MEB: Platform for the future

The Volkswagen I.D. is the first model based on the company’s new MEB modular platform for electric vehicles.

Efficient production
The Volkswagen I.D., which goes into production at the end of 2019, is the first all-electric model based on the MEB platform. This versatile e-concept will be used to produce other battery-powered vehicles in the future. The MEB platform will be integrated into Volkswagen Group brands and also made available to other manufacturers. This will make electric vehicle production more cost-effective and affordable for many customers. The standardized platform strategy is not only a unique attribute at Volkswagen, it is also proof of the company’s determination to pave the way to e-mobility.

Consistently electric
In the past, Volkswagen e-vehicles were built on the MQB (Modular Transverse Matrix) platform. The company is now using the MEB platform to optimize the engineering and production of e-vehicles. MEB is consistently aimed at meeting the requirements of e-mobility. Design, axles, drivetrains, wheelbases and weight ratios are designed and planned to ensure that a vehicle is optimally equipped for electric operation. Many different factors were taken into account in the MEB concept. “MEB redefines the vehicle architecture and significantly improves the feeling of space inside the vehicle. Plus, all I.D. models feature fast recharging”, says Christian Senger, Volkswagen Group Head of Digital Car & Services.

MEB platform: The battery lies flat between the two axles to ensure even weight distribution. The wheels are positioned on the outside corners of the vehicle to open up more space in the interior and to accommodate different battery sizes.

The heart of the MEB is the high-voltage drive battery. At first glance it resembles a big chocolate bar: flat with individual modules and integrated into the floor. This creates additional space inside the vehicle. The length of an I.D. is similar to a VW Golf with interior space comparable to a Passat.

Large selection
The MEB platform serves as the technical basis for all models in the Volkswagen I.D. family as well as for the all-electric vehicles manufactured by other Volkswagen Group brands: Audi, SEAT, Škoda and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Thus, the MEB platform can be found in five brands and in three world regions, covering the entire spectrum from compact cars to SUVs and vans.

The selection of MEB models will be similar to the range of vehicles built on the MQB (Modular Transverse Matrix) platform. This currently extends from the Polo and T-Cross to the seven-passenger Volkswagen Atlas SUV built in the USA. The MEB platform is also suitable for compact cars as well as for large B-segment models with up to seven seats. With the Volkswagen I.D. BUZZ concept car, the company is planning to build an all-electric van based on the legendary Microbus design.

A new driving experience
Volkswagen electric vehicles are already quiet and comfortable with powerful acceleration. These strengths will become more well-defined in future MEB-based vehicle generations. Full torque from a standing start with rear-wheel drive for quicker acceleration and – thanks to the battery’s low placement – optimized driving characteristics with better digital functions.

Longer range
The MEB models will be available with different battery capacities for a range of more than 550 kilometres (342 miles). For this purpose, the Volkswagen Group Components division has developed a completely new battery system that is less complex and much more powerful than today’s solutions.

One of the advantages of the MEB system compared to conventional batteries is its scalability. This means it can be integrated into I.D. models with different performance levels. For example, an I.D. owner who primarily uses the vehicle for city driving and requires less range can order a battery with a lower energy rating. Owners who drive longer distances can opt for a larger battery.

Other benefits with respect to vehicle range include the battery’s weight optimization, the adaptability of various cell types, and the integrated cooling system. The battery can be used to drive a single axle or both axles. With a layout of cell modules that resembles a chocolate bar, the battery is easy to assemble. Volkswagen also managed to increase the charging performance up to 125 kW – a rating that was previously unachievable in the I.D. segment. This accelerates the charging process and shortens the time required for recharging stops.