A Volkswagen team recently took the new all-electric ID.7 Pro S out for a nearly-800km drive on a single battery charge, serving to demonstrate the continuing evolution of battery electric vehicle technology.
The Volkswagen Team Switzerland headed by project led Felix Egolf, an expert in long-distance driving with electric cars, recently toured the Zug metropolitan area south of Zurich in the company’s new ID.7 Pro S touring saloon.
The all electric sedan has a  listed WLTP range of 709 kilometres,  but was able to significantly exceed this figure, travelling a total of 794 kilometres while driving an approximately 81km circuit of Zug with eight different drivers on two consecutive days.
According to Volkswagen, the average consumption was an exceptionally low 10.3kWh/100km – comparing nicely to the lowest WLTP value of the model, 13.6kWh/100km.
Converting this to diesel, the average consumption achieved works out to be around 1.1 litres per 100km.
The ID.7 Pro S was driven during the day on a defined route in normal traffic flow during the middle of last week, including sections of both through-roads and motorways.
It was driven at an average speed of 51km/h and, according to Volkswagen, is not even the most range-favourable equipment variant of the ID.7 Pro S. It says the model driven featured optional equipment such as the comfort package, IQ.drive assist systems package, and a heat pump.
Part of the reason the ID.7 Pro S was able to achieve such impressive driving range is due to the car’s new efficiency drive and excellent aerodynamics, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.23 (depending on equipment).
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.