VW has detailed the single-speed automatic transmission that will feature in the ID.3. The APP310 e-drive unit transmits power to the driven wheels using an extremely compact gearbox.
The ID.3’s single gear has been designed to be able to cope with all driving situations. The mechanism used has only a small number of cogs. Part of the electric drive system for the modular electric drive matrix (MEB), the 1-speed gearbox is being manufactured by Volkswagen Group Components at the Kassel plant.
When reversing the car, the direction of the electric drive system is reversed. In addition to various other components, power electronics is responsible for this and the power characteristics of the drive system. To achieve the maximum power of 150kW, the electric drive unit must rotate at high speed. To provide a high level of torque, a 10x transmission ratio is used.
To save space, the gearbox has a two-stage design with two smaller cogs instead of one big one. As a result, the electric drive motor in the ID.3 provides the maximum torque of 310Nm constantly over a wide range of speeds. The maximum speed of 160km/h is reached at a maximum of 16,000rpm.
To ensure the noise-reduction required in BEVs, the components for the 1-speed gearbox are manufactured with great precision. At the end of the production line, not only the power characteristics of the electric drive system are checked – the relevant noise values are too.