Volkswagen wants to improve the range of its MEB platform
This figure is based on the WLTP cycle, the EPA range could be closer to 560 kilometers
This could affect the ID.4 and the ID.Buzz
Volkswagen reportedly wants to increase the range of its MEB-based electric vehicles up to 700 kilometers (435 miles) according to the WLTP cycle.
The MEB platform is the specially designed architecture on which the brand’s electric vehicles are made. For now, only the ID.4 is sold in North America, but the ID.Buzz will join it shortly.
This announcement means that the long-wheelbase version of the ID.Buzz is likely to have a much longer range than anticipated and the ID.4 is expected to show improvements in this domain as well in the next few years.
Something to note: the 700 kilometers figure is based on the WLTP cycle used in Europe which is typically more permissive than the EPA testing methods favored on this side of the Atlantic. This means that the EPA range of these vehicles is likely to be closer to 560 kilometers (350 miles), which is still an increase of more than 140 kilometers (90 miles) over the current version of the ID.4 with the longest range.
The ID.Life and the Aero B, two new models that should arrive in 2025, are expected to benefit from these improvements, but only the more expensive Aero B is likely to have a range close to this new goal.
2022 Volkswagen ID.4 | Photo: Volkswagen Canada
In addition to the improved range, Volkswagen wants to increase the charging speeds and the performances of the vehicles equipped with this platform. To do so, the maximum charging rate will go from 125 kW to 200 kW, which will cut the time needed at a fast-charging station by a significant amount.
The increased performance will manifest itself with 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration times of around 5.5 seconds for vehicles equipped with the twin-motor all-wheel drive system. The current fasted model built on the MEB platform is the ID.5 GTX, a vehicle not sold here, which can do the sprint in 6.2 seconds due to its 299-horsepower drivetrain.
These changes will also affect Audi, since the Q4 e-Tron is based on the same MEB platform.
