VW’s Simplified BEV Drivetrain Claims 20% Efficiency Boost

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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22nd February 2023

Volkswagen says it has developed a bespoke drivetrain specifically developed for future BEV products.

The new drive system (Pictured left compared to previous system), coming from one source, claims to offer up to 20% increased efficiency plus cost advantages solely through the optimal combination of individual components. The pulse inverter is the brain of the electric drive train and is largely responsible for efficiency and performance. For the first pulse inverter to be under the corporate banner “designed by Volkswagen”, the developers of these core components redesigned the hardware and software from the ground up.

The automaker says that thanks to the modular toolkit principle, this can be implemented in everything from entry-level engines to sports cars with an output of over 500 kW and more in future. The technology is currently being developed for series production maturity and can already be used with the next MEB generation.

New solutions will see the current large number of individual modules and long hose connections replaced with a compact, integrated thermal module. This will control the entire air conditioning, including for the high-voltage battery, and so will have a major impact on the vehicle’s range and fast-charging capability. The new module is also significantly lighter, more robust and more efficient than current systems. In addition to efficiency, the main focus of the development of all central electric drive components is scalability because high economies of scale reduce costs.

Thomas Schmall, member of the Volkswagen Group board of management with responsibility for technology, said: “Our goal is to achieve technological leadership, also in electric mobility. That’s why here, too, we rely on our internal competencies and, after battery cells and electric motors, we are taking over the development of pulse inverters and thermal management systems. In future, this will make the Volkswagen Group one of the only car manufacturers in the world that’s able to offer a holistically optimized complete system.”

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_