Volkswagen will provide an eight-year/100,000 mile warranty on the batteries in its new range of ID electric cars.

The first model in the new family, the ID 3, will launch before the end of the year.

Since pre-orders for the car opened on May 8, more than 15,000 customers across Europe have placed a £750 deposit. The first cars are expected to be delivered next summer, with a 260-mile range. Prices are not yet confirmed but expected to be around £40,000 for the launch edition.

Customers will be offered a choice of battery capacities to suit their budget and range requirements.

If an owner of an ID vehicle is not interested in being able to drive long distances they can opt for a battery with a relatively low energy content. This, in turn, will make their vehicle less expensive.

Those who frequently drive long distances can choose a larger battery, which will make them more flexible in terms of how they use their car.

Volkswagen says vehicles in the ID line-up will have ranges of between 205 and 340 miles, depending on vehicle type and battery selection.

The battery guarantee ensures the battery retains 70% of its useable capacity within eight years or 100,000 miles.  

“Our goal is to make sure the batteries last as long as the cars”, said Frank Blome, head of Volkswagen’s Centre of Excellence in Salzgitter.

Volkswagen designed the batteries to be able to accommodate a charging capacity of up to 125kW, which is higher than anything achieved to date in the ID 3’s segment and ensures fast charging and shorter charging stops.

It expects that around 50% of all charging operations will be performed at home and 20% work, therefore has developed a range of wallbox chargers that can charge the car overnight or during the working day.

If the battery is charged at a fast charging station with a high capacity, around 160 miles of additional range could be charged in 30 minutes.