VW ID.3 in China: new battery, low price
Vokswagen unveiled a 20,000 euro electric car concept last week - ID. EVERY1. However, it will get a production version and will only go on sale in 2027. Meanwhile, in China, VW already has a budget electric hatchback in the works. The VW-SAIC joint venture has revealed an updated version of the VW ID.3 electric car. It gets a new CATL battery and some interior updates. But the main thing is the price, half the European price.
Here's What We Know
The VW ID.3 in Chinese specification is equipped with a 53.6 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, providing a range of up to 451 kilometres on the local CLTC test cycle. On the European WLTP cycle, this will be around a third less. Charging from 30 per cent to 80 per cent takes 48 minutes, while the European 52-kilowatt battery supports up to 145 kW and charges from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 25 minutes.
LFP batteries are cheaper to manufacture, safer and more durable, but have a lower energy density, making them heavier and larger than their NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) counterparts.
The interior of the Chinese ID.3 has also received new additions: a 12.9-inch screen instead of a 10-inch one, a new centre console with wireless charging and two cup holders.
Price surprises
But the biggest surprise is the price. The base version of the ID.3 in China costs just €15,400, while the most expensive configuration starts at €17,600. For comparison, in Germany ID.3 is sold from 33 330 euros, and even including the subsidy turns out to be a minimum of 29 760 euros. However, it should also be taken into account that the equipment of the Chinese ID.3, as a rule, is worse than the European one.
Source: Auto Motor und Sport
