Clive drives a Volkswagen ID.3 58kWh 2021.

This is Clive’s first electric car, he’s owned the ID.3 2-3 years and drives 10,000-15,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 20,000-30,000 miles and he achieves 220 miles from a full charge.

Why did you choose the VW ID.3?

I’ve been happy with VW cars. I had a Golf BlueMotion previously and my wife has an Up! The ID.3 seemed a good price for the spec and I wanted to switch to an EV for the extremely low running costs and opportunity to make best use of low cost energy from solar panels & battery.

Positives – List 3 or more reasons why you love this electric car

• Better for the environment
• looks nice
• nice size car.

Negatives – List 3 or more things that you really don’t like about this electric car

• Not always able to charge at some chargers
• had a number of problems with the car when new but they have all been resolved
• newer cars than mine can be charged faster.

Compared to when you first bought the car, does your battery still charge at the same rate & do you still get the same range?

It doesn’t appear to have changed, I still got 240 miles max. last summer but I’m working on the principle that I will lose less than 1% every 10,000 miles.

Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?

I had a fault in one module of the main high power battery and the forward/reverse switch went wrong but both were resolved under warranty.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

• Level 1 automation
• no changing gear when driving
• auto stop
• regen breaking.

Surprise us! Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car 

Not really the car but having an electric car means my electricity provider sells me cheap electric. I put into the car sometime overnight when it suits them, so it’s charged by 7am in the morning.

What’s the biggest or funniest myth you’ve heard about EVs?

That they catch fire!! Data proves that they are somewhere between 20 and 80 times less likely to catch fire.

What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?

Tesla – looks to have better batteries and 48v electrical equipment.

Home charging unit – outline both positive & negative elements

Ohme Type 2 –  works with Intelligent Octopus Go tariff and occasionally trips out at the fuse box.

Electricity supplier & tariff – outline both positive & negative elements

Intelligent Octopus Go – very low cost night tariff, expensive daytime tariff.

What public charging networks would you recommend to others and why?

• ChargePlace Scotland – if you’re in that part of the country
• InstaVolt – good but not cheap
• Try to avoid old chargers, round the back of libraries etc. that have been there for decades.

Insurer – outline both positive & negative elements 

LV= a good price and no problem with a claim. I had a stone chip that required a new windscreen.

Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running a VW ID.3

Probably save £50 a month on fuel. Also, no associated costs of having an engine.

See other Volkswagen ID.3 Owner Reviews here