How Volkswagen built 5 million electric drive units and why it matters

Europe’s biggest carmaker, Volkswagen Group, has built 5 million electric drive units. The milestone shows how fast the company is scaling its EV push.

Growth in Electric Drive Units and MEB Platform

Four plants helped reach the goal; Kassel, Zwickau, Gyor, Zuffenhausen, and Tianjin. Kassel is the main hub. Last year, Kassel raised output by 24%. It delivered more than 850,000 units in one year alone.

More than 1 million of the total units were the APP550 electric drive unit. This motor is used in many EVs based on the MEB platform.

APP550, 800-Volt Architecture and Future EV Tech

The APP550 makes 560 Newton-meters of torque. It uses a pump-less oil and water cooling system. It is built to support future 800-volt architecture systems.

The motor powers models like the Volkswagen ID.4, ID.3, ID.5, ID.7, and ID. Buzz. It is also used in Audi, Skoda, and Cupra EVs.

Volkswagen plans to launch its own pulse inverter on the MEB Entry platform, also called MEB+. New models like the ID. Polo, Epiq, and Raval will use this setup. For now, these cars will run on 400 volts.

Read also: Volkswagen cuts 2025 sales forecast after $1.5bn tariff blow