The VW Group produces a number of electric axle drive units for use in their battery-electric vehicles. These drive units integrate a variable-frequency drive, traction motor and reduction gearing as well as an output differential (for most units) into a combined unit.
History
Since the 1970s there have been several small-scale runs of electric vehicles produced by VW, such as multiple iterations of the Golf CityStromer, however, these used lead-acid batteries and had short ranges. In the 2000s, a research plug-in hybrid vehicle was built using lithium-ion batteries.
In the early 2010s, two series production electric vehicles were introduced: In 2013, the e-up!, and in 2014 the e-Golf.
Since roughly 2019, Volkswagen has introduced a large number of electric vehicles.
Models
Nomenclature used since 2018
Similar to other drivetrain components of the VW Group (for example, their direct-shift gearboxes), the electric axles have descriptive model numbers, which directly encode key specifications of the unit in the model number.
+Current nomenclature for VW Group electric axlesModel numberKeyMeaningDescription1st letterAType of unitAxle drive (Achsantrieb)Integrated electronics, motor and gearing package2nd letterPMotor arrangementParallel arrangementMotor sits in parallel with the drive shaftsKCoaxial arrangement (koaxial)One drive shaft passes through the rotor coaxiallyTTwin axle arrangementTwo fully independent motors; no differential. Enables torque steering.3rd letterPMotor typePermanent magnet motorPermanent-magnet synchronous electric motor. Typically used as permanently driven rear axle.AAsynchronous motorAsynchronous induction motor. Typically used in AWD vehicles for the front axle.NumberxPeak torquexxx Nm peak motor torqueRoundedxx
Models +Model numberPeak torquePeak powerPowerModels, platformsIntroductionNotesEAQ210VW e-up!, Škoda Citigo e iV, Seat Mii electric2013According to another press release, the e-Golf motor is called EEM 85 and the gear box is called EQ 270.EAQ270//VW e-Golf2014APP290APP310VW Group MEB platformAPP350VW ID.3 Neo2026APP550//MEB (VW GTX, Škoda RS , ID.7)AKA150MEBFront-axle drive in AWD modelsAPA250Audi e-tronModular concept with single electronics package, two different motors (250/320 Nm) and three different gear/differential packages (parallel, coaxial, twin).APA320AKA320ATA2502x 2x
References