It’s as easy as Plug in & Charge at Electrify America DC fast charging stations
January 31, 2024
Charging the 2023 ID.4 EV at Electrify America DC fast charging stations is almost as easy as 1, 2, … that’s it…just 2. Plug in and charge.
The Electrify America charging plan1 included with the 2023 ID.4 EV now includes the convenience of Plug&Charge2. Once the Plug&Charge feature is activated, you’ll be able to skip the steps of selecting the station location and charger number in the app in order to initiate charging when you’re at a DC fast charging Electrify America station. In fact, you won’t need the app at all to charge using the benefits. Just plug in and charge – it’s as simple as that.
To learn more about activating and using Plug&Charge, click below.
Activating Plug&Charge
If you’ve already downloaded the Electrify America app and are currently enrolled in the included charging plan1 for your 2023 ID.4 EV, here’s how to activate Plug&Charge2:
Your brakes do more than help your VW stop
Both the current generation Volkswagen MQB vehicles and MEB electric vehicles use four-wheel disc brakes. However, the MEB also has regenerative braking. This means that when you take your foot off the accelerator, the motor works as a generator, reversing the flow of energy back to the battery and slowing forward motion.
Something is missing inside a VW Electric Vehicle MEB
That hump between the front seats that’s in most vehicles? It takes up lots of room because it’s providing necessary space for some vehicle elements, including the center drive shaft and shifter.
In the MEB platform, there’s no need for a center drive shaft, thus no need for that center hump. A single-speed gearbox is housed in the same drive unit as the motor and supporting electronics, driving the wheels directly. Additionally, without the engine and transmission up front, the panel separating the engine and passenger compartment is pushed forward, which can create more interior volume.
To heat the cabin, a traditional vehicle relies on a heater core in the dash, which utilizes coolant that is heated by the engine. In an MEB EV, the heater is located under the hood, freeing up even more space inside. Additionally, it is predominantly electric because heated coolant is not always available to heat the cabin. While it is mainly electric, it also uses heat generated by other components when available.
How about the battery in the MEB EVs?
First of all, it’s large, flat, and mounted under the floor, which helps to maintain weight distribution and a center of gravity. Secondly, the battery pack is designed to be rapidly-charged, depending on application. Future plans may include inductive charging.
How does the MEB keep the motor cool?
Surprisingly, the MEB EV has a relatively conventional radiator at the front of the car just like an MQB. However, unlike a gasoline engine (coolant circulates through the engine block), the MEB EV system uses an electric pump to circulate coolant to the motor’s heat exchanger on demand — as well as other electronic components such as the battery and inverter — to keep them at their optimum operating temperatures.
But how are the platforms the same?
One of the things that made the MQB so great was its versatility: It could be lengthened, widened, and lifted to accommodate different vehicle types such as the Golf and the Atlas. That same versatility guides the MEB: It is designed to be able to support a wide range of next-generation VW EVs in all shapes and sizes.
The MEB platform has spawned many concept vehicles. Several have made it into series production, with more to come in the future.
Activating Plug&Charge
If you’ve already downloaded the Electrify America app and are currently enrolled in the included charging plan1 for your 2023 ID.4 EV, here’s how to activate Plug&Charge2:
