Battery with a system

Turning electricity into mobility. What might sound simple at first is actually complex. This is why we have created a clear and comprehensible presentation of the battery system in the modular electric drive matrix (MEB). After all, you should know what’s in your ID.3.

Illustration of the Volkswagen High voltage battery with a man working on a laptop in the background

Simply explained: the ID. Family battery system

The ID. Family’s newly developed modular electric drive matrix (MEB) has been specifically designed for electric vehicles. The heart of the system is a fast-charging battery system consisting of different numbers of battery modules, depending on the desired range. Each of these modules contains 12 lithium-ion battery cells. The cells utilised in the MEB have a “pouch cell” design. They consist of multiple stacked or folded active layers enclosed by a flexible outer film. This makes pouch cells highly flexible in terms of their shape and optimally adaptable to the specific requirements. In addition, their smooth surface also provides high heat dissipation.

Illustration of the Volkswagen battery system

Battery system of the MEB electric platform

1 Battery cells

2 Battery modules

3 Battery system

4 Battery

5 Drive system

Simply electrifying: the lithium-ion battery

A lithium-ion battery cell always consists of four components: anode, cathode, separator and electrolyte. During charging, the lithium ions travel from the cathode to the anode and are stored there. The electrical energy from the power grid is converted into chemical energy. During the discharging process – for example, to power the electric motor – it works the other way round: the lithium ions now travel from the anode back to the cathode and convert the chemical energy back into electrical energy. 

Five main raw materials are needed to produce lithium-ion battery cells: a compound of cobalt, nickel and manganese for the cathode (this structure helps to store the lithium charge carrier), graphite for the anode and, of course lithium, which is contained in the electrolyte.

Illustration of the lithium-ion battery components
1 Anode
2 Cathode
3 Separator
4 Electrolyte
5 Charging
6 Discharging

Our electric vision

A yellow VW ID.4 parked in the middle of a road at night

Our electric vision

Volkswagen’s future is electric. We’re committed to developing cars and technologies that open up the possibilities of electric driving to all. Making the switch to electric not only benefits the environment, it could also help you save money and discover a new and exciting way to drive.

Electric pedigree

The development of our revolutionary ID. range didn’t happen overnight. Our electric history first started in 1970. Let us take you back to the start of our journey towards a more sustainable future.

Leading the way

Our goal isn’t just to sell electric cars. We are designing a range of vehicles with high performance, that go further and put efficiency at the heart of their design.

Next steps

Technology

Modular Electric  drive kit (MEB)

Next steps