The use of a single platform to create a large number of vehicles is helping many automakers become more efficient in their overall production process. Nearly every automaker is looking to find ways to create multiple vehicles from a small number of platforms, which isn’t a new concept (think GM and all the ways the Cavalier was used), but it may be new the way Volkswagen is planning to use their platforms. In recent news the ideal Volkswagen has is to create three platforms and build as many as thirty different vehicles from them.

It may seem odd that Volkswagen would put money into any product development at this point considering their recent debacle. The scandal of their diesel engines has had them on their heels for the past year, but the direction Volkswagen is headed is a completely different one from that which brought them to their financial knees with a settlement that will cost them over $15 billion when its finalized. Instead of trying to bring us more diesel engines, which won’t be present in the US anytime soon, they are working toward a fully electric lineup of vehicles to change their entire reputation around.

They have already presented us with the BUDD-e concept van which uses the MEB (Modular Electric Toolkit) platform to be a completely electric van that offers a flat flor which is full of lithium ion battery packs to give the van a 233 mile range that can be recharged to a full eighty percent in only thirty minutes. While this may not sound like a breakthrough it really is for Volkswagen and with the idea to build nine more vehicles off this same one platform is and exciting idea that should be applauded as the new positive direction of the brand.

The overall goal is to bring us more utility vehicles and low-cost budget vehicles to be a volume choice for the masses once again. These three platforms will be fitted with the flexibility to have different sized wheelbases and track to ensure they can fit the entire lineup that will be part of Volkswagen. Making all the vehicles electric and developing the technology that goes with it could put Volkswagen in the lead when it comes to the EV world considering no other automaker offers as many models as they will when it comes to EVs.

Will this change the reputation of Volkswagen? It just might. Most of the time the old saying “time heals all wounds” does hold true and Volkswagen is paying for its mistakes and working to build new platforms that will be environmentally friendly. It’s unfortunate their scandal took place when it did considering the massive sales that were enjoyed last year and already this year. With this new development Volkswagen could be the name you turn to when it’s time to buy your new EV model, especially if they find a way to increase the range by nearly 100 miles per charge.