Latest news with #MEBPlus
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
VW Bets on Cheaper Batteries to Help Revamp EV Lineup Starting with ID.2
Volkswagen (VW) has scheduled a substantial refresh of its electric lineup starting in 2026 with the release of the ID.2 supermini, the automaker's first-ever model to use lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery tech that's less expensive than its current nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) packs, as first reported by Autocar UK. The VW Group's upcoming core EVs will segue from today's MEB platform into a new LFP battery platform named MEB Plus. LFP battery cells have slightly less energy density than NMC packs, but their production cost savings outweigh this energy discrepancy. The savings primarily stem from LFP batteries being less reliant on expensive materials like cobalt than NMC packs. New LFP cells also have higher thermal stability and a longer lifespan. After the ID.2's release, MEB Plus will make its way into VW models like the ID.3 hatchback, the U.S. market's ID.4 SUV, and the ID.7 sedan. Tesla was the first automaker to bring LFP batteries to the mass market with its Model 3 in China, followed by Ford's Mustang Mach-E. News of the MEB Plus platform is significant given VW's earlier struggles in the EV segment. These roadblocks included the ID.3 and ID.4 launches experiencing software glitches, interior material quality complaints from users, and a perception that the vehicles didn't match or surpass the value of competitors like Tesla. VW's new Salzgitter, Germany, factory will manufacture the upcoming LFP batteries alongside the current NMC packs until they're phased out. The automaker's CEO, Thomas Schäfer, told Autocar UK: "You can see this move towards LFP across the board, except for performance applications on the upper end. In the volume game, LFP is the technology." MEB Plus will revitalize VW's EV lineup until the company launches its delayed SSP platform, a multi-billion euro extension of the current MEB modular system, according to Battery Industry. VW's use of MEB Plus also marks the brand's first substantial shift into a new platform that's cheaper to make, enhancing its mass market prospects. While the ID.2 is the automaker's first direct entry into the affordable EV market, it likely won't make it to the U.S., where VW and other manufacturers face export challenges with tariffs and an Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that's on the verge of a substantial reorganization. Changes to the IRA could also slow the growth of U.S. battery production facilities, even if VW expands its U.S. manufacturing presence. Still, current and prospective U.S. EV drivers can look forward to cost reductions and possible range increases in models like the VW ID.4 SUV, along with GM's commercialization of LMR (lithium manganese-rich) prismatic battery cells that bring extended range electric trucks through more accessible pricing. Like VW's LFP battery tech, GM's LMR cells are less reliant on cobalt, which has introduced ethical dilemmas in addition to higher costs. Cobalt mining has exposed local communities, primarily the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to toxic metals while contributing to environmental degradation. The Democratic Republic of the Congo produces about 70% of the world's cobalt supply. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
NZ Autocar
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Volkswagen EVs will use LFP batteries from 2026
All electric Volkswagens will move to an updated platform from next year, ushering in lithium ion phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry that promises to reduce costs. Volkswagen is another major electric car maker to move to LFP battery chemistry. The first to use this will be the ID 2 supermini, due next year. The reason is that it is cheaper to produce than NMC packs, is almost as energy dense and the batteries can recharge to 100 per cent without undue degradation over time. After that, the rest of Volkswagen's ID models will utilise this updated platform (MEB Plus), and adopt the LFP chemistry. This type of battery pack is quickly becoming the one to have because technological developments have increased its range potential while preserving a cost advantage over NMC packs. Tesla followed BYD in bringing the technology to mass production, with the Model 3 in China. Ford also went down the LFP route with the Mustang Mach-E and now other volume car makers like Volkswagen are embracing this technology. It isn't subject to the thermal runaway afflicting NMC battery technology either. Volkswagen CEO, Thomas Schäfer, told Autocar UK: 'The upgrade to MEB Plus comes next year, and we will roll out the cell-to-pack battery systems with LFP. 'That will be a major step forward in terms of cost for us. It's very important, and also in performance. 'We will come in with MEB Plus across the models, including ID 3, ID 4, ID 7. They will have LFP. 'In the volume game, LFP is the technology.' The battery factory for Volkswagen Group in Salzgitter, Germany. The LFP batteries are built at Volkswagen Group's new factory in Salzgitter, Germany. It will continue to make the existing NMC packs until they're phased out. While no LFP specifications are yet to hand, there is potential for the EVs to gain range while price falls. Well, to gain range at any rate. This technological overhaul will be accompanied by a design refresh of Volkswagen's ID line-up. R&D boss Kai Grunitz said last year this redesign will bring 'huge improvements' that show Volkswagen is 'going back to where we came from'. The new look is key to that. 'Design is your first touchpoint. That's what excites people.' He added that the question of whether it is electric or petrol doesn't matter with an iconic car.
Auto Car
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Volkswagen will overhaul its EVs with new underpinnings and cheaper batteries
Volkswagen will start moving all of its electric cars onto an updated platform from next year, ushering in a new type of battery chemistry that promises to reduce costs. The Volkswagen ID 2 supermini due to launch in 2026 will be the first model to use a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery that will be cheaper than the nickel-manganese cobalt (NMC) packs in the firm's current EVs. After that car launches, the rest of Volkswagen's ID cars will move onto an updated platform dubbed 'MEB Plus', which will see them adopt the same type of battery. LFP batteries have become more popular in recent years, as technological developments have increased their range while preserving their cost advantage over currently conventional NMC packs. Tesla was first to bring the technology to mass production, with the Model 3 in China, but Ford soon followed suit with the Mustang Mach-E and now other volume manufacturers like Volkswagen are embracing the tech. Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer said: "The upgrade to MEB Plus comes next year, and we will roll out the cell-to-pack battery systems with LFP. That will be a major step forward in terms of cost for us. It's very important, and also in performance. "We're very happy with that. It's all in plan. We'll come in with MEB Plus across the models, including ID 3, 4, 7 - they will have LFP. "You can see this move towards LFP across the board, really, except for performance applications on the upper end, but in the volume game, LFP is the technology." "It will start with ID 2, and then roll out through the models." The LFP batteries will be supplied by the VW Group's new battery factory in Salzgitter, Germany, which will also build the current-generation nickel-manganese cobalt packs on a smaller scale, until they are phased out. The company has yet to confirm any specifications for the new batteries, but there is potential for the EVs to gain range while reducing in price. This technological overhaul will be accompanied by a wide-reaching design refresh of Volkswagen's electric line-up, as previously reported by Autocar. R&D boss Kai Grunitz said last year this portfolio redesign will bring "huge improvements" that show Volkswagen "going back to where we came from", and now CEO Schäfer has outlined just how important it is to bring a new look. "Design is your first touchpoint. That's what excites people," he said.
