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 BMW X3 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 X3 compact luxury SUV has been on sale since 2003. It is currently in its third generation. The SUV is manufactured in South Africa. The BMW X3 is available a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
For those private and company-car drivers, keen to take a step towards lower-tailpipe emission electric driving, but still keen on an internal combustion engine (ICE), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a natural next step. Global automotive manufacturers, like BMW, recognise the important role played by PHEVs for the immediate transition to zero-emission electric driving, and have been hard at work in offering their conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol and diesel range, with plug-in hybrid variants.
The BMW X3 PHEV has much to offer an aspiring electric car driver. First, it is practical: large enough to feel spacious, yet small enough to drive and park in congested town and city centres, with ease. Given the exterior styling of a more traditional SUV roofline, the EV offers ample headroom and legroom for adults seated in the rear. The front seats also offer generous space.
Despite, the addition of an onboard EV battery, the EV boot space is still useful (450 L). The interior is completed to a high quality, as would be expected from a premium-badged BMW SUV. The EV is well specified in terms of technology, to include: driving assistant, steering and lane control assistant, active slide collision protection, BMW intelligent personal assistant, BMW Digital Key and a lot more.
The X3 plug-in SUV has an average size onboard EV battery (11.15 kWh). The claimed emission-free electric range up to 54 km (WLTP certified) is also very similar to other plug-in electric cars available today. Real-world range will be closer to 45 km, impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, road conditions, passenger load, regenerative braking, speed, wheel size, weather conditions, etc. For shorter distances, in particular, in towns and cities, a pure electric range over 45 km is more than sufficient.
We recommend charging the EV overnight at the convenience of your home, when the electricity tariff rates are lower. It is worth noting that the onboard charger for the X3 PHEV is limited to 3.7 kW. Given the upmarket badge, a 7.4 kW onboard charger should have been incorporated as standard.
Charging the EV from 0% to 100% SoC (state-of-charge) using a dedicated EV charger like Easee will take up to 3.7 hours. We encourage EV charging via a dedicated residential EV charger, and discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug. An EV charging station is safer and achieves a faster charging speed. The EV does not offer DC charging. BMW offers a 8 years or 150,000 km warranty.
The X3 EV delivers a decent driving performance. The X3 plug-in hybrid incorporates a number of driving modes, to include: hybrid, hybrid eco pro, electric or sport/XTRA boost. The all-wheel drive X3 plug-in hybrid has a 2.0-litre (four-cylinder) petrol engine paired with an electric motor (80 kW). The top speed on electric mode is 130 km/h, which is more than sufficient for driving around in congested urban centres. When the EV is being propelled by the internal combustion engine (ICE) the top speed is 210 km/h. The electric SUV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds (maximum power: 292 hp).
By leveraging the hybrid technology i.e. an internal combustion engine (ICE) paired with an electric motor, this family hybrid SUV achieves, both, lower tailpipe emissions and financial savings. The X3 plug-in hybrid has claimed tailpipe emissions up to 49 g (CO2/km), much lower than the conventional petrol engine X3 SUV (177 CO2/km).
The claimed fuel economy is 2.4 l/100 km, but this will depend on a number of factors to include, the amount the EV is driven on the pure electric mode. The longer the duration driven on emission-free electric mode, the better the fuel economy. So best to take full advantage of the electric motor and EV battery!
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good looking exterior styling high quality interiors | Small EV battery and limited electric range |
| A comfortable ride and performance | Cheaper alternatives available in the market |
| Cheap to drive on pure e-mode | On-board charger limited to 3.7 kW. DC charging not available |
Gallery
The BMW X3 Plug-In Hybrid (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 X3 (from € 68,184) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 11.15 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100% in 3.7 hrs) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 45 − 49 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): | 1676 |
| Width (mm): | 1891 |
| Length (mm): | 4708 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2864 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 12.6 |
| Boot capacity (L): | 450 |
| BMW X3 xDrive30e xLine | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 11.15 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 54 − 46 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (km/kWh): | 20 − 19.1 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 2.4 − 2.1 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100% in 3.7 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 210 km/h (electric: 130 km/h) |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.1 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 80 |
| Max Power (hp): | 292 |
| Torque (Nm): | 300 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 2,065 |
| Colours: | 6 |
| 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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