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 All-Electric Tesla Model 3
Tesla Inc. (formerly Tesla Motors Inc.) was founded by American engineers, Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning in 2003. They named the Palo Alto based company, Tesla, as a tribute to the engineer Nikola Tesla. In fact, Elon Musk (Co-Founder, Tesla) become involved with the company post the founding of Tesla Motors. He was the lead investor in the 2004 Series A investment round.
In 2008, Tesla unveiled its first zero-emission electric vehicle (EV), the all-electric Roadster. As they say, the rest is history. Tesla, Inc is a publicly listed company and has a market value higher than any other automotive manufacturer. Elon Musk is also ranked as one of the richest individuals in the world. According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, he is ranked second with a net worth of US$187 billion.
Tesla has the following battery-electric vehicle (BEV) models either in production or in development. In 2020, the EV company surpassed a production volume of 1 million plug-in electric cars.
- The all-electric Tesla Model S
- The all-electric Tesla Model 3
- The all-electric Tesla Model X
- The all-electric Tesla Model Y
- The all-electric Tesla Roadster
- The all-electric Tesla Cybertruck
The all-electric Tesla Model 3 is a best-selling electric vehicle globally. Since its unveiling in 2016, the Tesla Model 3 has been making history. Within a week of opening the booking for the ‘affordable’ Tesla, orders had topped 325,000 units. Deliveries to US customers commenced in July 2017. In February 2019, the Model 3 become the best selling plug-in electric car in the US. For the European market, the Model 3 bookings opened in 2019.
The Tesla Model 3 electric car is available in three variants: the entry-level Tesla Model 3 with the standard battery, the Model 3 Long Range and the Model 3 Performance. The entry-level is a rear-wheel drive (RWD), while the other two are offered as dual motor all-wheel drive (AWD).
In terms of pure electric range, neither of the variants disappoint. The entry-level variant has a claimed zero-emission electric range up to 491 km (WLTP), while the Long Range has a range up to a whopping 602 km (WLTP). The top of the line, Model 3 Performance had an e-range up to 547 km (WLTP).
Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the range for the Model 3 is impressive and class-leading. For the entry level, expect a real-world range closer to 440 km. For the Long Range, a pure electric range up to 560 km is more realistic. For the Performance, expect an electric range closer to 500 km. For those new to electric driving, a number of factors impact the EV range. Some of these include: road conditions, speed, weather, payload, passenger load, tyre size, driving profile and more!
Tesla owners benefit from the Tesla Supercharger network. In fact, Tesla owns and operates the largest fast charging network globally (35,000+ globally) and the network continue to expand rapidly. Tesla claims that Superchargers can add up to 270 km of electric range in just 15 minutes. The Superchargers offers a maximum DC charging rate up to 250 kW. For single-phase (7.4 kW) EV charging at home, depending on the variant, the EV will take between 8 hours to 12 hours to fully charge.
We at e-zoomed encourage using a dedicated single-phase residential EV charger like myenergi zappi for charging at home. Though electric cars can be charged via a domestic 3-PIN plug, we at e-zoomed do not encourage using a domestic plug for charging an electric car.
In terms of performance, the entry-level rear-wheel drive Model 3 can achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds, with a top speed up to 225 km/h. The all-wheel drive Tesla Model 3 Long Range can achieve 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed up to 233 km/h. The top of the line, Tesla Model 3 Performance can achieve 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds, with a top speed up to 261 km/h. Of course, the Tesla electric car also benefits from instant torque.
The interior of the electric car is designed for minimalism and space. The EV includes a 15 inch touchscreen display and a number of advanced features, either available as standard or an additional option. Some of these include: all-glass roof, 360 degrees rear, side and forward-facing cameras, Tesla Vision (detects nearby cars, helps prevent potential collisions and assists with parking), Tesla Autopilot, summon, smart summon, auto park, auto lane change and more. The EV is practical and offers ample legroom and headroom for passengers. The boot size is 561 L.
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Good pure electric range | Expensive. Cheaper pure electric alternatives available |
Fast electric performance | Options are expensive |
Supercharger network | All-wheel drive not standard for all variants |
The All-Electric Tesla Model 3 (credit:Tesla)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
Vehicle Type: | Saloon |
Engine: | Electric |
Available In Ireland: | Yes |
Variants (3 Options) |
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Standard Range Plus (from € 52,990) |
Long Range (from € 62,990) |
Performance (from € 68,990) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
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EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in three battery sizes: 53 kWh/ 78 kWh/ 82 kWh |
Charging: | Up to 250 kW rapid charging standard. On-board charger 11 kW AC (3-Phase) |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
Warranty: | 8 years or 160,000 km |
Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
---|---|
Battery net capacity: 16.7 kWh | € 4.00 |
Battery net capacity: 30.0 kWh | € 7.19 |
Battery net capacity: 39.2 kWh | € 9.39 |
Battery net capacity: 45.0 kWh | € 10.78 |
Battery net capacity: 50.0 kWh | € 11.98 |
Battery net capacity: 64.0 kWh | € 15.34 |
Battery net capacity: 71.0 kWh | € 17.01 |
Battery net capacity: 77.0 kWh | € 18.45 |
Battery net capacity: 90.0 kWh | € 21.57 |
Battery net capacity: 100.0 kWh | € 23.97 |
- 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) | |
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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) |
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+): | 0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW): | 0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
Dimensions | |
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Height (mm): | 1443 |
Width (mm): | 1849 |
Length (mm): | 4694 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2875 |
Turning Circle (m): | N/A |
Cargo Volume (L): | 425 |
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 53 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 491 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | 154 |
Charging: | 170 kW Rapid Charging (on-board charger: 11 kW AC) |
Top Speed: | 225 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 6.1 seconds |
Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 239 |
Max Power (PS): | 325 |
Torque (Nm): | 420 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 4 |
Weight (kg): | 1,752 |
Colours: | 5 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Tesla Model 3 Long Range | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 78 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 602 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | 152 |
Charging: | 190 kW Rapid Charging (on-board charger: 11 kW AC) |
Top Speed: | 233 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 4.4 seconds |
Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 324 |
Max Power (PS): | 441 |
Torque (Nm): | 493 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 4 |
Weight (kg): | 1,830 |
Colours: | 5 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Tesla Model 3 Performance | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 82 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 547 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | 165 |
Charging: | 250 kW Rapid Charging (on-board charger: 11 kW AC) |
Top Speed: | 261 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 3.3 seconds |
Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 377 |
Max Power (PS): | 513 |
Torque (Nm): | 660 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 4 |
Weight (kg): | 1,836 |
Colours: | 5 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Ireland: EV Market Overview
As is the case in a number of global markets, to include the European Union and the United Kingdom, the sale of electric cars in Ireland is also fast gaining momentum. In fact, in January 2022, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), accounted for 21% of all new cars licensed in Ireland. Put another way, more than a fifth of the cars bought in Ireland were either pure electric or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
It is also worth nothing the continued decline in the sale of diesel vehicles in Ireland, as families and businesses migrate to lower tailpipe emission electric vehicles (EVs). Diesel market share has declined from 34.2% in early 2021 to 19.7% in early 2022. We can expect this trend to continue for the forseeable future.
The government has set a target of 936,000 electric vehicles by 2030, with 845,000 to be private passenger cars. This will be approximately a third of the vehicles on roads in Ireland (currently there are 2.8 million vehicles on the road). Like many other governments, Ireland is committed to ending the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars by 2030.
The government is committed to the rapid adoption of electric cars in the country. The Department of Transport has committed €100 million for EV subsidies in 2022 (almost double the commitment in 2021). The grant for private electric vehicles is up to €5,000 on qualifying battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), do not qualify for the electric vehicle grant.
Ireland: Top Electric Cars
Top Electric Cars | Type Of EV |
---|---|
Tesla Model 3 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Volkswagen ID.3 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Nissan Leaf | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Renault Zoe | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Volkswagen ID.4 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Hyundai IONIQ 5 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Kia e-Niro | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Kia EV6 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
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