A recent four-year, 160,000 km endurance test conducted by Germany’s largest automobile club, ADAC, has demonstrated strong long-term battery performance in the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S. Carried out at the ADAC Test and Technology Centre in Landsberg am Lech, the evaluation subjected the electric hatchback’s 77 kWh usable battery pack to demanding real-world conditions. Over 40 percent of all charging sessions used high-speed DC fast chargers, and testers occasionally left the battery at a full 100 percent state of charge for extended periods—despite conventional advice against this practice.
Upon completion of the trial, the ID.3’s high-voltage battery retained 91 percent of its original net capacity. This retention rate surpasses Volkswagen’s warranty requirement, which guarantees at least 70 percent capacity after eight years or 160,000 km for all ID. models. Martin Sander, member of the Volkswagen Board of Management, noted that “a high battery capacity of over 90 percent after 160,000 kilometers confirms that our ID. models are also very attractive as used cars.”
The ADAC engineers also highlighted the importance of over-the-air software updates applied during the test period. One update increased the maximum charging power to 170 kW, reducing station dwell time, while another enhanced the Electric Vehicle Route Planner to better factor in traffic and charger availability for long trips. But most importantly, software updates had a direct impact on the car’s efficiency and range. New software reduced energy consumption, particularly during short trips and in cold winter weather, where temperatures hovered between 32°F and 41°F.
Beyond battery and software performance, the examination covered the vehicle’s body, chassis, suspension, and steering. No significant wear or performance issues were observed, indicating that the ID.3’s structural components effectively handled the high mileage. The ADAC results suggest that modern electric vehicles, supported by timely software maintenance and robust battery management, can sustain high efficiency and reliability under extended, rigorous use.
Source: ArenaEV
