SHERIDAN, WYOMING – October 25, 2024 – The Volkswagen Team Switzerland, under the project management of Felix Egolf, an expert in long-distance journeys with electric cars, has succeeded in achieving an impressive feat with the new all-electric ID.7 Pro S. With a single battery charge and 15 hours 42 minutes of pure driving time, they covered a total of 794 kilometers, exceeding the model's maximum WLTP range (combined) of up to 709 kilometers. The comfortable touring sedan was on public roads and in normal traffic flow throughout the entire journey.
The journey took place on an approximately 81-kilometer-long circular route in the greater Zug area, south of Zurich. The route profile corresponded to everyday driving with town driving, highway sections, and country roads with hilly transitions. Eight different drivers covered a total of 794 kilometers in two consecutive days on just a single battery charge. This is roughly equivalent to the distance from Basel to Emden in northern Germany, where the ID.7 is built. The average consumption was at an extraordinarily low level of 10.3 kWh/100 km. By comparison, the lowest WLTP value for the model is 13.6. Converted to diesel, the average consumption driven means only about 1.1 liters per 100 km.
The range of 794 km was driven in the middle of last week during the day in normal traffic flow. The average speed was 51 km/h; the displayed remaining range was two kilometers. Another interesting detail: The model driven was not the most range-favorable variant of the ID.7 Pro S. According to WLTP calculations, the vehicle, which is equipped with optional features such as the comfort package, assistance package IQ.DRIVE, the exterior package "Plus," and a heat pump, has a WLTP range of 700 km.
Driving as far as possible with as little consumption as possible. Driving in an extremely energy-saving manner is the specialty of Felix Egolf, a so-called hypermiler. Back in 2020 and 2021, the Swiss driver completed two record-breaking journeys in the ID.3: Once, he significantly exceeded the theoretical range of the ID.3¹ ˢᵗ from Zwickau in Saxony to Schaffhausen (Switzerland) with 531 km. In the second record attempt with a larger battery, the ID.3 Pro S achieved a total of 602 km on a single charge over 15 Alpine passes and 13,000 meters of altitude.
The ID.7 Pro S is economical on the road thanks to its new efficiency drive and very good aerodynamics (Cd value of 0.23, depending on equipment). Depending on the optional equipment, a combined WLTP consumption of 16.2 to 13.6 kWh/100 km was determined for the ID.7 Pro S. With the most range-favorable equipment, the WLTP range is up to 709 km. Charging times are short: In 10 minutes – the time frame of a coffee break – energy for approx. 244 km flows into the battery at 200 kW⁶ charging power; in approx. 26 minutes, it is charged from 10 to 80 percent again.
The optional e-route planner in the ID.7 is also helpful, as it calculates an optimal route taking into account the current battery charge and the available charging stations along the route. It shows the driver the best charging points and plans the necessary charging stops to make the journey efficient. It also takes into account real-time traffic data to find the fastest and most convenient route.