Volkswagen MEB+ Platform Promises Up To 435 Miles Of Range, Improved Charging Times

Volkswagen promises serious upgrades to its MEB EV platform.

Lurking underneath the Volkswagen ID.4 and Europe-only ID.3 EVs, is the MEB platform. MEB is said to be the basis of many new EV Volkswagens, but it appears that VW wants the platform to do a little more. The company just announced MEB+, a revised version of the platform that promises up to 435 miles of range.

MEB+ develops on what the current MEB platform already offers, like the flexibility of battery size, and ability to underpin a varying number of shapes. For example, the US may only get the ID.4 compact crossover, but the same platform is used on a number of cheaper Skoda, SEAT vehicles in Europe and China. MEB can be used on luxury vehicles, too – the Audi Q4 E-Tron uses the MEB platform, too.

With the revisions, the MEB+ it seems like the new platform will serve even more market segments, particularly at the bottom of the market. VW plans on introducing ten more EVs, including a cheap EV, under 25K EUR. Charging times abilities have been improved too, with MEB+ cresting 175-200 KW. Much of the improved maximum range comes from new drive unit (motor) technology and a new battery design.

The actual specifics of VW’s new battery design aren’t known yet. It’s also unclear what will happen to Volkswagen’s SSA (Scalable Selectable Architecture), the modular platform meant to usurp MEB in the near future. Whatever the case, the first MEB+ platform cars should start making it to roads by 2026.

Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here