Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Performance EV charger: which one fits best?

The Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Performance is the entry-level ID.3, with a 45 kWh battery. At home it charges at 7.2 kW through a two-phase onboard charger (2 x 16 A). It therefore uses two of the three phases a charger offers. That figure is the ceiling of the car itself, and it decides how long a full charge takes. The other ID.3 versions charge three-phase at 11 kW, which you can compare across all Volkswagen EV chargers.

For the Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Performance we recommend a charger from our 11 kW EV chargers.

Charging specifications of the Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Performance

Which EV charger suits the Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Performance?

This ID.3 has a two-phase onboard charger of 7.2 kW. It uses two of the three phases that a charger offers. On a three-phase 11 kW EV charger it therefore reaches its full 7.2 kW. On a single-phase 16 A point it falls back to 3.7 kW, because one phase at 16 A is all it gets.

That is why an 11 kW charger is the right match, even though the VW never draws 11 kW itself. A single-phase 32 A charger reaches the same 7.2 kW, so a 7.4 kW model is not slower either. A 22 kW charger is not faster: 7.2 kW is the car's own ceiling. It is not slower either, so it stays a sound choice if you want a charger with a MID meter.

A MID meter is a certified kWh meter. It records exactly how much electricity the ID.3 takes at home, separately from the rest of your household. So you know what charging really costs you. At 11 kW our range holds just one model with that meter. Nearly every charger with a built-in MID meter sits in the 22 kW category. A 22 kW charger costs this ID.3 no charging speed at all. If that precise record matters to you, choose a 22 kW model. If not, an 11 kW charger covers everything this ID.3 needs.

Several 11 kW models can also be operated through an app. You then see every charging session and set when the car charges, for example at night.

We arrange installation in the Netherlands, Flemish Belgium and Germany. We ship worldwide, but installation stays limited to those three countries. Elsewhere, have the connection made by a qualified electrician.

How long does the Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Performance take to charge?

On an 11 kW EV charger a nearly empty battery is full again in about 7.5 hours, charging losses included. A heavier charger will not shorten that, because the car limits itself to 7.2 kW. On a single-phase 16 A point you charge at roughly 3.7 kW. A full charge then takes about 14.5 hours, charging losses included.

On the 11 kW charger you plug in during the evening and drive off with a full battery. On a 16 A point one night is not quite enough. The ID.3 uses a Type 2 connection at home. For charging elsewhere at a point without a fixed cable, you need a Type 2 charging cable.

Other versions of the Volkswagen ID.3

Wallbox Discounter also has charger advice for the other versions of the Volkswagen ID.3:

• Volkswagen ID.3 Pro: larger battery pack
• Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S: longest range
• Volkswagen ID.3 GTX / GTX Performance: sporty top version

Frequently asked questions

Does the Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Performance charge at 11 kW at home?

No. This ID.3 has a two-phase onboard charger of 7.2 kW, and that is its ceiling. On an 11 kW charger it uses two of the three phases and reaches exactly those 7.2 kW. An 11 kW model is the safe choice: it gives the car its full 7.2 kW and leaves room for a next EV that charges faster.

Why choose an EV charger with a MID meter for the ID.3?

That depends on what you want to know. A MID meter is a certified kWh meter that separates your charging from the rest of your household use. If you want to see exactly what charging costs, it is worth it. At 11 kW the choice is limited to one model. Most buyers who want a MID meter therefore end up in the 22 kW category.