Summary
- VW is moving towards a unified EV battery cell format to simplify and cut costs
- The new battery pack layout will have cells directly mounted into the pack for more energy density and lower weight
- This new format allows for more range and energy density in EVs along with potential for lower weight
- Flexible chemistry will allow for the adoption of multiple types of batteries including LFP and NMC, among others
- The unified cell format will enable VW to reduce the complexity of battery systems and cells, optimize battery costs, and lower entry prices for EVs corresponding to multiple markets
Article
Volkswagen is focusing on simplification in their electric vehicle (EV) battery design, with plans to use a single EV cell format that will be implemented in upcoming EVs from various brands under the Volkswagen Group. The new battery pack layout will have cells directly mounted into the pack housing, allowing for increased energy density and a lighter pack. This change will provide more flexibility in creating versions for different models and markets, ultimately resulting in EVs with more range and energy density, possibly at a lower weight. Multiple chemistries, including LFP and NMC, can be used on the same format, with the potential for future adoption of solid-state and sodium-ion chemistries.
The unified EV cell format developed by Volkswagen aims to reduce battery system complexity, optimize battery costs, and enable lower entry prices for the EV market. This format will be based on a global and uniform technology standard, allowing for economies of scale in production. The format also allows for the adoption of multiple chemistries, including NMC and LFP, as well as potential future developments in sodium-ion and solid-state batteries. Volkswagen has already produced over 100,000 cells at its Salzgitter location and has plans to expand production to other locations in Spain and Canada, with a target annual production of 40 gigawatt-hours.
Volkswagen’s Battery Management System will monitor cell voltage and temperature, providing better control over temperature in the new cell-to-pack battery layout. The new layout will allow for potentially longer packs with greater energy content, providing the opportunity for increased range in models like the ID. Buzz. The company plans to release more details on battery capacity, energy density, weight, and charging capabilities at the IAA Mobility 2025 auto show in Munich. The new battery pack is 400-volt, and VW is focused on cost-cutting to enable more affordable EVs.
As Volkswagen transitions to a single modular Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) and software-defined vehicle approach, the future may include new cell-to-body battery integration for improved design flexibility. The SSP is set to debut in the ID Golf around 2028, with a wide range of models using this platform in the future. It remains unclear how quickly Volkswagen will migrate its current MEB EVs to the new battery format or how hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles will fit into their future plans for North America. The focus on simplification and cost reduction will play a key role in Volkswagen’s efforts to expand their presence in the EV market and offer more affordable electric vehicles across different brands.
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