Testing has shown that electric vehicles have the capability to retain almost all of their battery efficiency after more than 100,000 miles.
New testing from Germany's Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC) found that a Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S lost just eight miles of its usable battery range after travelling around 105,000 miles.
Engineers tested the ID.3 by covering more than 160,000 kilometres, with the high-voltage battery retaining an impressive 91 per cent of net capacity.
The ID.3 was powered using rapid charging stations for over 40 per cent of sessions, with the vehicle being left at a charging station with a 100 per cent charge level between test drives.
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ADAC
|The Volkswagen ID.3 lost just eight miles of battery range after 170,000km of testing
ADAC, which is the German equivalent of the UK's AA, tested the popular ID.3 model at its Test and Technology Centre in Landsberg am Lech.
During the testing period, the ID.3 received several software updates, which is always recommended by ADAC.
One of these updates included the Electric Vehicle Route Planner, which plans charging stops on longer routes to arrive at their destination the fastest.
Volkswagen reported that the updates had a positive effect on consumption, which ended up boosting the range.
The new software also improved power consumption over short distances and in harsh winter conditions between zero and 5C.
After just almost 22,000km, the "State of Health" fell to 96, although this level was retained for the next 48,000km, before dropping to 95 per cent.
Between 84,264km and 169,651km, the State of Health only fell three per cent, with ADAC identifying that the ID.3 remains well-suited for long journeys.
Volkswagen guarantees that the ID.3 model will retain at least 70 per cent of its original capacity at 100,000 miles or after 10 years through its battery warranty.
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The ID.3 had a range of 438km (272 miles) at the start of the endurance test, with this dropping to 425km (264 miles) after 172,000km (106,875 miles), losing just eight miles.
Martin Sander, member of the Volkswagen Board of Management responsible for Sales, Marketing and After Sales, said the ID.3's performance in the testing was a testament to the brand.
He continued, saying: "The result shows the impressive quality of our ID. models even after covering many kilometres.
"A high battery capacity of over 90 per cent after 160,000 kilometres confirms that our ID. models are also very attractive as used cars and continue to meet the requirements of our customers."
ADAC
|The Volkswagen ID.3 was found to perform well in winter temperatures
The ADAC said it would continue to analyse the battery performance of the ID.3, with the next "intermediate stop" coming at around 250,000km.
Prices of the Volkswagen ID.3 start from £30,860 in the UK, with an electric range of between 240 miles and 369 miles, depending on the trim.
The low price point allows drivers to make use of the incoming Electric Car Grant, which was recently unveiled for drivers to save up to £3,750 on EVs that cost less than £37,000.
The ID.3 is the cheapest electric vehicle on the market from Volkswagen in the UK, although the German brand is expanding its offering with the ID.4, ID.5, ID.7 and ID.7 Tourer.