What we know!

A report of “excellent” marks the ID.3 battery, reached after four years of endurance testing. In doing so, the engineers at the Test and Technology Centre in Landsberg am Lech in Germany covered more than 160,000 kilometres. They reached the conclusion that even after that length, the high-voltage battery still boasted a net capacity of a whopping 91 percent.

The test itself involved an ID.3 Pro S with a net battery energy content of 77 kWh. For the remainder of the IDs, Volkswagen stands behind the guarantee of the ID.3 possessing at least 70 percent of its original net capacity after eight years of operation, or 160,000 kilometres of driving.

Martin Sander, a member of the Volkswagen Board of Management responsible for Sales, Marketing and After Sales, lauds these amazing results: “The result shows the impressive quality of our ID. models even after covering many kilometres. A high battery capacity of over 90 percent after 160,000 kilometres confirms that our ID. models are also very attractive as used cars and continue to meet the requirements of our customers.”

ADAC testers did not make this an easy feat! To that end, in order to reach the 160,000 kilometers as quickly as possible, rapid charging stations were used to charge the ID.3 for over 40 percent of the charging sessions. Also, the vehicle was left at the charging station with a 100 percent charge level between test drives, and sometimes over several days.

It is important to note that this endurance test was groundbreaking for an ID. family vehicle. The ID.3 was repeatedly checked between test drives by the engineers at the Bavarian Test and Technology Centre, particularly with regard to its battery condition.

The testers also shared vital input such as the clear recommendation for customers that they should always install software updates. That was done during the endurance test, with the ID.3 receiving several, including the Electric Vehicle Route Planner, which plans the charging stops on a longer route so the destination is reached as quickly as possible. In addition to the level of charge, the system also involves the current traffic situation and forecasts. Updates included an increase in charging capacity to up to 170 kW.

Thanks to the new software, power consumption over short distances and in winter temps were improved.

The ADAC testers also determined that, despite the high mileage, the body and chassis remained in good condition. In addition, the axles, suspension and steering fared well with the vehicle weight and did not exhibit any significant issues.

In performance tests, the ID.3 did about average. The ID.3 Pro S’s claimed range of 325 miles, was found to be closer to 250 in the real world, or in colder temps, 185. During these tests there were some mechanical faults over its 100,000 mile run, the largest of which was linked to the drive shaft, which took two attempts to repair.

Completely impressive during a rigorous endurance test, and the ID.3’s battery is a stand out! Retaining a net capacity of 91 percent in a four-year long test, and with software upgrades that serve to continuously improve the vehicle, the news just keeps getting better. This high-voltage battery shows no weakness in the long haul, and, without a doubt, remains purely unstoppable!