Volkswagen ID.3 review: range, battery & charging
The Volkswagen ID.3 currently offers a choice of two battery sizes – both promise enough range and charging capability to keep most buyers out of trouble
| Battery size | Range | Wallbox charge time | Rapid charge time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45kWh* | 214-216 miles | 7hrs 30mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 31mins (10-80%, 100kW) |
| 58kWh | 260-264 miles | 9hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 31mins (10-80%, 120kW) |
| 77kWh | 339 miles | 12hrs 15mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 33mins (10-80%, 135kW) |
* currently unavailable
At launch, the Volkswagen ID.3 was available with either a 45kWh (Pure Performance), 58kWh (Pro and Pro Performance) or 77kWh (Pro S) battery. But as of January 2023, there are just two powertrains available: the ID.3 Business and Style both get the 58kWh Pro Performance battery coupled with a 201bhp electric motor, while the range-topping ID.3 Tour gets the Pro S setup.
There’s a smartphone app that you can use to control the car’s charging as well as the climate control, which allows for pre-heating on cold mornings or pre-cooling on hot ones. You can also check the level of the battery and how much range is left.
Volkswagen ID.3 range
You can’t currently order the ID.3 with the Pure Performance drivetrain; the 45kWh battery offers a range of around 215 miles, but was dropped shortly after launch.
The current cheapest ID.3 instead features the 58kWh ‘Pro Performance’ battery; enough for around 260 miles on a charge, which beats the equivalent Nissan Leaf's 239 miles but falls behind the Kia Niro EV (285 miles) and MG4 EV Long Range (up to 281 miles).
To get more range, you'll need to go for the expensive Tour range topper as this boosts range to 339 miles with its larger 77kWh ‘Pro S‘ battery. There’s an Eco Assistance driving mode that can use sat-nav data to help you maximise range – for example, by telling you to lift off when a lower speed limit is approaching, saving a small amount of energy each time. A heat pump is also available on some models.
Charge time
The ID.3 is capable of up to 11kW AC charging from standard home wallboxes and 100, 120 or 135kW charging from public rapid chargers, depending on the battery size you choose. Note that the 11kW figure for home charging is dependent on your premises having three-phase electrics – many UK properties don't.
In most cases, you'll be limited to a maximum home charging speed of 7.4kW, at which rate models fitted with a 58Wh battery will need just over nine hours to charge from empty to full, or around 12 hours for the 77kWh ID.3 Tour. Head out to a public charger and the car will take just over 30 minutes to go from 10-80% capacity at a 150kW charger.
