Volkswagen Achieves EV Drivetrain Milestone
Volkswagen recently produced its 5 millionth electric drive unit. Photo courtesy Volkswagen AG
WOLFSBURG, Germany—Volkswagen Group recently produced its 5 millionth electric drive unit. The milestone represents VW’s commitment to electrification and vertically integrated manufacturing.
“Our global development and production network allows us to master all aspects of the electric drivetrain, accelerate innovation and ensure outstanding quality,” says Thomas Schmall, board of management member for technology. “In developing our first pulse inverter in-house, we are building up additional expertise and taking the ‘brain’ that controls the electric drive unit into our own hands.”
According to Schmall, VW’s most popular electric drive is the APP550, which is mass-produced at the company’s components plant in Kassel, Germany. “Despite having the same dimensions as the predecessor model, it consumes around 20 percent less energy, but increases torque and power by around 75 percent and 40 percent respectively,” he points out. “The APP550 delivers up to 240 kilowatt-hours and up to 560 newton-meters. The combined oil and water cooling system optimizes temperature control without requiring an additional pump.”
Volkswagen engineers also recently developed a pulse inverter that will play a key role in the automaker’s next-generation electric drive systems.
“[It] will have advantages over externally sourced inverters by allowing for faster product development, cost reductions and more independent production,” claims Schmall. “Using silicon carbide as a semiconductor material in the new APP290 electric motor will deliver noticeable benefits by increasing range and improving performance in everyday driving.”
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