In a significant achievement for the automotive industry, the Volkswagen Group has proudly announced the production of one million electric vehicles on its innovative MEB electric car platform.
Volkswagen had foreseen the transition towards fully electric vehicles in the automobile sector as early as 2015, although it had not yet fully committed to the concept. During that time, the company laid out plans to develop a dedicated electric vehicle platform, showcasing its forward-thinking approach.
In 2018, the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) was officially introduced by the German automaker, marking a pivotal moment in its electric vehicle strategy. This development was accompanied by the release of several concept cars, including the impressive Audi e-tron. Serving as the foundation for Volkswagen’s renowned “ID” electric car series, as well as various other electric vehicles from VW brands, the MEB platform quickly became the backbone of the company’s electrification efforts.
✨ one million cars, one platform!✨
Celebrating our electric vehicle platform, MEB, with five brands!🌎 By now, Audi, Cupra, Skoda, Volkswagen & Volkswagen commercial are pushing 8 factories in China, Europe & US
👀 More 2 come:
small MEB-family w/ Cupra, Skoda & Volkswagen! pic.twitter.com/lOS9cUZpD8— Volkswagen Group (@VWGroup) June 16, 2023
The MEB platform has been instrumental in the creation of exceptional electric vehicles such as the ID.3, ID.4 electric SUV, ID.5, and the ID.6 (specifically for the Chinese market). It will also power the highly anticipated flagship ID.7 electric sedan, set to debut in Europe later this year and in the United States in 2024.
Moreover, Volkswagen’s umbrella of brands, which includes Audi, Cupra, and ŠKODA, has also embraced the MEB platform. Notably, Audi’s Q4 e-tron and Q5 e-tron, Cupra’s pioneering electric car “Born,” and ŠKODA’s impressive ENYAQ iV are all built on the MEB architecture, showcasing the platform’s versatility and adaptability across different brands.
Taking a collaborative approach, Volkswagen expressed its openness to partnerships, leading to a significant collaboration with Ford in 2020. Together, they launched two electric EVs in Europe, with the first being an electric Explorer SUV. Priced at under €45,000 (approximately $48,500), this collaboration enabled Ford to strengthen its presence in the European market while avoiding delays in developing its own platform. Although Ford has since announced plans to develop in-house technology, the partnership with Volkswagen and utilization of the MEB platform played a vital role in bridging the gap and expediting the rollout of electric vehicles.
The remarkable milestone achieved by Volkswagen on the MEB platform was recently unveiled on Twitter. The company proudly announced that it had produced one million MEB-based vehicles, representing a significant accomplishment for Volkswagen and the broader electric vehicle industry. This achievement was made possible through the collaboration of five brands: Volkswagen, Audi, Cupra, ŠKODA, and Volkswagen Commercial.
Furthermore, Volkswagen disclosed that these five brands are supported by eight factories spread across Europe, the United States, and China. Building on this success, Volkswagen is now teasing the release of a compact MEB-based electric vehicle in partnership with Cupra, ŠKODA, and VW, further expanding the range of electric offerings.
Looking ahead, Volkswagen is committed to pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle technology. The company is actively working on the development of the next-generation “MEB+” platform, which will utilize advanced batteries to enable a remarkable range of over 430 miles (700 km) and faster charging times. With an ambitious target in mind, Volkswagen aims for 80% of its passenger cars in Europe to be electric by 2030, paving the way for a fully electric future and reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable mobility.
