Volkswagen ID.4 – an electric car in winter Russia: does it make sense to buy

Winter, frost, snow are common phenomena in Russia. Therefore, operating a car during cold weather is an issue that worries most car owners in the Russian Federation. And while solid experience has been accumulated in the case of internal combustion engines, operating electric cars in winter can cause problems. How are they solved if they actually exist?


In order not to limit ourselves to general phrases, let us turn to the experience of a specific car owner who has at his disposal one of the popular VW models - the Volkswagen ID.4. Let's consider how it behaves in urban conditions when the temperature outside is sub-zero.

Why an electric car?

If we talk about VW products, then pragmatism is at the forefront. For example, a petrol Volkswagen Tiguan with all-wheel drive, depending on the configuration, will cost in the range of 3 million 680 thousand rubles. up to 5 million 450 thousand rubles. And for the VW ID.4, the price starts at 3 million 295 thousand. In addition, constant driving around the city implies increased fuel consumption. Another plus is that the electric car is longer than the gasoline Tiguan (4,584 m versus 4,526 m): this means that the trunk is a little larger and/or there will be more space for the rear passengers.

Technical features of the Volkswagen ID.4

This model is the first fully electric car from Volkswagen. The role of the power unit is played by a single motor mounted on the rear axle. The machine is available in several versions intended for the US, EU and Chinese markets. The maximum power of the electric motor is 204 “horses”. The SUV is rear-wheel drive, which is somewhat unusual for cars of this class.

About power reserve

Officially, according to the “unspoiled” hard WLTP cycle, it is 531 km. But there are some nuances here. For example, if the battery is not completely discharged, but leaves twenty percent of the capacity (this is what most owners of electric cars do), then the mileage will decrease to approximately 400 km. But this is in the summer.


ID.4 is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 82 kWh: in winter, the power reserve drops to 250 km with active use of all kinds of consumers. This is with the seat heaters, window heaters and other options turned on: that is, according to the principle “drive and don’t deny yourself anything.” In the summer, it is enough to charge the battery once a week. In winter, the gap is reduced: the capacity will have to be replenished every 2-3 days.

About the battery charging process

If the car is used in the city and you have your own garage, then an electric car becomes extremely profitable in terms of energy purchase costs. One kWh at night is calculated at a reduced rate: in different cities the rate, of course, differs, but generally it is less than two rubles. It is enough to program the charger so that it turns on at the cheapest time, and the minimum cost of electricity for the car is ensured. Replenishing the battery's energy to 80% will take at least seven hours.


That is if you have a European VW variant. For Chinese versions, a GB/T (alternating current) type port rated at 7 kW is provided. Therefore, a full charge will take 9-10 hours. If necessary, you can use an electric charging station: a high-speed method and a power of 100 kW will require approximately 30 minutes.


In this case, the electric car can be operated for a long time at a power of 95 hp. With. (70 kW). It is worth noting: when driving evenly (for example, outside the city), electricity consumption is low and at a speed of 100 km/h, a power of 20 “horses” or 15 kW is sufficient. Another important advantage of the VW ID.4 is its minimum maintenance.


There are, of course, disadvantages. Still, going on a long trip, especially if it’s in remote areas without electric zones, is risky. And little things like touch-screen door handles freezing in extreme cold worry me so much. At very low temperatures, the multimedia display may turn off. The problem is solved by updating the program. But in general, the Volkswagen ID.4 is quite appropriate for city trips, like a second car in the family.