2021 VW ID.4 electric SUV rated at 250 miles of range Volkswagen ID 4 has 250-mile range estimate certified by the EPA - Roadshow
The ID.4 does indeed look promising. We need to bear in mind, however, when looking at EPA range estimates, that they’re pretty reasonable unless you’re driving a long time at high speeds, or under cold conditions, etc. It’s very much a combined city and highway estimate, under reasonable conditions. IIRC, Ben Sullins, on his partly Tesla-related YouTube channel, has found that road tripping (often at >70MPH) in their Model Y, only gets around 3/4 of its EPA rating, even though its mostly right in-town, or at moderate highway speeds. So, temper the 250-mile estimate for the ID.4 carefully if you expect to do road tripping in it. Make sure you have at least one DC fast charger in your path.
At the risk of agitating some Tesla owners, I've found that Tesla advertises maximum range (as in 100% charge and summer temps) so with a Tesla, one should take 80% of that range since you will be changing that setting in your MFD and telling the car to charge to 80% for your daily drive anyway. Start with 80% and then subtract based on temp/driving conditions/traffic etc. With some other manufacturers, there is a top end buffer so "100%" isn't 100% of the battery so there's your reduced range right there given the same gross capacity. However, I believe VW has a smaller top end buffer so it would be wise to take 80% of that 250 mile number as well since you would be charging to 80% anyway. We'll have to see if the 250 mile rating is maximum rating or typical rating once the reviews come out. (i.e. will it be like the Taycan or any Tesla model)
I think Tesla’s approach is better. Yes, 99% of the time you only charge up to 80%. However, you can, before (preferably minutes before), comparatively-rare long road trips charge up all the way, really, up to the actual 100% full battery. When the manufacturer hides charging margins from you, you can’t ever, not even very rarely where it would have little effect upon battery longevity, use the entire capacity of the battery. With a Tesla, you can use the entire battery capacity, occasionally.
