VW's EV Masterplan Expands Beyond Just Batteries
Volkswagen is in the middle of a turnaround strategy that will put the German brand back on track. Its grand plan was revealed earlier this year, with nine new models to be launched in the next few years. The all-new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP)is part of this movement, though various issues have plagued its rollout, including software issues related to Cariad. Now, VW has revealed an update about the SSP, and it's a major one that involves internal combustion engines.
After years of touting the SSP as its clean-sheet EV architecture, the German auto giant has revealed that SSP will also support internal combustion engines, though not in the traditional sense. Instead, VW is pivoting toward range-extending gas engines that generate electricity to charge batteries, not drive the wheels.
While VW may tout this as an evolution of the SSP architecture, the incorporation of a range-extender engine is more like a safety net for the brand. At this point, several automakers have already backpedaled from their all-EV push due to waning demand for BEVs. VW is one of them, and this is the company's solution.
The SSP architecture will still be fully electric at heart, but it will also accommodate range extenders. These are internal combustion engines used solely to generate power for the battery, with no mechanical link to the wheels.
Nissan's e-Power, which is reportedly reaching the US market, operates on the same principle as VW's SSP. The defunct Mazda MX-30 also got a similar upgrade with a rotary range extender, while VW Group's own Scout brand is also launching in the market with the same technology.
One of SSP's headline vehicles will be the ninth-generation VW Golf, which will be fully electric and will coexist with the current Mk8 Golf for several years. It's unclear whether there will be a range-extended version of the Golf, but we expect the model to arrive by 2029, so there is an allowance for adjustments to VW's plan.
In China, the world's biggest automotive market, Volkswagen already previewed the ID. Era concept, which features a gasoline-powered range extender. Of note, EV demand in China is also dropping, with range-extended EVs and plug-in hybrid gaining popularity.
Despite the expanded capabilities, VW doesn't expect this range-extended EV strategy to take hold everywhere. According to VW CEO Thomas Schäfer, Europe is unlikely to see SSP-based range extender models where plug-in hybrids remain the more viable option.
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