Volkswagen Announces Updated MEB+ Platform

Volkswagen’s line of electric cars is anchored by the MEB platform. Turns out, Volkswagen is already prepared to give that platform a healthy upgrade in regards to specs, along with a new name – MEB+. No, this is apparently not the same thing as the previously-promised Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which was supposed to be the basis for the ID. Buzz and other follow-ups to the ID.3 and ID.4. MEB+ takes MEB and boosts its range to roughly 435 miles, along with improved charging speeds of up to 200-kW at DC fast charging stations.

The predicted timeline is that the launch of the first SSP platform vehicles will be delayed in favor of MEB+. The first model to ride on it is what Volkswagen claims to be a compact crossover similar in size to Tiguan. Considering ID.4 and ID.5 are already close, this new model will need to be a bit larger than those. We don’t yet know if that model is planned for the U.S., but considering the next ID model to hit our shores doesn’t arrive until 2024, something to hold us over for the ID. Buzz would be welcome. Another mystery is whether the existing ID models will be updated to ride on the MEB+ platform before they reach their next full redesigns. Either way, this appears to be a solid platform to hold us over until SSP comes and makes those massive innovations the electric car industry needs.

More on the Volkswagen MEB+ platform here.