The Volkswagen Group has produced its five-millionth electric drive unit, a milestone that signals the sheer scale of the electric vehicle (EV) parc now heading towards the independent aftermarket.
Volkswagen Group’s latest figures confirm that the electric transition is now a volume game. The Kassel plant alone produced over 850,000 electric drives in 2025, a 24% increase year-on-year.
These aren’t just niche concepts; they are the mass-market powertrains that will replace the 1.6 TDI and 1.5 TSI as the bread-and-butter work of the future workshop.
The most critical unit for technicians to be aware of is the APP550.
Already fitted to the VW ID. family, Škoda Enyaq, and CUPRA Tavascan, this rear-wheel-drive unit has now hit the one-million production mark.
It is effectively the “EA888” of the electric era, a ubiquitous component shared across multiple brands and chassis.
Technical insight
Despite having the same physical dimensions as its predecessor, the APP550 represents a significant leap in stress and performance that technicians need to understand:
– Higher output: It delivers up to 240 kW (320 hp) and 560 Nm of torque.
– Efficiency: It consumes 20% less energy while offering 75% more torque.
– Cooling system: Crucially for maintenance, it uses a combined oil and water-cooling system that optimises temperature without requiring an additional electric pump, simplifying the plumbing but increasing the importance of thermal management integrity.
Dubbed the APP290, this motor will power the “Electric Urban Car Family,” including the forthcoming VW ID. Polo, Škoda Epiq, and CUPRA Raval.
Key features include a strategic shift to Silicon Carbide (SiC) semiconductors within the pulse inverter, the ‘brain’ of the motor, which allows for higher switching frequencies and superior thermal endurance.
The system uses a 400V architecture to maintain compatibility with standard chargers, while offering a versatile power range from 85 kW (116 hp) up to 166 kW (226 hp).
