Plug-in Vehicle Grant: New entry-level VW ID.3 makes the list

General Guides  Low Emission Vehicles 

When the government announced changes to the Plug-in car grant back in March the number of qualifying cars was slashed dramatically. As was widely expected, it didn't take long for ranges and prices to be tweaked to allow more cars to qualify. Which is exactly where the entry-level VW ID.3 Pure Performance enters the picture.

The Volkswagen ID.3 is now available in new Pure Performance guise, and in two different trims – City and Style. The Pure Performance is differentiated by its smaller 45 kWh battery, 150bhp power output and 310 Nm of torque.

The competitive pricing means both of the new variants qualify for the Government's Plug-in Car Grant, doubling the number of ID.3s that qualify to four. The other two being the 58 kWh Life Pro and Pro Performance variants of the ID.3, which boast the longest range (around 260 miles) of any electric vehicle eligible for the grant.

The new Pure Performance variant concentrates on performance and value, offering a slightly shorter-ranged alternative to the more powerful Pro, Pro Performance and Pro S powertrains, while still providing a little bit of the instant torque that makes EVs feel so responsive. In Pure Performance versions, the ID.3 reaches 62 mph from a standstill in 8.9 seconds and matches the 99mph top speed of the rest of the ID.3 range.

In terms of charging, it can regain up to 137 miles of range from a 100kW rapid charger in 30 minutes, while a 7.2 kW home charger takes around seven and a half hours to take the ID.3 Pure Performance from 5% to 100%. On the WLTP combined cycle, the ID.3 City Pure Performance can return up to 217 miles from a single charge, while the Style Pure Performance can return as much as 215 miles.

Leasing the ID.3 City represents a great entry point into electric motoring. Included as standard are a 10-inch infotainment system and a comfort package that gives you heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rear mirror, and two rear USB-C ports.

The ID.3's interior is enhanced with a 10-colour ambient lighting system, while natural voice control and Wireless App Connect bring additional convenience and connectivity as you drive. A suite of driver assistance features is also fitted in the ID.3, with the City offering adaptive cruise control, lane assist, forward collision warning, and front and rear parking sensors.

The ID.3 Style differs from the ID.3 City with the addition of its 18-inch ‘East Derry' alloy wheels, while the inclusion of the Design Package adds IQ.Light LED matrix headlights, animation for the LED taillights, and an illuminated light band between the headlights and Volkswagen logo. Inside you get an improved 30-colour interior ambient lighting system and tinted windows. The Comfort Package Plus also adds 2-zone climate control and a variable boot floor, plus a rear-view camera, keyless entry system, and illuminated door handles also make it onto the list of standard equipment.

If your next lease is likely to be your first EV this could be an important car for you. Don't be put off by the shorter range of the ID.3 Pure Performance: 215 miles of range is more than enough for most people to commute for a few days, and the equipment levels and qualifying for the grant are excellent reasons to consider the VW.

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