TheVolkswagen Group MEB platform (German:Modularer E-Antriebs Baukasten, 'modular electric-drive toolkit')[1][2] is a modularcar platform forelectric cars developed by theVolkswagen Group and its subsidiaries.[3]
It is used in models ofAudi,Cupra,Škoda, andVolkswagen, along withFord through partnership. The architecture is aimed to "consolidate electronic controls and reduce the number of microprocessors, advance the application of new driver-assistance technology and somewhat alter the way cars are built"[4] by the VW Group.
The MEB platform is part of a Volkswagen strategy to start production of newbattery electric vehicles between 2019 and 2025.[4] In 2017, the VW Group announced a gradual transition from combustion engine to battery electric vehicles with all 300 models across 12 brands having an electric version by 2030.[5]
As of May 2018, the VW Group had committedUS$48 billion inelectric-vehicle batteries supplies[6] and announced plans to outfit 16 factories to build electric cars by the end of 2022.[7] The Volkswagen-branded production cars started to be assembled in VW'sVolkswagen Zwickau-Mosel Plant in Germany for the European market at the end of 2019, while two plants in North America and China started production in 2020 andChattanooga, Tennessee in 2022.[8] The Škoda-branded SUV Enyaq is produced in the Škoda plant inMladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, along with electric motors[9] and electric car batteries.[10]
As of November 2018[update], two types of the MEB platform were slated to be developed: one for passenger vehicles and one for utility automobiles that accommodate heavier cargo.[11] VW also stated that the platform would be available for procurement to competitor manufacturers.[12]
Ford Motor Company has a strategic partnership with Volkswagen for the MEB platform to benefit fromeconomies of scale. As of mid-2024, Ford is building MEB-based Ford Explorer vehicles in Cologne.[13][14]
In 2025, it was reported that the upcoming ID Every1 and ID.2 will be built on theMEB Entry platform.[15]
In 2018, VW announced that it is open to sharing the platform with manufacturers outside of the VW Group. In addition to the platform, VW also offered individual components as well astop hat development andcontract manufacturing.[35]
In late 2018, the companies announced talks about the sharing of technology.[36] In 2019, the planned volume was doubled from 600,000 to 1.2 million. Two models are planned to be produced by Ford, theExplorer EV and theCapri EV.[37]
In July 2020Fisker announced that it was in negotiations with VW about using the MEB for the plannedFisker Ocean, that was already unveiled in late 2019.[38][39] A month later, the negotiations were halted.
In October 2020, it was announced thatMagna Steyr will be assembling the vehicle using Magna's own EV technology.[40]
Mahindra announced in late 2022 that they intend to use MEB components for Mahindra's upcoming EV platform named "Inglo".[41] Mahindra planned to launch five vehicles based on the Inglo.[42]
The MEB platform is supported by the APP 310electric motor, which is apermanent magnet brushless motor. Fully developed by Volkswagen, the name "APP" derives from the arrangement of the motor and thegearbox in parallel with theaxle, while "310" references its maximum torque of 310 N⋅m (31.6 kg⋅m; 229 lb⋅ft). Maximum torque is achieved at a low engine speed, which means that a 1-speed gearbox is sufficient for the entire rotational speed range. Together with the gearbox, the motor weighs only around 90 kg (200 lb).[43]
The motor is produced at component sites inKassel, Germany andTianjin, China, while therotor andstator are produced in Italy by Eurotranciatura S.p.a..
The APP 550 was unveiled in April 2023 and delivers 550 N⋅m (56.1 kg⋅m; 406 lb⋅ft), as the naming scheme suggests. It is the same size as the APP 310. According to a press release the efficiency has been increased through an improved inverter.[44]
All-wheel drive models are equipped with an auxiliary front axle motor. This motor is a 3-phaseAC induction motor. It is only used when needed for acceleration or handling. It is purchased from aMagna subsidiary.[45]
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