Volkswagen Group Hits Global Milestone with Five Million Electric Drive Units
Wolfsburg. The Volkswagen Group has achieved a significant milestone by producing five million electric drive units worldwide, a testament to its ongoing commitment to e-mobility and sustainable automotive solutions. This achievement spans production facilities in Győr, Kassel, Tianjin, and Zuffenhausen, highlighting the strength of the Group-wide technology and production alliance. The coordinated efforts across these plants demonstrate not only the Group’s capacity for innovation but also the successful scale-up of electric mobility across multiple brands and international regions. The Volkswagen Group Components competence network plays a pivotal role in this achievement, serving as a central enabler for efficient production processes, advanced engineering, and seamless integration of electric drive technologies into series production.
Kassel Plant Drives Growth with APP550 Production
The Kassel facility, in particular, has made a remarkable contribution to the Group’s electric drive production, increasing output by approximately 24 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching more than 850,000 units. Among these, the APP550 electric drive stands out as the most widely used system within the Volkswagen Group, powering key models such as the Volkswagen ID. family, the Škoda Enyaq, and the CUPRA Tavascan. The APP550 has already reached a milestone of one million units produced at the Kassel plant alone, establishing itself as a benchmark for performance, efficiency, and driving dynamics in the volume segment of electric vehicles. This system enhances the driving experience by offering higher torque and power without increasing the size of the drive unit, achieving a 75 percent increase in torque and a 40 percent improvement in power compared to its predecessor, while consuming approximately 20 percent less energy. Series production of the APP550 delivers up to 240 kW of power and 560 Nm of torque, with a combined oil and water cooling system that optimizes thermal management without requiring an additional pump. The APP550’s combination of efficiency, performance, and acoustics sets new standards for electric drives and reaffirms the Volkswagen Group’s global commitment to quality and innovation in vehicle development and production.
Integrated Network Supports End-to-End Electric Drive Development
The Volkswagen Group’s integrated production network is responsible for the entire lifecycle of electric drive systems, encompassing engineering, industrialization, power electronics, and logistics. Centers of expertise within this network, such as the Kassel plant, play a crucial role in bringing innovative technologies like electric drives and pulse inverters into mass production. By centralizing development and production within the Group, Volkswagen ensures consistent quality, faster innovation cycles, and cost-efficient manufacturing processes. The network also facilitates knowledge transfer across brands and regions, allowing lessons learned in one plant to benefit the entire Group’s e-mobility strategy. This integrated approach strengthens the Volkswagen Group’s position as a leading player in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle market and highlights its commitment to technological leadership in sustainable mobility.
Group-Developed Pulse Inverter Boosts Efficiency and Independence
A cornerstone of Volkswagen’s electric drive strategy is the Group’s independently developed pulse inverter, which will play a key role in powering future electric drive systems. By producing its own inverter, Volkswagen gains strategic advantages over externally sourced components, including faster product development, reduced costs, and greater independence in production. The Group-developed inverter enables the efficient management of electric drives across multiple vehicle platforms and enhances overall system reliability. It represents a significant step in Volkswagen’s pursuit of vertical integration, ensuring that critical components for electric mobility are designed, tested, and manufactured within the Group’s own facilities. This approach also allows for the optimization of drive system performance, energy efficiency, and scalability for future electric vehicle models across different brands.
Silicon Carbide Technology Enhances APP290 Electric Motors
In addition to the pulse inverter, Volkswagen Group Components is integrating silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor technology into the APP290 electric motor, which will power models within the Electric Urban Car Family, including the ID. Polo, Škoda Epiq, and CUPRA Raval. Silicon carbide offers significant advantages over traditional semiconductor materials, such as higher efficiency, lower energy losses, and improved thermal performance. This technology translates directly into longer driving ranges, better everyday performance, and enhanced system reliability, addressing key requirements for urban mobility. The APP290 motor is designed to support multiple performance levels, ranging from 85 kW (116 PS) to 166 kW (226 PS), while utilizing 400V technology. By implementing advanced semiconductor solutions in-house, Volkswagen ensures that its electric drive systems are optimized for both performance and efficiency, reinforcing the Group’s leadership in e-mobility innovation.
Expansion of Electric Drive Production Across the Group
Volkswagen’s success with electric drive production is not limited to a single facility; it reflects a broader strategy of global production expansion. Plants in Győr, Tianjin, and Zuffenhausen have all contributed significantly to reaching the five million-unit milestone. Each plant brings specialized expertise, whether in component manufacturing, assembly, or testing, allowing the Group to efficiently scale production to meet growing market demand. This global approach also enables Volkswagen to adapt to regional requirements, optimize supply chains, and accelerate the introduction of new electric vehicle models. By leveraging its international manufacturing footprint, the Volkswagen Group can respond flexibly to evolving market conditions and technological advancements, ensuring that its electric vehicles remain competitive in terms of performance, quality, and affordability.
Commitment to Quality, Innovation, and Sustainability
The production of five million electric drive units underscores Volkswagen Group’s unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as the APP550 and APP290 drive systems, along with Group-developed pulse inverters and silicon carbide semiconductors, Volkswagen is setting new benchmarks for efficiency, performance, and environmental responsibility. The focus on systematic scale-up of e-mobility, supported by a global competence network, ensures that electric vehicle production remains aligned with the highest industry standards. In doing so, the Volkswagen Group continues to drive the transition to sustainable mobility while delivering vehicles that meet the expectations of customers worldwide in terms of performance, comfort, and reliability.
The Electric Urban Car Family and Beyond
Looking ahead, the APP290 motor and Group-developed inverter will form the foundation of Volkswagen’s Electric Urban Car Family, enabling vehicles like the ID. Polo, Škoda Epiq, and CUPRA Raval to deliver improved range, acceleration, and energy efficiency. By focusing on modular and scalable solutions, Volkswagen can extend these technologies across multiple vehicle segments and markets, ensuring that innovations in electric drives benefit a wide range of models and customer needs. The continued expansion of electric drive production, combined with advanced in-house component development, positions the Volkswagen Group to maintain its leadership in the global electric vehicle market, fostering sustainable mobility solutions that are both technically advanced and accessible to consumers worldwide.
Volkswagen Group as a Global Leader in E-Mobility
The achievement of producing five million electric drive units globally reflects Volkswagen Group’s strategic vision, technological excellence, and operational strength. The integration of innovative systems such as the APP550, APP290, and Group-developed pulse inverter demonstrates the Group’s ability to combine performance, efficiency, and sustainability in its electric vehicles. Through a globally coordinated production network, advanced semiconductor technologies, and continuous investment in research and development, Volkswagen is reinforcing its position as a leader in e-mobility. This milestone is not only a measure of production success but also a reflection of the Group’s long-term commitment to shaping the future of sustainable transportation worldwide, ensuring that electric vehicles remain a practical, high-performing, and environmentally responsible choice for customers across the globe.
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