Volkswagen experiments on people with its troubled ID.3 e-hatch

Software bugs still prevent Volkswagen from shipping its all-electric ID.3 hatchback, even after multiple delays and cutting down on the features. In the meantime, the company offered its employees to act as beta testers of these cars.

VW will be giving 150 vehicles to its volunteering personnel in Dresden, Chemnitz and Zwickau. The recipients will be chosen at random. They are expected to drive their cars on a day-to-day basis and then report to VW about their performance and possible issues. This experiment will last several weeks.

When the Volkswagen ID.3 finally hits the market, it will do so in the 1st Edition spec equipped with a single electric motor rated at 204 hp (150 kW) and 310 Nm (230 lb-ft) of torque. Its 58-kWh battery will grant it up to 420 kilometers (261 miles) of range. Prices in Europe are expected to lie between €40,000 and €50,000.