Let’s just say that most automakers have gone from one extreme to the other rather quickly over the past decade, especially when it comes to electrification. Until quite recently, we all believed the days of the combustion engine were numbered—but that’s no longer really the case.
As a result, some manufacturers have decided to revise their strategies more quickly than others, like Volkswagen, which is known for adapting swiftly to any situation.
A Multifunctional Platform
Volkswagen has just revealed more information about the SSP platform it has been developing for the past four years. Originally, this platform was intended solely for electric powertrains, but the plans have changed. Based on the latest information, it now appears that the platform will be able to accommodate a gasoline engine. However, there’s a catch—the gasoline engine won’t drive the wheels. On this platform, it will instead act as a generator to produce electricity on demand.
This concept isn’t new—in fact, it’s quite the opposite. However, the explosive popularity of electric vehicles caused most automakers to abandon this path and focus exclusively on battery-powered EVs. General Motors was one of the first to popularize this type of system with the Volt. Now, several manufacturers are reconsidering the possibility of using such technology.
What makes this approach particularly interesting is the fact that you can drive an electrically powered vehicle that operates on electricity most of the time. Yet, it eliminates the anxiety of potentially running out of charge. Since the gasoline engine isn’t connected to the wheels, it functions as an on-demand power generator. This allows for longer travel distances without needing to stop, and it’s also a handy solution if you simply forget to charge the vehicle.
Although nothing has been officially confirmed yet, it is expected that the next-generation Golf will feature this technology. It would thus become one of the first next-generation vehicles to be equipped with such a system. In my opinion, electric vehicles with combustion engines used as generators will experience a major resurgence in popularity in the coming years—something that will definitely give Volkswagen a head start over the competition. Now, the only question that remains is whether the new electric Golf will be offered here or not.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
