Electric Cars: The Basics
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The Kia Ceed Sportswagon PHEV
Kia Corporation, the South Korean automotive manufacturer is fast developing a portfolio of lower emission ‘eco’ vehicles, to include zero-emission battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and mild hybrids.
The Korean automotive company is headquartered in Seoul, and it is South Korea’s second largest automotive manufacturer after the Hyundai Motor Company. Hyundai owns a 33.88% stake in Kia. The Kia Corporation has been active in the European markets since 1991. The BEVs and PHEVs range includes:
- The all-electric Kia Niro
- The all-electric Kia EV6
- The all-electric Kia EV6 GT
- The all-electric Kia EV9
- The all-electric Kia Soul EV
- Niro Plug-In Hybrid
- XCeed Plug-In Hybrid
- Ceed Sportswagon Plug-In Hybrid
- Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
- Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
The Kia estate (Sportswagon) is available as both, a convention internal combustion engine (ICE) and as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The model is currently in its third generation. The hybrid variant concept was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Auto Show.
Though automotive manufacturers like Kia, have been busy upgrading their model portfolios, to include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), in general, the number of available estate plug-in electric cars, still remains limited. Therefore, the Kia plug-in electric estate car is certainly worth the consideration for families and companies seeking a spacious, environmentally-friendly vehicle with a more affordable price tag.
The Kia PHEV pairs a 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine with an electric motor (44.5 kW), powered by an onboard EV battery. The automotive manufacturer claims a fuel economy up to 1.7 l/100 km for the electric vehicle (EV). Of course, the real-world fuel economy will depend on a number of factors, but none as influential as using the e-mode.
Bottom-line, to increase the fuel economy of the electric vehicle and lower the driving costs, the PHEV should be driven as much as possible on the pure electric mode. It is also far cheaper to drive on electric mode, compared to using the combustion engine. Driving on e-mode will usually cost between 5 and 10 cents per km.
Given the WLTP certified emission-free electric range is 42 km, and most commutes are short, there is much scope for taking advantage of electric driving to save money. The PHEV has a 8.9 kWh onboard EV battery, which is reasonably standard for a PHEV of this size. However, expect the real-world electric range to be closer to 37 km. The EV range is impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, load, regenerative braking, road condition, weather and a lot more.
Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which again is as easy as charging a smartphone. We at e-zoomed recommend the use of a dedicated EV charging station, like easee to charge the EV. We do not encourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug.
Charging the EV using a single-phase EV charger will take up to 2 hours 15 minutes (0% → 100%). Of course, if you top up on a regular basis, the charging time will be faster. The EV incorporates a 3.3 kW AC onboard charger and is not capable of DC charging.
In terms of practicality, the EV has much to offer. For adults, the rear seats have ample headroom and legroom. Despite the placement of the onboard EV battery, the cargo volume available is 437 L.
The Kia electric car has a decent level of standard specifications and safety features, to include: 10.25″ touchscreen satellite navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, reversing camera system, driver attention warning, hill-start assist control, intelligent stop & go, lane keep assist, blind-spot collision warning, forward collision-avoidance assist and more. Interior quality is decent and reflects the price tag of the EV.
The performance of the electric estate will not exhilarate, but it does the job! The front-wheel drive Kia Ceed Plug-In Hybrid can achieve 0-100 km/h in 11 seconds. The hybrid drivetrain delivers a maximum power of 139 bhp (torque 265 Nm), sufficient for city and motorway driving. The top speed is 188 km/h. Do keep in mind that the additional weight of the onboard EV battery (117 kg) does impact the overall performance of the electric vehicle.
The Kia Ceed plug-in hybrid tailpipe emissions are low (33g CO2/km), compared to the conventional petrol variant (168g CO2/km). Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Affordable prices. A practical family estate car | Small EV battery/ limited range |
| Cheap to run on electric mode | Not the most inspiring drive |
| Good standard specifications | On board charger limited to 3.3 kW. DC charging not available |
Gallery
The Kia Ceed Sportswagon PHEV (credit: KIA)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Vehicle Type: | Estate |
| Engine: | Petrol-Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (1 Option) |
|---|
| Kia Ceed 1.6 GDi PHEV (from € 34,310) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 8.9 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On board charger: 3.3 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs 15 mins) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 33g (CO2/km) |
| Warranty: | 7 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): | 1465 |
| Width (mm): | 1800 |
| Length (mm): | 4605 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2650 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 10.6 |
| Boot Space (L): | 437 |
| 1.6 GDi PHEV | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 8.9 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 42 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | 132 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100 km): | 1.7 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On board charger: 3.3 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs 15 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 188 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 11 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 44.5 |
| Max Power (bhp): | 139 (combined) |
| Torque (Nm): | 265 (combined) |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,614 |
| Colours: | 8 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Four-Star |
The Pros For Electric Cars
| Pros: Electric Vehicles (EVs) | |
| Lower air pollution: | One can never overestimate the negative impact of air pollution on the health of individuals, in particular, the vulnerable i.e. the children and the elderly. In Ireland, we have witnessed a significant increase in air pollution over the past decade, and yes, petrol and diesel tailpipe emissions have contributed to the worsening air quality across all our villages, towns and cities. Road transportation, though not the only source of pollutants, is a leading source, contributing up to 30%. Electric vehicles help reduce tailpipe emissions i.e. leading to improved air quality. Pure electric cars have no tailpipe, hence the expression ‘zero-tailpipe emissions’ or ‘zero-emissions’. PHEVs do have tailpipe emissions, given the hybrid nature of the vehicle (ICE and electric), but have far lower emissions than a conventional petrol or diesel car. Moreover, when a PHEV is driven on electric mode, the tailpipe emissions are zero! So bottom-line, both BEVs and PHEVs help improve air quality! |
| Lower running costs: | It is a misconception that electric cars are more expensive than petrol and diesel cars. In fact, when electric cars costs are assessed on a life cycle basis, it is clear that EVs are cheaper to drive per km than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. For a start, charging an EV battery can cost as little as 5 €, and in most cases less than 10 €. However, refuelling a tank of fuel can cost up to 120 € (if not more!). An EV costs between 5 and 10 cents per km to drive, significantly lower compared to the cost of driving a petrol or diesel car. |
| Lower maintenance costs: | This is applicable only for BEVs. Pure electric cars have far fewer moving parts compared to an internal combustion engine (ICE) and therefore there is less that can go wrong i.e. lower maintenance costs. |
| Lower risk of breakdown: | Given the fewer moving parts in an electric car, it is not surprising that EVs have a lower probability for a breakdown compared to petrol or diesel vehicles. Most EV drivers have become astute at ‘topping up’ the EV battery on a regular basis to avoid the risk of being stranded due to an empty EV battery, one of the reasons for seeking breakdown assistance. |
| Convenience of charging at home: | Convenience: an EV can be charged at the convenience of your own home or office (no need to visit a petrol station!). In fact, most EVs are charged overnight at home, when the energy prices are the cheapest! |
| Lower energy price volatility: | EV charging costs have a lower price volatility and lower risk of price inflation, compared to petrol prices (petrol prices continue to negatively impact household finances as fuel prices increase). |
| Solar panels can significantly reduce charging costs: | Residential solar panels can be used to lower the cost of charging. Using residential PV solar, the cost of generating and consuming electricity is nominal, if not free (apart from the upfront costs). Both residential and commercial solar installations (for business premises) are ways to hedge against energy price inflation and achieve ‘well-to-wheel’ zero-tailpipe emissions. |
| Lower noise pollution: | In general, electric cars are silent with an in-built artificial noise generator primarily for pedestrian safety. The lower noise from EVs help improve the quality of our living environment, in particular, those living close to busy roads and thoroughfares. |
| Instant torque: | Yes, electric vehicles (EVs) have better torque performance than internal combustion engines, hence the ‘torqueof the town’! If in doubt, look at a traffic light that has both these types of cars. As the signal changes to green, the electric car will quickly leave behind the diesel and petrol cars. The primary reason for the superior acceleration in electric cars, is that, electric vehicles deliver ‘peak or maximum torque’ instantaneously, producing immediate acceleration. However, petrol and diesel cars take time to reach maximum or peak torque. In particular, diesel cars are known for being sluggish. Bottom-line, the better torque performance of electric cars, further contributes to the ‘fun factor’ in driving EVs compared to conventional cars. |
| Better for the environment: | Yes, apart from air pollution, in general, electric vehicles are better for the environment, given the lack of dependence on polluting fossil fuels. |
The Cons For Electric Cars
| Cons: Electric Vehicles (EVs) | |
| Retail prices expensive: | It is true, in that, EVs are still expensive in regards to the retail price, compared to an equivalent petrol/ diesel car. However, the past few years has witnessed a reduction in the prices for EVs, along with the emergence of many affordable EV models. Moreover, aspiring owners of EVs have been able to take advantage of public grants. In our view, as the EV sector continues to mature with increased manufacturing volumes, consumer will gain from the inevitable price reduction as a result of the increased economies of scale. Moreover, the best way to acquire a car, is usually through a competitive financing plan like a lease, contract hire etc, making the acquisition of an EV affordable for many. |
| Limited DC charging infrastructure: | Though 80% of EV charging is done overnight at home, public EV charging infrastructure remains a focal point for debates and aspiring/ current owners of EVs. In Ireland the public EV charging network is growing (2,000 charging points, mostly in urban areas). However, we agree that rapid DC charging infrastructure still needs to be deployed more widespread, helping EV drivers achieve a 0% – 80% EV battery charge in under 30 minutes. |
| Limited choice of EVs: | There is no doubt that there has been a significant increase in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) that have been introduced over the past three years. However, the number of available pure electric cars are still limited in comparison to petrol and diesel vehicles. As global automotive manufacturers ramp-up the development and production of EVs, we expect the ‘consumer choice’ to widen significantly. |
| Limited availability of used EVs: | Given the relatively nascent nature of the EV sector, it is not surprising that the used electric car market is still very small. We do expect the used EV marketplace to improve significantly in the coming years, giving aspiring EV owners a vast choice at competitive prices. |
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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