MEB: These three letters are supposed to Volkswagen fundamentally change. the electric platform has been doing this for a long time at VW modular principle into modern times. Of the Modular electric drive kit (MEB) represents the basic structure of all future electric cars from Wolfsburg and the rest of the group. In addition to Volkswagen, Ford will also use the MEB in the future. The two automotive groups share the development costs, among other things. The people of Cologne are to receive 1.2 million platforms in six years. How To Cars explains the VW platform.
Vehicles: These e-cars are based on the MEB
The Group is presenting new fully electric vehicles piece by piece at the MEB. The list is still manageable, but it is constantly updated.
As with the modular transverse matrix (MQB), Volkswagen once again relies on one floor assembly modular structure and thus allows use in different vehicle classes. The core element of the MEB is the battery. Depending on the wheelbase different sized battery packs realize. The power storage is in one massive casewhich is intended to protect the chemical components in the event of an accident.
In the default configuration is just the rear axle with a electric motor equipped, the front axle can also be motorized as an option. The VW ID.Life study has a pure front-wheel drive with an MEB small car variant. With a mobile floor assembly that can be fitted with any structure, VW creates an enormous degree of freedom when designing new models.
Battery: 400 volt technology and pouch cells
The modular structure allows easy scaling to different vehicle classes.
Of the power storage is the Center of the MEB platform. In the VW ID.3, it enables one Range from up to 550 kilometers according to WLTP, the ID.4 has a range of up to 520 kilometers. The battery is composed of many Lithium Ion Pouch Cells. This type of battery cells is also used in notebooks and mobile phones. The individual cell is the smallest unit of the battery. With the ID.3, for example, 24 of these cells are assembled into a module. The number of modules used varies depending on the vehicle, purpose and planned range. This structure allows VW to be flexible when designing the battery system for different vehicles. the tension in the system is up to 408 volts and is therefore significantly higher than that of a household socket.
The Enyaq is Skoda’s first offshoot on the MEB platform.
Engine performance and battery capacity
So far, VW itself has only sold vehicles on the MEBwith rear wheel drive are equipped. Just Audi is already using with the Q4 e-tron at the market launch all wheel drive. Currently the Top performance in the Q4 50 e-tron quattro at 220 kW (299 hp), the Skoda Enyaq RS iV should even maximum 306 hp can afford. Among them there are versions with less power. There are also various options on the corporate shelf when it comes to the capacities of the battery. It is difficult to name exact values because of the modular structure. At the moment, however, the VW Group offers Battery sizes between 45 kWh and 82 kWh (Skoda Enyaq iV).
Further development for a range of up to 700 km
But that shouldn’t be the end of it. Apparently VW is working on a further development of the MEB, which should enable a range of up to 700 kilometers. According to a presentation at the UBS Paris Electric Car Day on April 12, 2022, the maximum charging power could also increase from 170 to 200 kW, as much as the Tesla Model 3 or the Mercedes EQS. In addition, the revised version should be able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds.
The electric sedan VW Trinity should come in 2026 – then with a further developed MEB and a range of 700 kilometers?
Electric motors: VW relies on permanent magnets
Volkswagen uses for its MEB in the first generation on the rear axle permanent magnet synchronous motors (PSM). With them, the rotor of the motor is provided with a permanent magnet. This type of electric motor is current the most common design in the automotive sector. Especially the small dimensions and the high efficiency from over 90 percent characterize this type of engine. In the MEB, the motor takes over part of the deceleration in addition to the drive. Vehicles on the platform use the recuperation of the engine for as many braking processes as possible. This protects the brakes and recovers power. The engine is also found power electronics. It is something like the brain of the drive, controlling the flow of electricity and converting the stored direct current into alternating current for the drive. 4WD models are supplemented by an asynchronous motor on the front axle. He can run along almost loss-free if he is not needed at the moment.
Charging: MEB is capable of fast charging
Vehicles based on the MEB can DC and AC charged will. At the wall box at home you can take the battery with you 11kW load; you use one fast charging station in the city or on the highway, are up to 125kW possible. If the ID.3 charges with 100 kWh, a range of up to 290 kilometers should be possible in around 30 minutes.
The battery of the MEB charges particularly quickly with direct current: Up to 125 kW are possible.
