Volkswagen ID.3 1st EV charger: which one fits best?
The Volkswagen ID.3 1st charges at home with a maximum AC power of 11 kW over a three-phase connection. That decides straight away which charger makes sense. A unit above 11 kW will not fill your battery faster, because the car sets the limit. With a usable battery of 58 kWh, the ID.3 1st is full again in about 5.5 hours. Want to compare the other versions first? Browse all Volkswagen EV chargers in our overview.
For the Volkswagen ID.3 1st we recommend a charger from our 11 kW EV chargers.
Charging specifications of the Volkswagen ID.3 1st
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Usable battery capacity | 58 kWh |
| Max. AC charging power (home) | 11 kW (three-phase) |
| Range (WLTP) | approx. 420 km |
| Charging time with an 11 kW EV charger | approx. 5.5 hours |
| Charging connector | Type 2 (Mennekes) |
| DC fast charging | up to 120 kW |
Which charger suits the Volkswagen ID.3 1st?
Because the ID.3 1st accepts a maximum of 11 kW AC, an 11 kW charger is the logical choice. With a three-phase connection at home you get the full charging power. Two features are worth weighing up at this power level, and both exist in our range for 11 kW units.
The first is an MID meter, a calibrated kWh meter built into the charger. It records exactly how much electricity goes into your car. That way you see what home charging costs you, separately from the rest of your household use. Our charging stations with an MID meter start at this power level.
The second is dynamic load balancing. The charger reads what the rest of your home is using, and lowers its own power when demand peaks. That keeps your main fuse from tripping on a busy evening. You will find that in our EV chargers with dynamic load balancing.
The ID.3 1st uses a Type 2 connector, like most modern chargers. At home you charge through the cable of the wallbox itself. A separate Type 2 charging cable is only needed if you want to charge at a public charging station. All of these units sit in our range of EV home chargers.
How long does the Volkswagen ID.3 1st take to charge?
With 58 kWh and 11 kW you are looking at roughly 5.5 hours for a full charge, charging losses included. Plug the VW ID.3 1st in during the evening and you drive off with a full battery. Only a single-phase connection at home? The on-board charger then draws 32 A on one phase, which comes to 7.4 kW. A full charge takes about 8 hours that way. That still fits in a night, but three phases remain the faster route.
Do you need three phases for the Volkswagen ID.3 1st?
You need three phases only to use the full 11 kW. On a single phase the car still charges at 7.4 kW. The difference is a few hours, not a different league. Not sure whether your fuse box can handle it? Ask your grid operator, or have it checked during installation. We always recommend having the connection made by a qualified electrician. That is safer, and it matters for your insurance. We arrange installation in the Netherlands, Flemish Belgium and Germany, and nowhere else. In Germany it runs through a free quote. We ship worldwide, but installation stays limited to those three countries.
Other versions of the Volkswagen ID.3
Wallbox Discounter also has charging information for the other versions of the Volkswagen ID.3:
- Volkswagen ID.3 Pure, entry version with a smaller battery
- Volkswagen ID.3 Pro
- Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S, larger battery and more range
- Volkswagen ID.3 GTX / GTX Performance
Frequently asked questions
Can the Volkswagen ID.3 1st charge at 22 kW?
No, the ID.3 1st has an 11 kW on-board charger. A 22 kW charger will therefore still charge this car at 11 kW. An 11 kW unit is exactly what you need.
Do I need a charger with an MID meter?
You need one as soon as you want to know precisely what charging costs you. A calibrated meter separates your charging sessions from the rest of your electricity use. Without that meter you charge just as fast, but you only see one figure on your household bill.