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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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 Mazda CX-80 PHEV SUV
The Mazda Motor Corporation, more commonly known simply as Mazda, is a leading Japanese automotive manufacturer, with business activities across a number of key international markets. Mazda was founded in 1920, initially as a cork-making factory (Toyo Cork Kogyo Co, Ltd.). The company started manufacturing vehicles in 1931. The ‘Mazda-go’, a tricycle truck, was the first vehicle to be manufactured by the company. Mazda derives its name from ‘Ahura Mazda’, the God of harmony, intelligence and wisdom.
Mazda has conducted research on alternative fuel vehicles for many decades. The company has had a particular focus on hydrogen-powered vehicles. The Mazda electric vehicle (EV) portfolio includes both, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models:
- All-electric Mazda MX-30
- Mazda CX-60 plug-in hybrid
- Mazda CX-80 plug-in hybrid
- Mazda MX-30 R-EV plug-in hybrid
For those keen to migrate to electric vehicles (EVs), but undecided between an all-electric car (pure electric car) or a plug-in hybrid electric car, we at e-zoomed encourage opting for an all-electric car. The availability of pure electric cars across all segments and budgets is excellent, offering style, technology, versatility, practicality, fun and more than adequate real-world zero-tailpipe emission electric range. Though there are many reasons to chose a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) over a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the two key reasons are: lower life-cycle costs and lower life-cycle environmental impact (emissions).
Contrary to what is usually suggested, BEVs, also known as all-electric cars/ pure electric cars, are cheaper to own, operate, charge (refill) and maintain over the life of the electric vehicle, compared to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol and diesel cars. In stark contrast, conventional petrol and diesel vehicles have the highest cost of ownership of a vehicle.
Moreover, on a life-cycle emission basis, BEVs have far lower emissions compared to PHEVs or conventional petrol and diesel vehicles. BEVs life-cycle emissions are potentially 50% lower compared to conventional petrol or diesel vehicles! And do keep in mind a BEV does not have a tailpipe i.e. zero-tailpipe emissions (improving local air quality). So owning a BEV is both, good for the environment and the household/ business wallet!
Of course, for those still keen on a plug-in electric car, the choice and availability has also increased significantly over the recent years, with PHEVs capable of delivering practical real-world zero-tailpipe emission electric range. The earlier generation of PHEVs had a small (less than 10 kWh) onboard EV battery, with a real-world range less than 30 km. Though the claimed WLTP electric range (60 km) for the Mazda CX-80 PHEV is an improvement from the earlier PHEVs, it is a marginal improvement.
The plug-in hybrid CX-80 has a 17.8 kWh (355V) onboard lithium-ion EV battery. The Mazda sibling, the CX-60 PHEV also has a 17.8 kWh battery. In fact, there is much more in common in the underpinnings between the Mazda CX-80 and Mazda CX-60, to include the powertrains.
Adjusting for real-world driving conditions, expect an electric range up to 50 km on a full charge for the CX-80 PHEV. Adequate, but certainly not inspiring. The manufacturer should have considered a slightly larger onboard EV battery to achieve a longer e-range. For those new to electric cars, a number of factors can impact the manufacturers published WLTP e-range. Some of these include: driving profile, road conditions, weather, temperature, payload, passengers etc. As an example, the heavier the vehicle, the shorter the electric range. A practical tip is to make certain the boot is clear of items that do not need to be carried!
The Mazda CX-80 PHEV does not offer DC charging capability, but this is the case with the majority of plug-in hybrids, given the small size of the EV battery. The EV incorporates a single-phase onboard AC charger. The EV can be charged from 0%-100% in 2 hours and 20 minutes via a dedicated smart residential EV charger. We encourage the use of a solar compatible smart EV charger, like myenergi zappi, along with an on-site PV system and energy storage system.
At e-zoomed we offer very attractive home solar & home battery storage bundle offers of varying sizes and budgets. Of course, solar and battery storage can also power your home and further reduce the household energy bills and emissions footprint! Enquire today for a hassle-free quotation!
The Mazda CX-80 was revealed in April 2024. The EV interior cabin is based on the Japanese philosophy ‘Ma’, to create a sense of a calm and peaceful journey! In terms of size, the mid-sized CX-80 PHEV is larger than the five-seater CX-60 PHEV. The CX-80 is 4.9m long and 1.7m tall. In comparison, the CX-60 is 4.7m long and 1.6m tall. A better comparison is with the all-electric best-selling seven-seater Kia EV9. The EV9 is 5m in length and 1.7m in height! Despite the three-rows, the CX-80 PHEV offers decent legroom and headroom, to include, the 3rd row!
The CX-80 PHEV is available in both, a 6-seat and 7-seat configuration (the third-row has a maximum of 2 seats). The PHEV has up to 687 L in boot space. If the second and third row seats are folded, then the maximum available cargo space increases to 1,971 L. The interior is appointed to a reasonable quality. The exterior styling of the CX-80 is also similar to the CX-60. Mazda has used its award winning Kodo – Soul of Motion design language for the PHEV. We believe it works well!
The EV offers the following safety features as standard on all variants: blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert and vehicle exit warning, driver monitoring, road keep assist, blind spot assist, oncoming vehicle collision avoidance assist, front cross traffic alert, hill descent control, lane-keep assist system with lane departure warning system and traffic sign recognition. Also as standard are: 12.3” colour centre display and wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. The panoramic sunroof only comes as standard on the more expensive trims! The PHEV is yet to receive the Euro NCAP Rating.
The all-wheel drive (AWD) 2.5 e-SKYACTIV CX-80 PHEV incorporates a four-cylinder 2.5-litre engine. The EV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds (maximum power: 327 ps/ torque: 500 Nm). The top speed of the PHEV is 195 km/h. The EV incorporates the Mazda Mi-DRIVE (Intelligent Drive Select System). Some of these modes include: Sport, Off-Road, Towing and EV mode. We encourage using the EV mode as often as possible! The manufacturer claims a 1.61 L/100 km fuel economy.
In the real-world to get anywhere close to the claimed mpg, the PHEV will need to be driven as much as possible on electric mode. Do keep in mind that if the PHEV is driven primarily using the onboard internal combustion engine (ICE) then the real-world fuel economy will be similar to the conventional petrol variant. So best to keep the onboard battery charged on a regular basis, so that the full benefits of a PHEV can be leveraged.
The Mazda CX-80 plug-in electric SUV has tailpipe emission up to 36g CO2/km. Not class-leading but certainly lower than the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| An affordable PHEV | Limited real-world electric range compared to some competitors |
| All-wheel drive (AWD) as standard | Tailpipe emissions not as low as other class-leading PHEVs |
| Up to 7 seats (three-rows) | Top trims expensive |
Gallery
The Mazda CX-80 Plug-In Hybrid SUV (credit: Mazda)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Body Type: | SUV |
| Engine: | Petrol/ Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (5 Options) |
|---|
| Mazda CX-80 PHEV Exclusive-Line (from € 61,380) |
| Mazda CX-80 PHEV Homura (from € 65,080) |
| Mazda CX-80 PHEV Homura Plus (from € 68,280) |
| Mazda CX-80 PHEV Takumi (from € 66,230) |
| Mazda CX-80 PHEV Takumi Plus (from € 69,430) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 17.8 kWh (177.5 kg) |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard AC charger: 7.2 kW AC (0%-100%: 2 hrs 20 mins) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 35 – 36g (CO2/km) |
| EV Battery 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): | 1710 |
| Width (mm): | 1890 |
| Length (mm): | 4995 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 3120 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 12.4 |
| Boot Space (L): | 258 – 687 |
| Frunk (L): | N/A |
| 2.5 e-SKYACTIV PHEV | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 17.8 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 60 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (km/kWh): | N/A |
| Fuel Consumption (L/100 km): | 1.61 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard AC charger: 7.2 kW AC (0%-100%: 2 hrs 20 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 195 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.8 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 241 |
| Horsepower (ps): | 327 |
| Torque (Nm): | 500 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | Up to 7 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 2,165 / 2,216 |
| Towing Capacity (Braked/Unbraked)/ (kg): | 2,500 |
| Colours: | 9 |
| Euro NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
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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