What did you find most inspiring about the development work on the ID. family?
We really grew together as a team on this project, as the ID. family is not a further development, but a totally new development. The first drawings we came up with in concept development were on a virtually blank sheet of paper. I find it most exciting to see how our initial ideas have developed into such a pioneering car.
At what point did you realise that electromobility for everyone was on the verge of a breakthrough?
When, during development, it was consistently possible to achieve a range of over 500 kilometres with the big battery (77 kWh). That is a really great result, as I can now easily and comfortably do long journeys with the ID.3. If the charging infrastructure can now follow suit, then e-mobility will soon win people’s confidence.
In detail: What technology do you find the most fascinating in the new ID.3?
What I really find fascinating is the power of the electric drivetrain. Full torque from the word go makes the lightning-quick start when you put your foot down an absolute delight.
Considering the entire project, what was the biggest challenge you faced?
We first conducted research on cars within the group, and looked particularly closely at the e-Golf. How is its platform achieved? What is its battery like? It soon became clear to us that we needed to take a new approach, in order to produce at lower costs and to provide scalable battery systems. From that point, the biggest challenge was integrating the high-voltage battery as compactly as possible in the underbody of the car. The result is a large battery, shaped like a bar of chocolate and installed perfectly in the car underbody.
What have you, personally, gained from the project?
I would now also consider having an electric car. With a 90-kilometre commute to and from work each day, I used to be sceptical about e-mobility. Generally speaking, I am impressed with the dynamic driving characteristics of battery-powered vehicles.
What are the technical features that make the modular electric drive matrix the only one of its kind in the world?
Behind the MEB architecture is our modular platform strategy, which allows many different models and chassis shapes, including for other brands within our group. This means that our customers benefit from an abundance of new and affordable electric cars.