Volkswagen and Rivian test electronic architecture for electric vehicles in cold Sweden

Winter Test VW and Rivian Test New E/E Architecture in Sweden

2025-11-17 From Sven Prawitz | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

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The joint venture of the two automakers is sending the first vehicles with the new electronic architecture to Sweden. There, its functionality is being tested under extreme cold conditions.

Many automakers and suppliers test the functionality of their systems in snow and extreme cold in northern Sweden every year.(Image: Audi) — Many automakers and suppliers test the functionality of their systems in snow and extreme cold in northern Sweden every year.
(Image: Audi)

Volkswagen and Rivian are starting winter tests of initial vehicles one year after founding their joint venture. Among other things, the cars will test the electronic architecture of Volkswagen's more affordable electric car, the "ID.Every1," planned for 2027, under tough conditions. Early next year, reference vehicles with technology for a future Audi model and a car from VW's revived U.S. brand Scout will also head into the snow in Sweden.

The joint venture, named Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies (RV Tech), is developing the electronic architecture of future VW electric cars for Western markets, primarily outside China. Last year, Volkswagen decided on a multibillion-dollar partnership with Rivian to catch up technologically with Tesla and Chinese competitors. Volkswagen is investing up to $5.8 billion in the collaboration. In China, the vehicle architecture for the local market is being developed with domestic partner Xpeng.

A key difference in the architecture developed by Rivian is that it is structured by zones within the vehicle rather than by functions. The technology is set to be further developed within the joint venture. The concept reduces complexity and shortens wiring harnesses—thereby also lowering costs. Zone architecture is primarily adopted by new automakers like Tesla and various Chinese OEMs.

One Zone Controller Per Vehicle

The collaboration with Volkswagen focuses, among other things, on ensuring that the control units developed by Rivian interact seamlessly with components from the German group. The ID Every1, aimed at a target price of around $23,200, will require just one zone controller, while VW premium models will feature more due to their broader range of functions.

The joint venture could offer the architecture to other manufacturers in the future, said Co-CEOs Carsten Helbing and Wassym Bensaid. Currently, however, the primary focus is on implementing the technology at Volkswagen and Rivian.

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