Volkswagen’s Mission Efficiency Sets New Benchmarks in EV Efficiency
In a remarkable stride towards more efficient electric vehicles, Volkswagen has achieved three world records with its “most efficient near-production electric car” yet. The Mission Efficiency, based on the ID Polo architecture, demonstrates significant enhancements in efficiency.
During a lengthy 794-mile road trip traversing Wolfsburg, Poznań, Olomouc, and finally Vienna, the vehicle registered an impressive 6.89 kWh/100 km in battery consumption. For those familiar with miles per kilowatt-hour, this equates to 8.27 miles per kilowatt hour, and even 9.02 when accounting for energy lost during charging.
The Mission Efficiency’s achievements include a groundbreaking drag coefficient of 0.158, setting a record for road-approved vehicles. Additionally, during an “ideal trip” with minimized energy consumption, the vehicle averaged 6.48 kWh/100 km, solidifying its efficiency prowess.
Volkswagen asserts that these accomplishments position the modified ID Polo as the most economical electric car in its class. Despite its impressive performance, the Mission Efficiency maintains a close resemblance to the standard ID Polo, utilizing a 114-hp front-mounted motor and an optimized battery capacity of approximately 54kWh.
The vehicle’s design features a longer and lower body, slimmer rear axle, and a fully covered underside to enhance aerodynamics. Like the 2013 XL1, its teardrop-shaped body and enclosed rear wheels contribute to its efficiency.
While Volkswagen opted not to drastically reduce the vehicle’s weight, the Mission Efficiency remains less than 50kg heavier than the standard model. The removal of certain power-consuming accessories and the addition of a solar roof capable of generating up to 370W further augment its efficiency.
Efficiency Enhancements: A Path to Greater Range
Manufacturers often resort to larger battery packs to alleviate range anxiety, but this approach increases vehicle size, weight, and cost. Volkswagen’s focus on efficiency over battery size demonstrates a commitment to improved range without compromising affordability.
In an interview with Autocar, Volkswagen’s head of innovation, Christoph Riechel, emphasized potential production elements from the Mission Efficiency, such as active air intakes and a removable infotainment tablet. In a controlled test, Volkswagen achieved an 821km range at 68km/h, significantly surpassing the ID Polo’s official range.
Should Volkswagen implement even half of the insights from this project, a significant range boost of 50 to 100 miles could be achieved without increasing battery size or consumer costs.
Original Story at www.techradar.com