Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
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The Audi Q5 TFSIe PHEV SUV
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 Q5 is a mid-size premium SUV. The Q5 has been manufactured since 2008. The SUV is now in its second generation and uses the Volkswagen MLB platform. The Audi Q5 is available as a standard SUV or Sportback body style. The Q5 is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
The Q5 has successfully demonstrated its positioning as a premium-badged mid-size SUV, since it went on sale in 2008. The SUV has been a family-favourite with those seeking practicality, without compromising on quality and luxury. With the introduction of the hybrid drivetrain, the SUV has further extended its reach to those keen to benefit from lower tailpipe emission electric driving (42g CO2/km).
All drivers can take advantage of the lower cost of driving on pure electric mode. In fact, driving on e-mode costs less than 10 pence per mile i.e. far cheaper than using the internal combustion engine (ICE) for driving for shorter journeys.
The Q5 TFSIe PHEV has a 17.9 kWh onboard EV battery that the manufacturer claims can deliver a pure electric range up to 62 km (WLTP certified) on a fully charged battery. The EVs onboard battery is a larger size compared to the average PHEV, but that would be expected, given the size of the electric vehicle. However, expect the real-world EV range closer to 55 km, which is certainly sufficient for most daily needs, but not hugely impressive compared to the more recent PHEVs.
Audi claims a 1,8 l/100 km fuel economy, but like EV range, the real-world fuel efficiency will depend on a number of factors, to include, the use of the e-mode, powered by the electric motor/ EV battery. Bottom-line, inculcating a habit of charging on a regular basis, so that the EV range can be leveraged, is key in achieving financial savings from driving a PHEV. Charging on a regular basis is also good for the long-term maintenance and health of the EV battery. Audi offers a 8 years or 150,000 km warranty.
The Q5 PHEV has a 7.2 kW onboard charger, sufficient for charging the 17.9 kWh EV battery relatively quickly at home or at public AC charging. The EV can be fully charged in 2 hours and 30 minutes. Though an EV can be charged using a 3-PIN domestic socket, we would encourage EV drivers to charge using a dedicated residential EV charger like Easee: faster and safer in charging operation, compared to a domestic 3-PIN plug! The EV does not offer DC charging compatibility.
In terms of performance, the Q5 plug-in hybrid does not disappoint, despite the extra weight of the EV battery. The e-SUV pairs the electric motor with a 2.0-litre petrol engine. The EV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.3 seconds for the 55 TFSIe quattro S tronic and 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds for the 50 TFSIe quattro S tronic. Maximum output is 299 PS and 367 PS, respectively (top speed: 239 km/h). Bottom-line, the plug-in electric SUV is well suited for urban and motorway driving.
Apart from the attractive exterior styling, the PHEV offers a generous and spacious interior for front and rear seat passengers. Also given the more traditional SUV styling, the rear-view visibility is good. Cargo volume has been impacted by the onboard EV battery, but there is still 465 L available, albeit, smaller than the conventional Q5 SUV.
The interior quality is high, and the SUV is technology-laden, to include: Audi parking system plus, Audi pre-sense city, hill hold assist, city assist pack (optional), Audi virtual cockpit, MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch and more.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Decent EV battery size and zero-emission EV range | Top trim not cheap |
| A practical, family-friendly and environment-friendly SUV | DC charging not available |
| Good performance | Not as efficient as some newer PHEVs |
Gallery
The Audi Q5 TFSIe PHEV SUV (credit: Audi)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Body Type: | SUV |
| Engine: | Petrol-Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (3 Options) |
|---|
| SE 50 TFSIe quattro S tronic (from € 59,800) |
| S line 50 TFSIe quattro S tronic (from € 62,205) |
| Competition 55 TFSIe quattro S tronic (from € 70,715) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 17.9 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.2 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs 30 mins) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 42 – 35 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): | 1662 |
| Width (mm): | 2140 |
| Length (mm): | 4682 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2819 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.8 |
| Boot capacity (L): | 465 |
| 50 TFSIe quattro S tronic | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 17.9 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 62 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 21.4 – 20.9 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100 km): | 1.8 – 1.5 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.2 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs 30 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 239 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.1 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): | 2,075 |
| Colours: | 9 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
| 55 TFSIe quattro S tronic | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 17.9 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 58 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 21.2 – 21.4 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100 km): | 1.8 – 1.6 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.2 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs 30 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 239 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 5.3 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): | 2,075 |
| Colours: | 9 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Air Quality: An Overview
If there is one common theme that unites many of us, it is the concern over worsening air quality in our villages, towns and cities. This concern is not unique to Ireland, but a narrative that is now firmly centre stage globally. The detrimental health consequences of higher pollution, in particular, on the vulnerable, like children and the elderly is significant, and well documented.
According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), the PM2.5 concentration in Ireland is currently 1.6 times higher than the WHO annual air quality guideline value. WHO has described air pollution as the ‘single biggest environmental health risk’, leading to an increase in the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.
Electric vehicles and in particular, zero-tailpipe emission EVs, also known as battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), help improve local air quality i.e. a pure electric car does not have a tailpipe/ exhaust, hence, zero-tailpipe emissions! Without an iota of doubt, all types of EVs, to include, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are better for improving air quality, compared to conventional petrol and diesel vehicles. We encourage all drivers in Ireland to migrate to lower emission electric driving.
| Type Of Pollutants |
|---|
| Particulate matter (PM or PM 2.5) |
| Ammonia (NH3) |
| Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) |
| Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) |
| Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCS) |
| Primary Sources Of Pollutants |
|---|
| Road transportation |
| Industrial processes |
| Farming and agricultural processes |
| Waste industry |
| Energy generation |
| Domestic burning |
| Other forms of transportation, such as aviation, shipping and railroads |
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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Custom Made Single-Phase EV Charging Cable Type 2 to Type 2 (2m to 45m, 7.4 kW) – Made In Europe – Free Delivery
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Custom Made 3 Phase EV Charging Cable Type 2 to Type 2 (2m to 45m, 11kW – 22 kW) – Made In Europe – Free Delivery
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Custom-Made Tesla Compatible EV Cable Type 2 to Type 2 (2m to 25m, 7.4 kW, Black) – Free Delivery
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