VW sees no want for multi-speed transmissions in EVs
It examined a guide transmission for efficiency EVs
Extra environment friendly EVs is likely to be costlier, VW says
It appears Volkswagen will not be following Porsche or Mercedes-Benz into the world of multi-speed transmissions for EVs.
On Thursday on the 2024 Los Angeles auto present Kai Grünitz, head of worldwide analysis and growth for Volkswagen, instructed Inexperienced Automobile Studies that the automaker would not see a necessity for 2-speed transmissions in EVs.
Grünitz stated that “right now there is no such thing as a plan to supply it,” however the govt rapidly famous that is “as a result of there is no demand from the shopper facet,” for multi-speed transmissions in EVs.
Grünitz then stated that “there is no cause to spend money on that” if there is no demand from clients.
“To be sincere, whenever you search for instance to ID.7, it is one of the environment friendly automobiles,” Stefan Voswinkel, head of product communications for VW, added.
“We’re finest at school in that phase,” Grünitz stated, referring to the VW ID.7, which has been delayed indefinitely for the U.S. and, like different EVs utilizing VW’s MEB structure for EVs, makes use of a single-speed discount gear.
Grünitz famous there are different prospects to cut back or to extend efficiencies outdoors of multi-speed transmissions, and it is “most vital coming from the engine facet,” he stated.
“There are a number of little screws you need to use to enhance effectivity with out going to the transmission,” Grünitz stated.
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380
That is all although Grünitz admitted Volkswagen’s created a guide transmission for EVs, and that he is examined it—and did not prefer it. Whereas that unit would have been for an fanatic automobile like an electrical GTI, the chief stated he likes the smoothness of EVs that comes with a single-speed transmission.
The upcoming 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, the primary automobile from the automaker to reach on the next-generation MMA platform, will use a 2-speed transmission. Mercedes executives famous that effectivity is the brand new foreign money. “Hopefully it can develop into a brand new foreign money,” stated Grünitz. “I feel it isn’t right now.”
Grünitz stated nobody is basically speaking about effectivity. When pressed on the subject as a result of Lucid, amongst different automakers, is sort of vocal concerning the subject, Grünitz famous it isn’t being mentioned on the client degree, and requested: “Why do not we see these discussions at our clients?”
To shut, Grünitz famous that making autos much more environment friendly would make autos costlier.
