Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
Different Type Of Electric Vehicles (EVs): An Introduction
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What Is Regenerative Braking: The Complete Guide For Ireland
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Benefits Of Green Energy: A Guide For Ireland
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EV Charging Cables: A Guide For Ireland
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How Much Does It Cost To Charge An Electric Car At Home: The Complete Guide For Ireland
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The BMW X1 SUV PHEV
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), is a leading global automotive manufacturer headquartered in Munich, Germany. BMW is well known for its portfolio of luxury vehicles, to include the famed Rolls-Royce luxury cars. The group manufacturers a number of cars under its BMW brand, to include battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The company currently has the following portfolio of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
- BMW 2 Series Active Tourer PHEV
- BMW 3 Series Saloon PHEV
- BMW 3 Series Touring PHEV
- BMW 5 Series Saloon PHEV
- BMW 5 Series Touring PHEV
- BMW 7 Series PHEV
- BMW X1 PHEV
- BMW X2 PHEV
- BMW X3 PHEV
- BMW X5 PHEV
The BMW X1 compact luxury SUV has been on sale since 2009. The SUV is currently on its second generation. The BMW X1 PHEV is available as an all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard. The BMW X1 PHEV is a good entry-level option for consumers seeking a premium-badge, financial savings and lower tailpipe emissions from a compact SUV.
The BMW plug-in hybrid electric vehicle has a 8.82 kWh onboard EV battery, with a quoted WLTP electric range up to 52 km. Most of the recent PHEVs incorporate a larger EV battery and deliver a higher zero-emission EV range. Having said that, for shorter distances, in particular, in towns and cities, an electric range over 50 km is more than sufficient.
Despite the quoted manufacturers electric range, expect the real-world range to be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: the way the electric vehicle (EV) is driven, the conditions of the road, speed, weather, passenger load, regenerative braking profile and more. A real-world pure electric range will be closer to 45 km.
We at e-zoomed recommend (when appropriate), to always choose the maximum available regen braking profile in the EV. This will help recuperate more energy and increase the overall fuel-economy of the electric car. Moreover, we also suggest to keep the EV battery ‘topped up’, as the more the EV can be driven on electric mode, the higher the financial savings. Keep in mind that driving an EV per km is usually between 5 and 10 cents i.e. much cheaper than driving using petrol or diesel.
The X1 EV has a 3.6 kW onboard charger, sufficient for charging a small 8.82 kWh EV battery. 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 can be fully charged in 3 hours. The electric car does not offer DC charging. BMW offers a 8 years or 160,000 km warranty for the EV battery.
The all-wheel drive BMW X1 xDrive25e PHEV pairs a 1.5-litre (3-cylinder) petrol combustion engine, with an electric motor (70 kW). The EV achieves 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, with a top speed of 190 km/h (electric mode: 130 km/h). Of course, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will be a little heavier than the internal combustion engine variant, given the additional weight of the onboard EV battery. However, a PHEV does gain from the availability of instant torque.
The plug-in SUV has a claimed fuel economy up to 1.9 l/100km, but this will vary, given the amount the EV is driven on electric mode. To achieve a better fuel economy and financial savings, using the EV range on a regular basis will be imperative.
In terms of practicality and quality, the X1 plug-in hybrid does not disappoint. There is ample legroom and headroom for front and rear passengers. Despite the boot size reduced in size due to the placement of the EV battery, it still offers 450 L. The interior is completed to a high quality and is technology-filled, to include: driving assistant plus, BMW Head-Up Display, parking assistant, wireless charging, Apple Car Play and a lot more.
The PHEV tailpipe emissions are low (43g CO2/km), compared to the conventional ICE variant. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Versatile and a practical family SUV without compromising on quality and comfort | Small EV battery and limited electric range |
| Compact SUV for city use | More affordable than other BMW PHEVs |
| Cheap to run on electric mode | On-board charger limited to 3.7 kW |
Gallery
The BMW X1 Plug-In Hybrid SUV (credit: BMW)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Body Type: | SUV |
| Engine: | Petrol-Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (1 Option) |
|---|
| BMW X1: price not available |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 8.82 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3 hrs) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 43 – 41g (CO2/km) |
| Warranty: | 8 years or 160,000 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): | 1582 |
| Width (mm): | 1821 |
| Length (mm): | 4447 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2670 |
| Turning Circle (m): | N/A |
| Boot capacity (L): | 450 |
| BMW X1 xDrive25e | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 8.82 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 49 − 52 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (km/kWh): | 15 − 15.4 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 1.7 − 1.9 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 190 km/h (electric: 130 km/h) |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.9 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 70 |
| Max Power (hp): | 220 |
| Torque (Nm): | 220 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 1,820 |
| Colours: | 6 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Top 5 Jargons
There is no doubt, in that, for those new to electric driving, the terminology can be both daunting and confusing. We have chosen the top 5 jargons to help you get more familiar with electric vehicles (EVs)!
| Top 5 Jargons : Electric Vehicles (EVs) | |
|---|---|
| EV (Electric Vehicle) | An EV is any vehicle that uses ‘electricity’ or an ‘electric motor’ to power the vehicle. The electric motor derives its power from a rechargeable battery or batteries. In general, EVs are less dependent on petrol or diesel as fuel, and in the case of pure electric cars, not dependent at all, on petrol/diesel for propulsion. EVs encompass all types of electric vehicles, to include Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), Extended Range Electric Vehicles (E-REVs) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). |
| Regenerative Braking | Driving at all times requires braking. However, on more densely populated roads, the frequency and intensity of braking increases, reducing the efficiency of the vehicle. Regenerative braking is the process of capturing energy, otherwise wasted during braking. According to the rules of physics, energy cannot be destroyed, instead it simply transfers from one state to another. The same principle applies to braking. The kinetic energy that propels a car forward is usually displaced or wasted as heat. Regenerative braking captures this kinetic energy, that in turn recharges an onboard EV battery, increasing both efficiency and electric range. Electric cars like Toyota Prius PHEV, Jaguar I-PACE BEV and Tesla Model 3 BEV use regenerative braking to increase efficiency and electric range. |
| Torque | Torque (Nm) is the measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis. Torque is a key factor in determining acceleration of a vehicle and is defined as the engines rotational speed. Torque is most commonly defined as the force required to twist an object. For example, a wrench being used. The heavier a car, the more important is the role of torque i.e. the vehicle needs more rotational force to help it accelerate faster. |
| WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) | In a bid to continue to improve the quality of data released by automotive manufacturers (OEMs), on efficiency, range and CO2 emissions, Europe has introduced the WLTP testing procedure. WLTP is seen as a significant improvement over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) testing standard designed in the 1980s. In general, WLTP data is more realistic compared to NEDC! WLTP has been developed with the aim of becoming a global standard, so that cars can be easily compared between regions. However, real world driving data will still differ from WLTP data. As an example, the real world electric range of an electric car can be significantly lower than the stated WLTP range, depending on driving style, driving conditions, weather, onboard services used and more! |
| ULEVs (Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles) | An ultra low emission vehicle is any vehicle that emits less than 75g of CO2/km and is capable of operating with zero-tailpipe emissions for at least 10 miles. In general, ULEVs release emissions that are at least 50% lower than petrol and diesel cars, by using low carbon technologies. ULEVs include all types of electric vehicles: BEVs, PHEVs, E-REVs etc. and are a key solution in improving air quality. There are currently numerous ULEVs available, to include e-cars, e-vans, e-motorcycles, e-mopeds and e-taxis. Examples include: Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, MINI Countryman PHEV and Renault Kangoo ZE. |
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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