MEB 590 Module Specifications: Dimensions & Format
Short answer: The MEB 590 battery module measures approximately 590 × 225 × 108 mm (height varies between 107 mm and 112 mm depending on supplier). The format standardises the mechanical envelope, cooling interface and busbar positions — not the cell chemistry or configuration. Typical modules run 2P8S with NCM cells, yielding roughly 6.7–6.9 kWh.
The MEB 590 is a prismatic battery module format that originated with Volkswagen's Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platform and has since become a de facto standard used beyond automotive applications. Engineers specifying a pack or a stationary storage system need to know precisely what the format fixes and what remains variable. This article covers both.
What the MEB 590 format standardises
The 590 module format defines the outer envelope, the mechanical mounting interface and the position of the cooling surfaces and busbars. It does not mandate a specific cell chemistry, cell capacity or series-parallel arrangement. This distinction matters: two modules that comply with the format can differ in voltage, energy content and cycle life, depending on the cells inside.
The result is a format that decouples pack mechanical design from cell supplier. A pack structure built around MEB 590 modules can, in principle, be re-celled or re-sourced without redesigning the enclosure or thermal management system — provided the replacement module shares the same envelope and interface points.
MEB 590 module dimensions
The nominal external dimensions of an MEB 590 module are:
- Length: approximately 590 mm
- Width: approximately 225 mm
- Height: approximately 107–112 mm (varies by cell manufacturer and integration method)
The length — 590 mm — is the defining dimension and the source of the format name. Width and height are broadly consistent across suppliers, but engineers should verify the exact height with their specific supplier before designing the module bay, as the 5 mm range is not negligible in a tightly packaged pack.
For full dimensional drawings and interface references, the MEB 590 module specifications page provides supplier-level detail.
Typical configurations and performance figures
Because the format does not fix the cell, configurations vary. The table below shows representative values for commonly supplied configurations. These figures are typical, not normative — actual values depend on the cell used.
| Configuration | Chemistry | Cell capacity | Nominal voltage | Energy content | Approx. mass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2P8S | NCM | ~113 Ah | ~29.6 V | ~6.7–6.9 kWh | ~31 kg |
| 2P8S | LFP | ~100–120 Ah | ~25.6 V | ~5.1–6.1 kWh | ~32–35 kg |
| 1P8S | NCM | ~100–120 Ah | ~29.6 V | ~3.0–3.6 kWh | ~18–22 kg |
The 2P8S NCM variant (two cells in parallel, eight groups in series) is the most commonly referenced configuration. At 113 Ah per cell, it produces a nominal voltage of approximately 29.6 V and an energy content of roughly 6.7–6.9 kWh, with a module mass of around 31 kg. These figures should be treated as indicative; verify against the specific cell datasheet before use in a system energy calculation.
LFP chemistry produces a lower nominal cell voltage (approximately 3.2 V versus 3.6–3.7 V for NCM), so an 8S LFP module runs at roughly 25.6 V nominal. LFP modules are heavier for equivalent energy content but offer longer cycle life and better thermal stability — relevant considerations for stationary storage applications where calendar life and safety margins matter more than gravimetric energy density.
What varies between suppliers
Within the 590 envelope, suppliers make different choices:
- Cell format: most use large-format prismatic cells, but cell thickness and the number of cells per layer differ
- Terminal position and busbar geometry: broadly consistent, but not identical across all suppliers
- Thermal interface: most modules use a bottom-cooling approach compatible with liquid-cooled cold plates, but the thermal interface material and surface finish vary
- BMS integration: some suppliers offer modules with an integrated battery management board; others supply the module as a bare assembly
Engineers integrating MEB 590 modules into a new pack design should request the mechanical STEP file and the electrical interface drawing from their supplier and verify busbar alignment before committing to a structural design.
MEB 590 versus VDA 355: a brief comparison
The MEB 590 is larger than the VDA 355 module (approximately 355 × 151 × 108 mm) and carries roughly twice the energy per module in comparable configurations. The VDA format is more widely used across multiple OEMs; the MEB 590 is more closely associated with the Volkswagen MEB platform and its licensees. A detailed format comparison is covered separately on vda355.com; for the purposes of specifying MEB 590 modules, the relevant point is that the two formats are not mechanically interchangeable.
Applications
The MEB 590 module was designed for automotive traction packs, and that remains its primary use. However, the same mechanical standardisation that benefits automotive pack design also suits stationary storage: containerised and cabinet-format battery energy storage systems (BESS) can use MEB 590 modules in standardised racks, simplifying sourcing and maintenance. Second-life automotive modules in MEB 590 format are also entering the stationary market, where the remaining capacity and cycle life are still commercially useful. Applications of the MEB 590 module covers both automotive and stationary use cases in more detail.
The IEC standard IEC 62619, published by the International Electrotechnical Commission, defines safety requirements for secondary lithium cells and batteries used in stationary applications — relevant for any MEB 590 deployment outside a type-approved vehicle. Transport of modules is governed by UN 38.3, administered by UNECE.
Get MEB 590 modules
Avantis Energy supplies MEB 590 modules from stock and to specification, with full technical documentation. Review the available VDA and MEB battery modules or contact Avantis Energy with a technical question or request for quotation.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of an MEB 590 module?
An MEB 590 module measures approximately 590 mm (length) × 225 mm (width) × 107–112 mm (height). The height varies between suppliers depending on cell geometry and integration method. Engineers should confirm the exact height with their supplier before finalising a module bay design.
What does the MEB 590 format standardise?
The MEB 590 format standardises the mechanical outer envelope, mounting interface, cooling surface geometry and busbar positions. It does not fix the cell chemistry, cell capacity or series-parallel configuration. Two conforming modules from different suppliers may therefore differ in voltage, energy content and mass.
What is the typical energy content of an MEB 590 module?
A common 2P8S NCM configuration with 113 Ah cells yields approximately 6.7–6.9 kWh at a nominal voltage of around 29.6 V. LFP configurations in the same envelope typically yield 5.1–6.1 kWh at roughly 25.6 V nominal. Both figures depend on the specific cell used.
Can MEB 590 modules be used in stationary storage?
Yes. The standardised mechanical envelope and cooling interface that suit automotive pack assembly also work well in rack-based stationary storage systems. Both new-production and second-life MEB 590 modules are used in containerised and cabinet battery energy storage systems. IEC 62619 applies to stationary lithium battery deployments.
Is the MEB 590 format interchangeable with the VDA 355 format?
No. The MEB 590 (approximately 590 × 225 × 108 mm) and the VDA 355 (approximately 355 × 151 × 108 mm) differ in length and width and are not mechanically interchangeable. They serve different pack architectures and, in automotive use, different vehicle platforms.