Bravo, ID.3: over 90% battery capacity after 160 thousand km

ADAC conducted a four-year long test of the electric Volkswagen ID.3. Engineers at the testing and technical center in Landsberg, Germany, covered more than 160,000 kilometers with the compact electric model. Their most important conclusion was that 91 percent of the net capacity of the 77-kilowatt-hour battery was retained. For the ID.3, as for all its other electric models, Volkswagen guarantees that the battery will retain at least 70 percent of its original net capacity after 8 years of operation or 160,000 kilometers piese auto online.

Bravo, ID.3: over 90% battery capacity after 160 thousand km

“The result shows that the quality of our ID. models remains impressive even after a long period of driving,” emphasizes Martin Sander, Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales. “The high residual battery capacity of over 90 percent after 160,000 kilometers confirms that our ID. models are also very attractive as used vehicles and that they continue to meet the requirements of our customers.”

The ADAC test team was far from sparing the battery. In order to cover the 160,000 kilometers as quickly as possible, more than 40 percent of the charging was done at fast charging stations. In addition, contrary to the manufacturer's recommendations, the ID.3 was often left at the charging station with a 100 percent charge - sometimes for several days, waiting for its next driver.

The German Automobile Club's endurance test is the first of its kind for a vehicle in the ID family. Between test drives, the ID.3 was subjected to repeated checks by engineers at the Landsberg am Lech test and technology center, with a particular focus on the condition of the battery.

ADAC recommends that customers always install software updates. As part of the long-term test, the ID.3 received several updates – including the EV Route Planner, which plans charging stops on longer journeys so that the electric vehicle can reach its desired destination as quickly as possible. The system not only takes into account the battery charge level, but also the current traffic situation and forecasts. The updates not only fix various bugs, but also increase the maximum charging power to 170 kW.

The updates also have a positive impact on electricity consumption and range. For example, the new software significantly reduces energy consumption on short journeys and in temperatures between 0 and 5°C.

ADAC adds that despite the high mileage, the body and suspension are in good condition. The suspension and steering system coped with the car's high weight without any problems - and there were no serious problems with them.

Even when driving on the highway (at moderate speeds), the ID.3 covered 400 km on a single charge (officially, according to the WLTP cycle, the range is 525 km). However, in sub-zero temperatures, users should expect 300-320 km.

The cockpit was criticized for its awkward controls, with so-called "touch sliders" for temperature and volume control. The steering wheel touchpads also proved to be quite impractical due to the lack of good feedback. The infotainment system was slow and annoying, forcing the driver to give their consent to it every time the car was started after the software update.

Under warranty, at 55,000 km, the right half-shaft was replaced - a problem known to VW. A defective GPS antenna also had to be replaced (525 euros). At 158,000 km, the original 12-volt battery gave up and the car refused to start, and the charging port cap mechanism was added to the list of "striking" parts.

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“The result shows that the quality of our ID

The ADAC test team was far from sparing the battery