ADAC Test Results for the Volkswagen ID 3 Electric Car: 100,000 Miles and Battery Performance

Long-Term ADAC Test Details

In a four-year study, the German Automobile Club (ADAC), Europe's largest automobile association, conducted an extensive test on the popular Volkswagen ID 3 Pro S Tour electric car. This electric vehicle covered more than 25,000 miles annually, during which the impact of intensive use on the performance of its battery packs was precisely analyzed.

The electric car, with a battery capacity of 77 kWh, was delivered in May 2021. Since its reception, several drivers have driven it for a total distance exceeding 100,000 miles over the four-year period, during which its battery underwent continuous and precise inspection by the Bavarian Test and Technology Center to assess its condition and performance.

Battery Performance Exceeds Warranty Expectations

Volkswagen typically guarantees that the ID 3's battery will retain at least 70% of its original capacity after eight years of use or 160,000 kilometers (approximately 99,400 miles). However, test results showed that this particular vehicle maintained 91% of its initial capacity after four years and 107,000 miles, confirming that it remains within a healthy operating range and does not require electric car batteries replacement according to warranty terms.

Real-World Charging Habits and Their Impact

It is estimated that the ID 3 lost only eight miles from its official maximum range of 336 miles, despite relying on fast charging stations for 40% of the total charging time during the test period. More importantly, ADAC revealed that the electric car was often charged to 100% and left parked for several days before being driven again. While most car manufacturers typically recommend charging up to 80% and maintaining a low battery charge level when parking the car for long periods, ADAC wanted to conduct a test that represents real-world usage conditions and the behavior of ordinary owners.

Range Comparison and the Impact of Software Updates

As part of a comprehensive electric vehicle test, the German Automobile Club (ADAC) revealed that the Volkswagen ID 3 achieved a range of approximately 250 miles when driven on highways, which is less than the officially declared range of 326 miles according to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). WLTP is a global standard aimed at measuring fuel consumption, emissions, and driving range for cars in a way that is closer to real-world driving conditions. In addition, ADAC noted that Volkswagen provided several Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates during the test period, which led to fixing a number of errors and improving charging capacity to 170 kilowatts.

Volkswagen also confirmed that the software updates had a significant positive impact on energy consumption and driving range. The company explained that the new software contributed significantly to improving energy efficiency, especially when driving short distances and in winter temperatures ranging between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius (32 to 41 Fahrenheit).

Other Studies Confirm the Durability of Electric Vehicle Batteries

The data extracted from this comprehensive analysis of electric vehicle performance in real-world conditions confirms many recent studies highlighting that concerns about the degradation of electric car batteries are often exaggerated. This misconception may deter potential buyers and contribute to the depreciation of used electric vehicles in the market. For example, a Swedish car broker recently discovered through battery health reports for over 1000 used electric cars that the batteries of all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles retain more than 90% of their original capacity, even after long distances and heavy reliance on fast charging. Similarly, the British leasing company Arval, in its independent studies, found that the average battery health level was 93%, and concluded that the average capacity remains close to 90% even after 124,000 miles.

Sustainability and Environmental Benefits of Electric Vehicles

For many used electric vehicles, this means that the advertised range decreases by only a few miles, while charging speeds and efficiency remain largely consistent. Due to having significantly fewer complex mechanical components that can fail, electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly popular choice as an affordable and highly reliable used car.

This aspect gains particular importance considering reports that electric vehicles only achieve carbon neutrality for society after covering a distance of 13,500 miles or approximately two years of use, attributed to the energy-intensive nature of their manufacturing process. Only at this stage do electric vehicles increasingly stand out as a 'green' option compared to their fuel-dependent, high-consumption alternatives.

Simply put, electric vehicles become more environmentally friendly the longer they are owned and operated, especially if regularly charged during off-peak hours, when surplus renewable energy sources are often available from energy providers. Additionally, a significant portion of the battery pack components can be recycled at the end of their lifecycle, giving electric vehicles a strong justification as a sustainable option, even in their later stages of use.