Electric Cars: The Basics
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The Audi A7 TFSIe Sportback PHEV
Audi AG, a Bavaria (Germany) based luxury automotive manufacturer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, the Germany automotive group. Volkswagen AG is one of the leading automotive companies in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry. Volkswagen has committed to an investment up to Euro 30 billion by 2023. It aims to sell 3 million electric vehicles by 2025 and launch up to 70 new EV models over the next 10 years.
With the launch of its electric vehicle ID. Family, VW is fast cementing a dominant position is to become the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer by 2028, with the automotive behemoth planning to manufacturer 22 million electric vehicles. Audi also offers plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), to include:
- A3 Sportback TFSIe
- A6 TFSIe
- A6 Avant TFSIe
- A7 Sportback TFSIe
- A8 TFSIe
- A8 L TFSIe
- Q3 TFSIe
- Q3 Sportback TFSIe
- Q5 TFSIe
- Q5 Sportback TFSIe
- Q7 TFSIe
- Q8 TFSIe
The Audi A7 executive premium car has been on sale since 2010. The Audi A7 Sportback concept was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The A7 Sportback is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
If sportier looks matter, then certainly the Audi coupe-styled A7 Sportback should be on the list. Of course, given its premium heritage, the hatchback does not come cheap. But like in all plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, there is scope to lower driving costs and achieve financial savings, but for that, the PHEV has to be driven on e-mode as much as possible.
The A7 has much to offer in terms of hybrid technology. The electric vehicle (EV) has a 17.9 kWh onboard EV battery, with a claimed emission-free electric range up to 65 km. For most journeys, the electric motor and EV battery can be leveraged to reduce the overall tailpipe emissions of the vehicle and also improve the fuel economy. The Germany automotive manufacturer claims a fuel economy up to 1.5 l/100km.
However, real-world fuel economy will depend on a number of factors, to include the amount the electric hatchback has been driven on the pure electric mode. The same is also applicable to the EV range. Expect the real-world electric range to be lower than the claimed range. For the A7 PHEV achieving up to 58 km is not unrealistic.
The performance will not disappoint for those seeking a quick getaway. The 50 TFSIe quattro S tronic can achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, while the 55 TFSIe quattro S tronic can achieve it in 5.7 seconds. The top speed of the all-wheel drive EV is up to 250 km/h. Of course, as is the case for electric driving, the A7 EV also benefits from instant torque. The 2.0-litre combustion engine is paired with an electric motor, delivering up to 367 PS and 500 Nm torque.
As would be expected from Audi, the interior is high quality and refined. The Audi A7 Sportback EV interior reflects the sportier styled exterior design, with a number of ‘sporty elements’ as standard for the saloon. The A7 has a driver centric cockpit and includes twin touch screens (10.1 inches and 8.6 inches). Also included is the MMI navigation plus.
Despite the sloping roofline and the placement of the onboard EV battery, the A7 plug-in hybrid remains practical. Having said that, the coupe-styled roofline, does reduce the rear view visibility. The electric car offers 380 L boot space. The Audi A7 EV has a claimed 36 – 32 g (CO2/km) tailpipe emissions, much lower than the conventional petrol or diesel variant.
Bottom-line, electric driving benefits the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Attractive exterior styling and High quality interior | Expensive, in particular at higher specification variants |
| Four-wheel drive as standard. Refined drive | Onboard charger limited to 7.2 kW AC |
| Good emission-free range (65 km) | Rear view: blind spots |
Gallery
The Audi A7 TFSIe Sportback PHEV (credit: Audi)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Body Type: | Hatchback |
| Engine: | Petrol-Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (2 Options) |
|---|
| Audi A7 Sportback TFSIe Plug-In Hybrid Ireland (from € 79,850) |
| Competition 55 TFSI e S tronic (from € 84,285) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 17.9 kWh |
| Charging: | On-board charger 7.2 kW AC |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 36 – 32 g (CO2/km) |
| Warranty: | 8 years or 150,000 km |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | € 2.10 |
| Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | € 2.78 |
| Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | € 2.87 |
| Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | € 3.14 |
| Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | € 3.37 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in Ireland varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for Ireland is 23.97 cents/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1422 |
| Width (mm): | 2118 |
| Length (mm): | 4969 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2926 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.9 |
| Boot capacity (L): | 380 |
| 50 TFSIe quattro S tronic | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 17.9 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 60 – 65 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 20.0 – 19.4 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 1.5- 1.4 |
| Charging: | On-board charger 7.2 kW AC |
| Top Speed: | 250 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.3 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | N/A |
| Max Power (PS): | 299 |
| Torque (Nm): | 450 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight (kg): | 2,140 |
| Colours: | 9 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
| 55 TFSIe quattro S tronic | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 17.9 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 61 – 65 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 19.9 – 19.3 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 1.5 – 1.4 |
| Charging: | On-board charger 7.2 kW AC |
| Top Speed: | 250 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 5.7 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | N/A |
| Max Power (PS): | 367 |
| Torque (Nm): | 500 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight (kg): | 2140 |
| Colours: | 9 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Ireland: EV Market Overview
As is the case in a number of global markets, to include the European Union and the United Kingdom, the sale of electric cars in Ireland is also fast gaining momentum. In fact, in January 2022, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), accounted for 21% of all new cars licensed in Ireland. Put another way, more than a fifth of the cars bought in Ireland were either pure electric or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
It is also worth nothing the continued decline in the sale of diesel vehicles in Ireland, as families and businesses migrate to lower tailpipe emission electric vehicles (EVs). Diesel market share has declined from 34.2% in early 2021 to 19.7% in early 2022. We can expect this trend to continue for the forseeable future.
The government has set a target of 936,000 electric vehicles by 2030, with 845,000 to be private passenger cars. This will be approximately a third of the vehicles on roads in Ireland (currently there are 2.8 million vehicles on the road). Like many other governments, Ireland is committed to ending the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars by 2030.
The government is committed to the rapid adoption of electric cars in the country. The Department of Transport has committed €100 million for EV subsidies in 2022 (almost double the commitment in 2021). The grant for private electric vehicles is up to €5,000 on qualifying battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), do not qualify for the electric vehicle grant.
Ireland: Top Electric Cars
| Top Electric Cars | Type Of EV |
|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
| Volkswagen ID.3 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
| Nissan Leaf | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
| Renault Zoe | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
| Kia e-Niro | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
| Kia EV6 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
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