A recent long-term test by Germany’s largest automobile club, ADAC, provides a reassuring answer on the long-term health of a popular fully electric car, the Volkswagen ID.3. After putting the electric hatchback through a four-year, 160,000 km endurance test, the results look very promising.

The key finding was remarkable: the high-voltage battery still had a net capacity of 91% of its original value. To put that figure in perspective, Volkswagen’s warranty for all its ID. models assumes the battery will retain at least 70% of its original capacity after eight years or 160,000 km.

This result suggests that fears of rapid battery degradation may be overstated for modern electric cars. “A high battery capacity of over 90% after 160,000 kilometers confirms that our ID. models are also very attractive as used cars,” noted Martin Sander, a member of the Volkswagen Board of Management.

Tough testing

The engineers at the ADAC Test and Technology Center in Landsberg am Lech, Germany, didn’t exactly treat the VW ID.3 with gloves. Their goal was to simulate a challenging, real-world ownership experience. They subjected the car to a demanding charging routine, using high-speed DC fast chargers for over 40% of all charging sessions.

Frequent fast charging is generally considered more stressful on a battery than slower, overnight charging at home. To add to the stress, testers often ignored best practices, leaving the car parked for days at a time with its battery fully charged at 100%, a practice typically advised against for maintaining long-term battery health.

The subject of this automotive trial was a Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S, equipped with a 77 kWh usable battery pack. After the extensive 160,000 km journey, the ADAC engineers performed a final health check on the battery.

Updates crucial

The test revealed another critical aspect of modern EV ownership: the importance of software. Throughout the four-year test, the ID.3 received several over-the-air (OTA) updates. The ADAC testers strongly recommend that owners always install these updates.

The software improvements delivered more than just bug fixes. One update increased the vehicle’s maximum charging power to 170 kW, reducing the time spent at charging stations. Another update enhanced the car’s Electric Vehicle Route Planner, making it more intelligent in planning long trips by considering traffic and charger availability.

Software updates had a direct impact on the car’s efficiency and range. The new software reduced energy consumption, particularly during short trips and in cold winter weather, where temperatures ranged from 0°C to 5°C. At the beginning of the test, the average electricity consumption was 20 kWh/100 km; by 172,000 km, it had decreased to 18.3 kWh/100 km. The charging speed also improved. After the 3.2 software update, the charging speed increased by 10 to 30%, reaching up to 160 kW at a fast charger.

This indicates that, unlike a gasoline-powered car, an electric vehicle can continually improve its performance and efficiency over time. The ADAC also noted that, beyond the battery, the rest of the car also performed well. The body, chassis, suspension, and steering showed no significant problems, handling the vehicle’s substantial weight without issue over the high mileage.

250,000 km and more

The technicians of ADAC want to use the car further; the next check-up will be at 250,000 km, and apparently, they want to drive the car until there’s a major breakdown. The balance, after 160,000 km, is undoubtedly positive, but testers also complained about the software, a VW issue, and the operation of the controls.

Sliders at the steering wheel and touch controls on the screen were impractical and lacked feeling. The slowness of the infotainment system was also a source of irritation. They also found that maintenance was not cheap, and during the test, the car had to be repaired several times for usually minor problems. Sometimes, they weren’t necessarily linked to the type of car, such as a broken windscreen (resulting from a stone impact) or a defective parking sensor (caused by the same issue).