Volkswagen ID.3 2021: consumption, recharging and autonomy test
The world is changing rapidly in a number of ways, including mobility. We’ve seen it in recent months, and we see it every day. There are new solutions emerging and developing that can take us from point “A” to point “B”. Among these solutions is the electric vehicle solution. The cars we drive are also changing, which is why the Nov-e test was born: To tell you the electricity as it really is, to test the facts, and highlight the aspects that matter most to us: autonomy, charging times and operating costs. We will not make you travel 1000 km, nor will we organize an excursion from North Cape to New Zealand. We will test the cars in original condition, in everyday real life. And to do it better, at MotorBox we open MotorRing: The first test circuit open to the public that does not require any FIA homologation. There is everything in our car loop: from ZTL to cobblestones, from highway toll booths to speed cameras on suburban roads. All that is full of pass … which, to verify real consumption, never hurts.
Champion # 1 is Europe’s best-selling electric vehicle: ID.3 from Volkswagen
Talking about the changes, our first hero is ID.3: a true Volkswagen revolution. In the history of the Wolfsburg family, this electrical rate represents the Third Republic: After Beetle and the Golf, it’s up to it to become, once again, the people’s car. There are no diesel or petrol filling tanks, but batteries. If we are used to using liters in conventional cars, the unit of measure for electric cars is kWh. However, the basic concept remains the same, both to account for autonomy and depreciation. There are not liters per 100 kilometers but rather kilowatt hours per 100 kilometers. ID.3 in our test contained 58 kWh batteries. According to Volkswagen, you can drive over 400 kilometers. Could it be true?
Starting with the reservoir is full, at approximately thirty kilometers from Part of the city From MotorRing, ID.3 consumed up to 9% of the battery, with a consumption of just over 20kWh per 100km. Hence, if you only travel in cities, you can count on a range of 286 km. at highway It consumes more electricity, so it is always better to travel just below the symbol’s speed, around 110/120 km / h. With cruise control installed at 130, ID.3 kills another 10% of the battery within twenty kilometers of the motorway on MotorRing, consuming 25 kWh per 100 kilometers. Under these conditions, at a constant 130 km / h, the range decreases to 228 km. To return to the pits We have covered nearly 40 km of regional roads: Steady speed, flowing traffic and few traffic lights. Consumption decreased to 18 kWh per 100 km, and the battery is 13% less. If you’re only traveling outside of town, the range goes up to 322km.
Overall, on MotorRing, the ID.3 performed the same as the conventional vehicleIt is consumed more in the city and less in suburban sections, and the highway remains the Achilles’ heel. In our very personal circuit, the Volkswagen Electric has recorded an average consumption of about 20 kWh per 100 km. In mixed group, ID.3 can have a range of 280 km. A very far value of more than 400 km declared by Volkswagen. Think about one thing: The test was conducted at temperatures between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius. Extreme cold, as well as scorching heat, greatly reduce the independence of electricity, and the reason is simple. These cars have a hydraulic circuit that keeps the batteries at the ideal operating temperature. The circuit that – you’ll understand by now – runs on the same battery: the cooler (or hotter) it gets, the more energy this system steals, And reduce independence. And remember that the air conditioner also has a lot to do with heating or cooling the passenger compartment.
The charging time always depends on where the car is plugged in: With the home socket – common 220V socket – if you have the battery on the ground, you need a little over a day (26 hours 30 minutes). With an average cost of 20 euro cents per kWh, a full ID.3 tank costs 11.60 €. With 7.4 kWh wallbox, most popular, ID.3 takes about 8 hours: the cost of recharging does not change, but bear in mind that installing a wallbox costs around 500 euros, excluding the price of the wallbox itself. . I know You cannot recharge at home You should use a public postCosts are rising. Most popular, 22 kW, recharges the battery in just over two and a half hours, but it costs money Approximately 24 euros. ID.3 can also be recharged at the top of the top, and
50 kW columns direct current (DC). Prices are right for fast charging: the battery goes from 0 to 80% in under an hour, but yeah
They pay nearly 30 euros.
In short, even for electric cars, time is money: the faster you want to recharge the battery, the higher the cost. Our advice? Browse and compare the sites and offers of the operators of charging stations and charging stations: promotions are numerous and special during this period. one last thing: Batteries recharge at speeds up to 80% then slow down for the remaining 20%. Just like with smartphones, fast charging tends to heat up batteries. Rest assured, though: Volkswagen guarantees that ID.3 batteries will only lose 30% of their effectiveness after 7 years or 160,000 km.
The ID.3 will also be electric, but it is still a Volkswagen model. It’s a little smaller than the Golf, but other than that it’s pretty much the same size, even the 385-liter luggage compartment. Compared to the bestselling average in Europe, it gains 10 cm in wheel-to-wheel distance. A feature that translates into roominess worthy of the top sedan class (See Passat): There is plenty of legroom for passengers – even the tallest ones – for head and things, with many compartments, especially in the central area. The result is possible thanks to the gearbox located next to the 5-inch digital dashboard. Then there is the large 10-inch screen in the center of the dashboard, which is easy to use and navigate, Which also manages the air conditioning. The buttons on the steering wheel and dashboard are touch sensitive, while the headlamp and mirror buttons are traditional. There are four windows but there are two types of controls: to control the back, there is a dedicated touch button.
ID Light first appears in ID.3, Which will be shown at upcoming Electric VWs. It’s a LED strip that can light up in different colors: white to indicate the car is ready to go, green if the car is being charged, red if emergency braking is activated, and blue to indicate which direction you should turn in if you are driving with the navigator. Among the options is the head-up display Which displays 3D holograms in front of the driver as indicators of the navigator: turns, intersections or access points. In an electric car, charging is important, and so is a smartphoneOn board, there are four USB C sockets (two in the front, two in the rear) and an induction charging pad. In short, in terms of practicality and technology, ID.3 doesn’t look bad compared to other VWs:
There is also a Level 2 Autonomous Driving ADAS Such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping active, and emergency braking. In the model under test, Blind Spot Monitor is missing, available from Tech Setup. In terms of quality of materials and finishes, ID.3 plays quietly with Polo and Golf.
How it works, advantages and disadvantages
The electric vehicle’s advantages undoubtedly include performance, and ID.3 is no exception: 204 hp and 310 Nm of torque ensure a scintillating ride, with a sparkling start at the traffic lights at the primary signal. Between driving mode and another, the power that is delivered does not change, but how it is delivered: Soft in eco mode, neutral in comfort, more reactive in sport. There is also an individual to adapt ID.3. I almost forgot: We did consumption tests in the eco mode. Overall, ID.3 leans more towards comfort than performance, leaving ample room for driving pleasure.
Engine and traction behind them, just like the first Beetle. The driving dynamics are neutral and never tend to underestimate it, despite the mass of more than 1,800 kg. The batteries are in the ground, lowering the center of gravity for stability. In D, it drives like a conventional car, while in B, the engine brakes are increased which take advantage of regenerative brakingSo you can always drive with just the accelerator pedal. The engine brake interference is homogeneous and without jolts: ideal for city driving. Outside, smoothness is better D. Regular braking is well adjusted, despite the soft pedal and reduced travel.
Excellent handling, allowing ID.3 to easily move in traffic, thanks to prof Really excellent turning radius for reversing direction. The steering is very neutral and progressive: soft in town, but not too soft on winding roads. In the more guided sections, I appreciate how the preparation gradually sinks in, And only initiate when blinking. The neutrality of behavior between curves is also due to the invasive intervention of traction control. You can’t stop it.
Disadvantages? The suspensions have a fairly dry response in holes and gravel: in the long term, they can jeopardize city comfort. However, on the highway, you can enjoy the excellent sound insulation of the passenger compartment, which eliminates spin noise and aerodynamic rims.
The Volkswagen ID.3 engine starts at € 38,900 for the Life Edition. There are eight Settings and three battery cuts, according to your tastes and needs. Among the discounts, promotions and environmental incentives with scrapping, your ID 3 can be deducted – also fully optional, with a 77 kWh battery – up to € 10,000.
“Proud explorer. Freelance social media expert. Problem solver. Gamer. Extreme travel aficionado.”