The Volkswagen Group’s electrification efforts are based on its Modular Electric Drive System (MEB) architecture. It underpins several vehicles within the group, and the automaker plans to improve the platform. In the coming years, MEB will become MEB+, offering more range and faster charging.
The automaker said it was making substantial investments to further develop the technology and “harness the full potential of this successful platform and ensure it remains competitive.” The scalable architecture gives VW the freedom to design vehicles. Placing the batteries in the underbody between the axles creates more space in the passenger compartment. The ID.3 offers the same interior as the Passat but in the dimensions of a Golf.
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According to the company, the upgraded MEB+ platform will offer up to 435 miles (700 kilometers) of range and be capable of charging speeds of 175 to 200 kilowatts. The architecture will achieve these numbers using the company’s next-generation unit cell batteries. VW will also improve the “digital infrastructure” of the platform, which the company says could bring “significant advances” to automated driving functions.
The number of MEB-based vehicles will also increase in the coming years. The automaker plans to launch 10 new models by 2026. The company plans cars for the performance and premium segments, but one of the new cars will be an entry-level model with a starting price of 25 €000 ($26,271 at today’s exchange rate). .
Volkswagen does not mention the scalable systems platform that was to underpin its Trinity model. Last month, a report surfaced alleging that the automaker had delayed the project until 2030 due to software issues and that the SSP architecture would not debut in 2026 as originally planned.
The MEB platform was first launched in 2019 with the ID.3. Today, more than 670,000 vehicles use the architecture, of which 500,000 are VW ID models. Audi, Cupra and Skoda also use the platform. VW Group hasn’t said when we should expect the new architecture to debut, so we’ll be keeping an eye out for new product launches from the company over the next few years.
