ID.3 passes 100,000 km test from German ADAC

The German ADAC, Europe’s largest automobile association, has delivered a favorable evaluation for the Volkswagen ID.3 after an extensive endurance test. Conducted at the Test and Technology Center in Landsberg am Lech, the engineers covered over 100,000 kilometers, with the primary focus on assessing the high-voltage battery’s performance. Notably, the ID.3 Pro S1 with a 77 kWh net battery energy content maintained an impressive net capacity of 93 percent.

The rigorous testing involved frequent charging to 100 percent at fast-charging stations, contrary to the recommendation, and keeping the vehicle ready at the charging station for the next tester, sometimes for several days. This comprehensive endurance test, a first for the ID. family, subjected the ID.3 to thorough evaluations between drives, ensuring a detailed examination of eight main criteria and over 300 sub-criteria covering technology, safety, handling, ease of operation, and environmental impact.

One key recommendation from ADAC to customers is to consistently install software updates. Throughout the endurance test, the ID.3 received multiple software updates, delivering various bug fixes and enhancing features like charging power, which increased to 170 kW. These updates also positively impacted consumption and, consequently, the range. Particularly noteworthy was the substantial improvement in power consumption over short distances and winter temperatures ranging from 0 to 5°C.

The ADAC testers commend the Intelligent Electric Vehicle Route Planner, which was introduced via an update. This feature plans charging stops on longer routes with the aim of reaching the destination as efficiently as possible. Taking into account the battery’s state of charge, current traffic conditions, and forecasts, the system dynamically evaluates charging stops based on pillar performance. This intelligent approach can suggest two shorter, high-power charging stops instead of a single, longer one with lower power, contributing to a more optimized and convenient driving experience.