As a premium mid-size sedan, the German manufacturer presented the next generation that will top the list of electric vehicles, where little by little VW is positioning itself as one of the most solid globally, where in 2021 it took over 11% of the market.

With almost 5 meters long, being still a concept, Volkswagen delved into the aerodynamic section intensely after drawing deep and continuous lines that begin at the front grille and slide over the entire structure to finish at the rear, achieving a coefficient of 0.23.

The windshield provides a racing look, as if it were an airplane cockpit or futuristic vehicle, strengthening the concept of “next level” with respect to electric cars. This sensation can be appreciated from the front, since from the side the design resembles a car much more than an aircraft.

Related Content:Volkswagen to Overtake Tesla by 2025, German Brand Says

Another Step Toward Full Electrification

Aesthetically, it will sport 22-inch wheels flush with the wheel arches, with a paint for the entire bodywork called Polar Light Blue Metallic. In addition, one of the most striking details is the replacement of the door handles with tactile surfaces, increasing the futuristic feel and contributing to a lower resistance to the wind flow.

Volkswagen claims that this vehicle will be global in scale, available for the Chinese, European and U.S. markets, representing the German brand as a worthy successor to the ID.4 in terms of popularity and global reach.

The ID.AERO will have a range of more than 600 kilometers thanks to a powerful 77 kWh battery, and is expected to reach the market in 2023, as part of Volkswagen’s offensive to position itself in the market as a benchmark in electric models.

Finally, a vehicle of these characteristics will strengthen the zero emission plans established as mandatory for 2050, being sustainable, elegant and powerful, where these features are ideally combined to seduce potential customers.

The post Volkswagen ID.AERO: A Worthy Rival to Compete with the Tesla Model 3 appeared first on Green Racing News.

Such addition is named Volkswagen ID.4MOTION, which derives from the ID Pro Performance, being able to offer up to 195 kW of power, which translates into 265 horsepower with motor power output of 150 kW, in part, thanks to the new traction section that the German company added.

“With the ID.4 Pro 4MOTION we are meeting customer wishes and the demand for an additional model with an all-wheel drive system. It is positioned exactly between the efficient and comfortable ID.4 models,” said Silke Bagschik, Sales and Marketing Director for the ID range.

Related content:Volkswagen to Overtake Tesla by 2025, German Brand Says

Better Performance

While it is a family vehicle and not at all aesthetically rustic, the Volkswagen ID.4MOTION will be able to tow up to 1,400 kilograms thanks to the new all-wheel drive system, increasing 200 additional kilograms over the original performance. Also, it has the power to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.

The car specifically features two motors, one synchronous and one asynchronous. The synchronous power unit is located on the rear axle, allowing for high power density, efficiency and constant power output, while the asynchronous is located on the front axle to deliver 80 kW, noted for its low drag losses and short duration overload capacity.

The battery has the capacity to offer up to 517 kilometers of range as a consequence of the 77 kWh net, with maximum charging capacity of 135 kW, restoring energy from 5 to 80% in 36 minutes, generating enough power for the Volkswagen ID.4 to reach 180 km/h.

Volkswagen ID.4 in Numbers

The Volkswagen Group has managed to position the Volkswagen ID.4 as one of its strongest models since its release. It was launched in the spring of 2021, where it quickly gained popularity to record 163,000 units delivered worldwide.

Finally, during the first three months of 2022 it managed to market more than 30,000, ratifying the ID.4 as the German brand’s best-selling electrified model, fulfilling the commitment to reduce the carbon footprint by 2050 as established in the Paris Agreement.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post All-wheel Drive: A Highlight of the Volkswagen ID.4 appeared first on Green Racing News.

The brand began series production of the next electric SUVs, the Volkswagen ID.5 and its performance version, the ID.5 GTX, marking the next step in the “Accelerate” strategy, intended to drive the shift to electric mobility.

According to the company’s CEO, Ralf Brandstätter, at the plant that Volkswagen shares with China’s Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co, the company will produce 300,000 electric cars per year, starting operations in 2023. Coupled with the additional production of two other joint venture company complexes; one with FAW Group and one with SAIC Motor, this should bring total capacity to the 1 million mark.

“In the past, our approach was to develop in Germany and localize in China, but this approach will change significantly by establishing more local resources for R&D, especially for software, to be faster and more independent in China,” Brandstätter said.

Long-term Transformation

Volkswagen’s work to electrify operations has not happened overnight, as €1.2 billion has been invested over the past four years to adapt facilities for production. 

Related content: Ford Expands Investment with 20 Billion Dollars More to Accelerate Electrification

To achieve the transition, the manufacturer has carried out measures such as the expansion of workshops, construction of a new logistics building, modernized the facilities to Industry 4.0 and further upgraded automation with more intelligent robots and autonomous transport systems, which bring components to the assembly line without human intervention. 

In Debt

Despite ambitious goals corroborated by Volkswagen’s China chief Stephan Wollenstein, who said the automaker would like to double sales of their ID battery electric vehicles this year, but warned that shortages on semiconductor supplies could hamper their efforts.

The German giant sold 70,625 of its ID EVs in China last year, far short of target to sell between 80,000 and 100,000 cars, and production was also affected by regional outbreaks of COVID-19.

Written by I Jhonattan González

The post Manufacturing One Million of Electric Vehicles: The Ambitious Goal of Volkswagen for 2023 appeared first on Green Racing News.

These agreements include materials technology outfit Umicore; battery specialists 24M Technologies; and Lithium producer Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd. Volkswagen is looking to use these new partnerships to promote the production of its own battery cells for electric vehicles.

Volkswagen remains a major player on the global automotive scene, and the move towards electrification was accentuated by VW’s launch of the ID family of EVs, which has seen impressive sales globally over the past year.

Strategy Outlined

During the “Power Day” presentation earlier this year, Volkswagen outlined their roadmap for developing and producing in-house battery cell for electrified cars. This includes plans for six 40 GWh battery factories on European Union territory by 2030.

The German firm is now looking to follow through on these battery targets, with the help of some new strategic partnerships. In addition, it will develop cells with the help of experts.

Partnership Details

According to Volkswagen’s press release, this strategy includes three new but separate business arrangements.

The first is a joint venture with Umicore, a Belgium-based supplier of cathode materials that supports innovative projects such as the eskootr Championship. The company will assist VW throughout a supply chain regarding the manufacturing of battery cells for electric vehicles in Europe. This will start in 2025, with an initial production capacity of 20 GWh at Volkswagen’s gigafactory in Salzgitter, Germany.

Read also: Porsche Admits that Decision to Enter F1 Could Influence Continuity in Formula E

The joint venture is targeting an annual production capacity of 160 GWh by 2030. According to Volkswagen, the battery capacity translates into around 2.2 million BEVs.

In addition, Volkswagen has also invested at 24M Technologies, a U.S.-based battery startup that has redesigned the traditional cell using “semi-solid” Li-ion technology. Potential benefits of these unique cells include 40% less production area, more efficient product recycling, and less CO2 during battery production.

Finally, the Germans signed a long-term agreement with Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd., a European Lithium producer seeking to become the first to do so with net zero greenhouse gas emissions. 

The binding contract involves Vulcan providing VW with lithium hydroxide for a five-year period starting in 2026. Volkswagen has stated that this product will help secure future demands for in-house production of battery cells for electric vehicles in Europe.

Written by I Jhonattan González

The post The Volkswagen Plan for 2022: Partnership with Three Technology Giants to Develop Battery Cells appeared first on Green Racing News.

To date, the German company has made significant progress in this area, so much so that they have achieved a maximum charging power of 120 kW, and there is still a lot to be developed and discovered in the wireless charging sector.

The manufacturer is partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee to make this a viable reality. Tests and studies are being carried out at the Knoxville Innovation Center, owned by Volkswagen Group of America, where a multiphase electromagnetic coil with power electronics has been developed to make the system a compact method that will ultimately increase battery life due to its technology.

Charging networks and stations have become a real challenge for electric car manufacturers, so having an optimal system for energy replenishment is vital for the successful future of the new era of the automotive sector.

Related content: Volkswagen to have new laboratory dedicated to battery development

According to the company, before the study, charging speeds were very poor and the units were worryingly overheating. However, now there is 120 kW of power, which represents a great advance considering that previously only 6.6 kW were obtained.

However, the engineers working on this system want to increase that power and take it to 300 kW, which would fully recharge the battery of a Porsche Taycan in just 10 minutes, with no need for annoying cables and similar to what is obtained on current recharging points.

On the other hand, one of the biggest challenges has been to avoid the energy leakage that was being lost during the transfer from the device to the vehicle. Now, the margin has been reduced to only 2%, turning the Volkswagen Group’s system into a 98% efficient one.

Finally, the idea of the German manufacturer is to continue testing this technology on Taycan models, as they have done so far.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post Volkswagen Plans to Take Electric Vehicle Charging to the Next Level appeared first on Green Racing News.

What started as a concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show in 2017 has been translated into reality with the first test and trial model. Aesthetically, it looks like an ordinary van, sharing many things in common with the iconic Microbus line-up of the automaker’s iconic Microbus.

This model is scheduled to arrive by 2025, though it is still a few years away, VW is working hard to turn it into a totally safe means of transportation, not requiring the presence of a driver.

Volkswagen ID.Buzz is no longer a prototype, meaning that it is very close to reaching the final form in terms of technical and physical details. Aerodynamically, it has an interesting shape with slight slope at the front that extends upward with the gently curved roof until it flows into the rear area.

Related content: Volkswagen and Enel X form an alliance to install 3,000 ultrafast charging points in Italy

The Technology Behind the Volkswagen ID.Buzz

Argo AI has been a collaborator to optimize the autonomous driving of this vehicle and take it to the next level. A large number of sensors located throughout the van demonstrate this, something completely necessary to anticipate any movement or unforeseen event that may occur on the road.

Volkswagen wanted to cover as much ground as possible, therefore, all this high-end equipment and technology is capable of detecting objects present at more than 400 meters away, giving a wide enough margin to react to any vicissitude, or simply execute a regular command with complete peace of mind.

On the roof is a LIDAR scanner that provides 360-degree vision. However, it is not alone; there are also six smaller scanners complementing the work of the main one, along with 11 radar panels, cameras and microphones. All of this is intended to predict what actions might be taken by pedestrians, vehicles, motorized vehicles and cyclists.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post Volkswagen Tunes Up Details of an Autonomous Electric Van appeared first on Green Racing News.

Located in Salzgitter, the research and development center was created in order to significantly increase the range of electrified cars, with an investment of 70 million euros to produce battery cells on a large scale, putting an end to outside orders placed with other companies to satisfy this need.

The site is now fully operational. It was inaugurated on September 13 and was attended by Thomas Schmall, Director of Technology and Components at Volkswagen, who unveiled the project as the first step towards the extension of a larger complex, providing major sources of jobs for the region.

“With the new, state-of-the-art laboratories, we are further expanding our expertise in the development, process and production of battery cell, the heart of the electric vehicle. The Volkswagen site in Salzgitter demonstrates how the transformation of the German automotive industry from conventional propulsion systems to electric mobility can be successful,” said Schmall via an official brand statement.

The 2,500-square-meter structure will house various tests that will benefit or clarify the path to green mobility. Tests of up to 200 different analytical methods and development of new formulas allowing higher energy loads will be part of VW’s project.

Related content: Volkswagen Increases Production to 600,000 Battery Systems Per Year

A small batch of batteries intended for testing has already started its work line. However, major breakthroughs are expected by 2025, when production of battery cells at considerable volumes will begin, reducing the final price of electrified vehicles assembled by the German brand.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post Volkswagen will have a new laboratory for battery development appeared first on Green Racing News.

The expansion will double the plant’s output and, when fully accelerated, will be able to produce 500,000 modular electrically-driven battery systems (Modularer E-Antriebs-Baukasten, MEB in German) per year.

Volkswagen Group announced its MEB platform a few years ago as part of its aggressive approach towards electrifying its fleet. Now it has become the standard platform on which future Volkswagens and their electric vehicles will sit.

So far, drivers have seen the MEB capabilities in Audi’s ID.3, ID.4, and Q4 e-tron. Competitors such as Ford have also leveraged their relationship with VW to use the MEB platform in their smaller electric vehicles in Europe.

It may also interest you: Polaris updates its GEM Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) with new options

With Volkswagen’s announcement, it is clear that the brand has targets for EV sales and is creating the battery infrastructure to support them.

According to Volkswagen Newsroom, the Braunschweig facility was already operating at a capacity of 250,000 battery systems per year. This additional expansion now matches that output, doubling capacity to 500,000 battery systems per year specifically designed for MEB platforms.

“The strong demand for attractive and affordable electric models based on the modular electric drive matrix has the lines of the first expansion stage working at full capacity, so we have fired up the second stage,” said the CEO of Volkswagen Group Components and member of the Group’s Technology Board of Directors, Thomas Schmall.

Written by | Gabriel Sayago

The post Volkswagen increases its production to 600,000 battery systems per year appeared first on Green Racing News.

Volkswagen have set themselves the goal of lowering the cost of batteries, by up to 50% in their small electric cars and by up to 30% in high-volume and higher-segment cars. According to Thomas Schmall, a member of the Technology Council of the Volkswagen Group, this is one of the keys to making electric mobility finally “affordable and the dominant driving technology”.

The German firm pointed out that the price of batteries will be “well below” 100 euros per kWh.

This reduction in the cost of batteries will be possible thanks to the new unified cells that will be used with structural batteries. The new cell will be launched in 2023 and by 2030 they will be equipped in eight out of 10 Volkswagen Group electric vehicles (including all brands).

It may also interest you: Porsche made a profit of 4.2 billion euros in 2020

According to the German manufacturer, they will be able to save costs by optimizing the type of cell, applying innovative production methods and making intensive use of recycling. The most important source of savings will be the anode and cathode raw materials themselves, which will reduce the cost by 20%.

The cell design will save another 15%, while production will reduce the price by another 10% thanks to more efficient processes and economies of scale.

Production increase in Europe

The Volkswagen Group will give a strong boost to battery production in Europe to have a total of six cell factories in operation in the old continent by 2030, thus guaranteeing security and regularity in supply.

The first two factories will go into operation in Skellefteå (Sweden) and in Salzgitter (Germany). The Swedish factory, which Volkswagen will run in collaboration with Northvolt, will come into operation in 2023 and will concentrate the bulk of production, which will gradually expand to reach an annual capacity of up to 40 GWh.

In addition to the two mentioned, Volkswagen will build a factory in Western Europe (in Spain, France or Portugal, according to Thomas Schmall); another in Eastern Europe; and two more whose location has not yet been announced.

Written by | Gabriel Sayago

The post Volkswagen announces 50% cheaper batteries for electric vehicles in two years appeared first on Green Racing News.

Volkswagen group brands, which include Porsche and Audi, sold 192,000 fully electric cars or plug-in hybrids in the fourth quarter, compared to Tesla’s 181,000 all-electric models.

The Managing Director of Alix Partners, Nicolás Franzwa, said: “the e-car market is experiencing an unprecedented surge in demand worldwide, from which German car manufacturers in particular are also benefiting.

“Our study results impressively prove that they have now probably finally awakened and are putting their sales horsepower on the road in e-vehicles as well.”

Nicolás Franzwa

According to Alix Partners, Europe surpassed China as the world’s largest electronic car market with sales of 1.4 million in 2020, and the global share of electric cars in new registrations doubled in a year to almost 6 percent by the end of that year.

Both fully battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, also equipped with a combustion engine, generally count as “electric cars” in official and objective documents, but the non-plug-in hybrids do not.

Tesla only sells electric cars without a conventional motor, while plug-in hybrids also contribute to VW’s tally.

Many mobility advocates say that plug-in hybrids are not as clean as automakers say because many are often driven in combustion engine mode and are not charged.

This is reflected in Alix Partners’ ranking of the combined total electric range of all cars sold, where the Californian company remained the undisputed leader. Tesla sold cars with a combined range of about 100 million kilometers in the fourth quarter, compared to VW.

Written by: Jhonattan González

The post Volkswagen surpassed Tesla in electric car sales, according to study appeared first on Green Racing News.