Volkswagen Group Reaches Five Million Electric Drive Units Produced and Advances In-House Pulse Inverter Strategy

APP550 is among the most efficient electric drive systems in its class
Copyright: Volkswagen AG

(IN BRIEF) The Volkswagen Group has reached a production milestone of five million electric drive units across its global plants in Győr, Kassel, Tianjin, and Zuffenhausen, highlighting the scale of its e-mobility ramp-up and the strength of its Group Components network, with Kassel alone increasing output by 24 percent in 2025 to over 850,000 units the APP550 electric drive has become the most popular system in the Group’s volume segment, achieving one million units produced at Kassel and delivering significantly higher efficiency, torque, and power than its predecessor while maintaining the same dimensions the Group is also developing its own pulse inverter in-house to accelerate innovation, reduce costs, and strengthen technological sovereignty, which will be used alongside the new silicon-carbide-based APP290 motor for the Electric Urban Car Family including the ID. Polo, Škoda Epiq, and CUPRA Raval

(PRESS RELEASE) WOLFSBURG, 10-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The Volkswagen Group has achieved a major industrial milestone by producing five million electric drive units for its fully electric vehicles across its global manufacturing network. This achievement reflects the coordinated efforts of the Group’s production sites in Győr, Kassel, Tianjin, and Zuffenhausen, demonstrating the scale and maturity of Volkswagen’s e-mobility strategy and its integrated technology and manufacturing ecosystem. The Group Components network has played a central role in this ramp-up, with the Kassel plant alone increasing electric drive production by around 24 percent year-on-year in 2025 to more than 850,000 units.

Thomas Schmall, Member of the Volkswagen Group Board of Management responsible for Technology, highlighted the significance of the milestone, noting that the production of five million electric drives underlines Volkswagen’s leadership across both internal combustion and battery electric vehicle segments. He emphasized that the Group’s global development and production network enables end-to-end mastery of electric drivetrain technologies, accelerating innovation while maintaining high quality standards. Schmall also pointed to the in-house development of the Group’s first pulse inverter as a strategic step toward greater technological sovereignty, allowing Volkswagen to control a core component of its electric drive systems.

Within the Group’s current portfolio, the APP550 electric drive has emerged as the most widely used system in the volume segment. It powers models such as the Volkswagen ID. family, the Škoda Enyaq, and the CUPRA Tavascan. To date, one million APP550 units have been manufactured at the Kassel plant. The system is widely regarded as one of the most efficient electric drives in its class, offering significant improvements in performance and energy consumption compared with its predecessor. Despite retaining the same physical dimensions, the APP550 reduces energy use by around 20 percent while increasing torque by approximately 75 percent and power by about 40 percent. In series production, the drive delivers up to 240 kW and 560 Nm, supported by an integrated oil and water cooling system that optimizes thermal management without the need for an additional pump.

The Volkswagen Group’s vertically integrated network is responsible for the full lifecycle of its electric drive technologies, from design and engineering through to industrialization, power electronics development, and logistics. Facilities such as the Kassel plant serve as centers of excellence, translating key innovations like electric drives and pulse inverters into high-volume series production.

Looking ahead, the Group’s newly developed pulse inverter will play a central role in future electric drive systems, particularly for the upcoming Electric Urban Car Family. Developed entirely within Volkswagen Group Components, the inverter is expected to deliver faster development cycles, lower costs, and greater manufacturing independence compared with externally sourced solutions. The use of silicon carbide semiconductors in the new APP290 electric motor will further enhance efficiency and performance for models such as the ID. Polo, Škoda Epiq, and CUPRA Raval. The APP290 is designed for 400V architecture and is expected to be available in multiple power outputs ranging from 85 kW (116 PS) to 166 kW (226 PS), offering improved range and everyday drivability.

About the Volkswagen Group:
The Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s leading car makers, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. It operates globally, with 115 production facilities in 17 European countries and 10 countries in the Americas, Asia and Africa. With around 680,000 employees worldwide. The Group’s vehicles are sold in over 150 countries.

With a comprehensive portfolio of strong global brands, leading technologies at scale, innovative ideas to tap into future profit pools and an entrepreneurial leadership team, the Volkswagen Group is committed to shaping the future of mobility through investments in electric and autonomous driving vehicles, digitalization and sustainability. The goal: As a “Global Automotive Tech Driver”, to make the best automotive technologies accessible to customers worldwide – from entry-level mobility to the luxury segment.

In 2024, the total number of vehicles delivered to customers by the Group globally was 9.0 million (2023: 9.2 million). Group sales revenue in 2024 totaled EUR 324.7 billion (2023: EUR 322.3 billion). The operating result in 2024 amounted to EUR 19.1 billion (2023: EUR 22.5 billion)

Media Contact:

Kilian Beck
Spokesperson Charging & Energy & Volkswagen Group Components & Platform Business
+49 (0) 152 388 779 50
kilian.beck1@volkswagen.de

Alexander Gautsche
Corporate Communications
Location spokesperson – Media Relations Kassel location
+49 (0) 152 577 058 03
alexander.gautsche@volkswagen.de | www.volkswagen-group.com

SOURCE: Volkswagen