size sedan into a battery-electric vehicle.

"[The Passat] is a car with a finite lifespan in our plans," Johan de Nysschen, chief operating officer of VW North America, told Roadshow in an interview published on February 6. 'It's probably a reasonable assumption that when this Passat finishes its life cycle, its successor probably won't have an internal combustion engine.'

This is something VW has already hinted at with the ID Vizzion and ID Space Vizzion battery-electric concepts, which preview potential redesigns of the Passat and Passat Wagon sold abroad. The ID Vizzion is already confirmed for production around 2022 and ID Space Vizzion will likely join it around that time.

These concepts are based on the Volkswagen Group's MEB modular EV platform, which, according to VW, has a range of up to 300 miles based on EPA test cycles, and can be charged to 80 percent capacity in just 30 minutes using a 150-kW charger. It can also be recharged to 80 percent capacity in just 30 minutes using a 150-kilowatt charger.

Given the low sales of the current Passat in North America, it is unlikely that VW will again develop its own version of the Passat for North America and the rest of the world.

Also, in a separate interview with Motor Authority published on February 7, de Nysschen hinted at adding a performance model to VW's lineup in the US. Currently, only the Golf GTI and Golf R satisfy enthusiasts.