VW ID.3 Endurance Test: 93% Capacity After 62K Miles

ADAC’s Unprotected Battery in Long-Term Test

The Volkswagen ID.3 has taken the favorable opinion of Germany’s ADAC — Europe’s largest motor association — after undergoing a thorough 62,000-mile long-term test over the course of two and a half years.

Experimenters from the ADAC Evaluation and Technology Facility in Landsberg am Lech have clocked up more than 62,000 miles (100,000 kilometers) with a Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S, and discovered that its 77-kWh battery – which is shared by all models of the ID – still holds 93 percent of the charge it had originally and has presented no anomalies.

That considerably surpasses the 70 percent coverage promised by Volkswagen under their new vehicle warranty over an timespan of Eight years and One hundred thousand miles of driving.

ADAC reported its exams had not taken into account the preservation of the battery, usually charging it to a full 100% at speedy DC charging hubs with the intention of completing a 62,000-mile span in the shortest possible time. However, Volkswagen advised fast charging to just 80%, viewing it as an effective method for prolonging the life of the battery.

In order to guarantee that the testers would experience a maximum range, ADAC charged the battery of the ID vehicle to 100 percent and subsequently tested the real-world driving range, which was established to be 400 km (248 miles). This marked the debut examination of this sort by ADAC in respect to vehicles made part of the Volkswagen ID lineage.

Between the trials, the ID.3 had been frequently inspected by experts from ADAC. The association investigated eight prime criteria and more than 300 subordinate expectations, going from technological know-how and protection to control, useability, and impact on the environment.

ADAC, the German motoring association, strongly advocates installing software updates for car owners. Whilst completing their recent endurance trial, they implemented a number of changes to the Volkswagen ID. 3, including an upgrade that enabled it to have enhanced charging capabilities of up to 170 kW.

In addition to bug-fixing, the changes also led to appreciable gains in efficiency and battery life. Especially noteworthy is the increased fuel efficacy for trips of shorter length and low winter temperatures ranging from 0-5°C (32-41°F).

ADAC justices were commending VW ID.3’s smart Electric Vehicle Route Planner, which the EV was able to avail of through a recent upgrade. When opting for an itinerary greater in length, the arrangement of charging stops is devised in a fashion such that the ultimate goal can be achieved in the quickest time achievable.

Apart from the level of power, the Electric Vehicle Route Planner also examines the current traffic situation and makes projections. In addition, charging pauses are evaluated dynamically and based on the capabilities of each location. For example, route planning might encourage two short charges with substantial strength as opposed to a single longer charge with lesser power.

Be aware, not all was well with the ID.3 according to ADAC; citing challenges arising from software programming, mediocre performance of the infotainment system and lack of functionality for battery preheating (though that will be available with a forthcoming update); plus acknowledged difficulties such as tricky tactile controls on the wheel and inaccurate temperature sliders.

Source: ADAC