Brake friction manufacture, TMD Friction, has been selected to provide drum brakes for the new high-tech battery-electric Volkswagen ID.3.

The lightweight design of the drum brakes complements the ID.3’s environmental credentials by producing considerably less brake dust into the atmosphere than its disc brake counterparts due to its largely closed system. The brake friction products supplied by TMD Friction also meet the latest environmental standards in terms of copper content.

While disc brakes are considered more powerful, the combination with electric drive, which uses recuperation for a large proportion of braking performance, means this degree of power is no longer necessary. In addition to their function as driving brakes, drum brakes also serve as the parking brake, where their design makes them inherently more suitable than disc brakes, providing the ideal solution at the rear of the ID.3.

The ID.3 is rear-wheel drive, which means in the event that full braking force is required, the higher wheel loading at the rear transfers more braking force to the road. The TMD brake linings are designed specifically for this drive configuration and deliver exactly the right performance and comfort characteristics.

Vincenzo Di Caro, Senior Manager Vehicle Programmeat TMD Friction, said, “Brake linings generally do not overheat as a result of individual braking manoeuvres, but more likely due to sustained braking, such as during downhill driving, or continued repetitive braking. However, the added support of recuperation in electric vehicles considerably reduces the thermal loads generated by this kind of braking.”