Volkswagen and Mahindra deepen EV ties

Indian giant Mahindra is getting closer to Volkswagen, with more of the German company's EV tech to make its way into future models.

The two companies began collaborating in 2022 with a partnering agreement, and Mahindra's new Indian Global (InGlo) EV platform will make extensive use of VW technology and components.

Mahindra will equip InGlo vehicles with Volkswagen's MEB electric components and PowerCo unified cells, and the company says it initially focus on a range of all-wheel-drive SUVs, up to 4.7m long and with around 80kWh in battery capacity.

MEB and InGlo are modular electric ‘skateboard’ designs with dual-motor / AWD capability, with flexibility to be used in vehicles ranging in size (the latest VW ID models are all MEB vehicles), hence their suitability for parts-sharing.

Details as to exactly which electric components will be shared between MEB and InGlo are scarce, but may include thermal management and motors. Potential sharing of in-vehicle systems such as operating systems, computers/electronic control units, and wiring harnesses has not yet been discussed publicly.

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Volkswagen’s MEB ‘skateboard’ matrix

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The INGLO platform (source: CarDecko.com)

Vehicles on the InGlo architecture will use VW’s PowerCo Unified Cells

PowerCo, a VW subsidiary, is developing the unified cell – a battery cell format designed to be compatible with more than 80% of Volkswagen Automotive Group (VAG) products.

The cells are prismatic with a tab at each end, as opposed to blade cells as used by BYD, and can use different cell chemistries depending on the price point and performance characteristics required. Unified cell capacity ranges from 60-80kWh, with 175kW charging (up to 80% in less than 30 minutes).

Volkswagen claims “the intelligent and efficient Battery Management System with high precision, enhanced robustness and functional safety will deliver improved range, longevity and safety. Its high number of charge-discharge cycles coupled with a long lifespan will also help reduce waste.”

With partners, VW intends to operate six factories with a total volume of 240 GWh of capacity throughout Europe by 2030. The unified cell, according to VAG, “harnesses synergy effects and will reduce battery costs by up to 50 percent”.

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Slide from PowerCo extolling benefits of the unified cell format

Mahindra will use the ‘budget’ version of VW's Unified Cell chemistry

VW classifies the unified cell chemistries as Entry – Cost optimum (Inexpensive Chemistry), Volume – Balanced cost and performance (Mainstream chemistry) and Best in Class – Performance optimum (High-end chemistry for high performance).

Mahindra will fit INGLO vehicles with the (inexpensive) LFP chemistry.

The Indian company will be the first outside partner to use the unified cells, with the supply agreement to have total volume of about 50GWh over several years.

Mahindra had previously stated InGlo will accept prismatic or blade cells, but it now appears it will use solely VW prismatic cells.