The Impressive Performance of a 107,000-mile Volkswagen ID 3 Battery
A recent test conducted by the ADAC, Germany’s leading automobile association, on a 107,000-mile Volkswagen ID 3 showcased the remarkable durability and efficiency of the electric vehicle’s battery. Despite covering a substantial distance, the ID 3 only lost eight miles of usable battery range throughout its four-year lifespan.
The test revealed that the 77kWh battery had experienced a modest 9% decrease in capacity due to regular charging up to 100% and extended periods of being left at full charge. However, continuous software updates implemented by Volkswagen significantly enhanced the energy efficiency of the vehicle, effectively offsetting the battery losses over time.
Initially, the ID 3 managed 3.11 miles per kWh in laboratory testing in 2021, but with the software updates, it now achieves an impressive 3.40mpkWh. In real-world driving conditions, the vehicle averaged 2.70mpkWh over the entire 107,000 miles.
Furthermore, the updates have also improved the charging capabilities of the ID 3. While it previously reached a maximum charging rate of 125kW, it can now charge at a faster rate of 160kW, resulting in a time savings of approximately two minutes when charging from 10% to 80%.
Throughout its life, the battery’s state of health was closely monitored, starting at 96% capacity at 13,500 miles and gradually decreasing to 91% at 90,600 miles. Despite these reductions, the ID 3 remained well above the battery warranty threshold of 70% original capacity at 100,000 miles or 10 years.
Looking ahead, the ADAC plans to continue testing the ID 3 and will assess its battery health once again at 250,000km (155,000 miles), further demonstrating the longevity and reliability of Volkswagen’s electric vehicle technology.
