Volkswagen Group has started releasing details of its first, purposed-designed electric car. It will base its ID.3 vehicle on the MEB platform already in use by Audi, SEAT, Škoda and Volkswagen. The design aims to consolidate electronic controls and reduce the number of microprocessors across the range. However, Volkswagen evidently does not plan to use software locked batteries to further increase these economies of scale.
Tesla Has Been Using Software Locked Batteries for a While
Electric car maker Tesla uses scaleable, software locked batteries across its ranges. More expensive models have full capacity, while others can only access a certain amount. This software-controlled technology thus allows it to offer more than one driving range per model.
However, Tesla has temporarily extended driving ranges during hurricanes and other natural emergencies. Some critics on Tesla Forums have queried selling products to consumers who are unable to fully use something for which they paid. Now Volkswagen has decided not to use software locked batteries for its Golf-sized hatchback electric car according to Left Lane News.
The Lowdown on Volkswagen’s First Electric Car
VW Board Member Jurgen Stackmann Explains Why
It would be “quite hideous” to software-lock batteries, Jurgen says. “You would put all of the battery capacity in a car that’s not using it,” he insists. “It’s not a very wise way to use raw materials and resources,” the board member told Digital Trends.
Consequently, the Volkswagen lithium-ion battery line-up will include separate 45, 58, and 77-kilowatt-hour packs. Their respective driving ranges will be approximately 205, 260, and 340 miles. However, ID.3 owners will have to be content with 77 kilowatts for now. Although Volkswagen may favour sportier, all-wheel versions with greater capacity in future.
We had wondered whether using software locked batteries increases the relative cost of entry-level models. Jurgen Stackmann may be looking further than using fewer materials, towards the possibility of a truly affordable people’s electric car.
Related
Tesla Remotely Extends Electric Car Range
Researchers Develop Technology to Estimate Range of Electric Vehicles
Preview Image: Volkswagen I.D. Concept at IAA 2017
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