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 VW ID.5 Coupé-SUV
Volkswagen AG, the Germany automotive group is one of the leading automotive companies in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry. Volkswagen has committed to an investment up to Euro 30 billion by 2023. It aims to sell 3 million electric vehicles by 2025 and launch up to 70 new EV models over the next 10 years.
With the launch of its electric vehicle ID. Family, VW is fast cementing a dominant position to become the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer by 2028, with the automotive behemoth planning to manufacturer 22 million electric vehicles. The automotive company currently has a number of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on sale, to include:
- The all-electric VW ID.3
- The all-electric VW ID.4
- The all-electric VW ID.4 GTX
- The all-electric VW ID.5
- The all-electric VW ID.7
- The all-electric VW ID.Buzz
- The all-electric VW e-up!
- VW Touareg Plug-In Hybrid
- VW Passat GTE Plug-In Hybrid
- VW Passat GTE Plug-In Hybrid Estate
- VW Golf 8 Plug-In Hybrid
- VW Tiguan eHybrid
The Volkswagen ID.5 is the latest pure electric vehicle from the German automotive manufacturer. The ID.5 combines the design strengths of an SUV along with that of a coupé (aerodynamic). The ID.5 has a 0.26 drag coefficient compared to 0.28 for the ID.4. The VW ID.5 EV shares the same MEB platform as the Volkswagen ID.4 and therefore has much in common, albeit, the ID.5 has a more aggressive roofline styling in the form of a coupé. The sloping roofline adds to appeal of the EV.
The pure electric coupé-SUV is available in three variants to include the entry level Pro model, followed by the mid-level Pro Performance and the higher specification GTX variant. The Pro and Pro Performance are available as rear-wheel drive, while the GTX is an all-wheel drive.
The e-SUV is available in one EV battery size (77 kWh). The manufacturer claims a zero-emission electric range up to 513 km (WLTP). Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the EV delivers a useful and practical electric range, for most day-to-day needs and for longer distance motorway driving.
For those new to electric driving, a number of factors impact the claimed range. These include: driving profile, weather conditions, road surface, wheel size, onboard services used, passenger load and more. The electric car also incorporates regenerative braking to increase the efficiency and electric range. A pure electric range closer to 480 km is more realistic.
The VW EV offers DC charging up to 135 kW. The EV can be charged up to 80% in 33 minutes (99 km in 7 minutes). The EV does incorporate a three-phase 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard. Given that most homes in Ireland are powered by single-phase power supply, most of us will not be able to take advantage of the three-phase onboard charger. Single-phase EV charging (7.4 kW) will take just over 12 hours for a full charge.
Though the EV 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. We at e-zoomed recommend charging overnight when the electricity prices are lower. We also recommend charging on a regular basis. This way charging times are reduced and regular charging is good for the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. The manufacturer offers a 8 years/ 160,000 km warranty.
In terms of performance, the rear-wheel drive VW ID.5 electric SUV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 10.4 seconds (maximum power: 204 PS). The top speed for the EV is 160 km/h. Of course, the electric car also benefits from instant torque.
The EV is well equipped with technology, to include, over-the-air update capability, innovative IQ. Light as standard, interior ambient lighting, augmented reality head-up display, voice assistant, travel assist and the Discover Pro navigation system. The ID.5 is also practical and has a larger boot space than the ID.4 (549 L compared to 543 L). However, the sloping roofline does impact the headroom available for rear seat passengers and the rear-view visibility for the driver.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Good zero-emission range | Only available in one battery size option |
Attractive exterior styling (coupé) | Rear view slightly limited and less headroom for rear seats compared to ID.4 |
DC charging up to 135 kW as standard | Cheaper alternatives available |
The All-Electric Volkswagen ID.5 SUV (credit: VW)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
Body Type: | SUV (Coupé) |
Engine: | Electric |
Available In Ireland: | Yes |
Variants (3 Options) |
---|
Volkswagen ID.5 Pro (from € 54,995) |
Volkswagen ID.5 Pro Performance (from € 61,915) |
Volkswagen ID.5 GTX (from € 66,265) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
---|---|
EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 77 kWh |
Charging: | 135 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 33 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
Battery 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) | |
---|---|
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 | |
---|---|
Height (mm): | 1615 |
Width (mm): | 1852 |
Length (mm): | 4599 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2771 |
Turning Circle (m): | 11.5 |
Boot Space (L): | 549 |
ID.5 Pro | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 77 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 493 – 513 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 17.1 – 17.8 |
Charging: | 135 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 33 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC |
Top Speed: | 160 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 10.4 seconds |
Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
Max Power (PS): | 174 |
Torque (Nm): | 235 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 5 |
Weight (kg): | 2,117 |
Colours: | 6 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
Top Reasons To Buy An Electric Vehicle (EV)
Never have the reasons to buy an electric car been more compelling, than 2022. The past decade has witnessed a significant maturity of all types of electric vehicles (EVs), to include, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). A BEV, also known as a pure electric car, is propelled using energy stored in an EV battery via an electric motor. While a PHEV uses ‘hybrid technology’, to include, an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor, to propel the vehicle.
One of the primary differences between a BEV and a PHEV, is that, a pure electric car, like the best-selling Tesla Model 3, has a much longer zero-tailpipe emission electric range, compared to a plug-in hybrid electric car, like the Toyota Prius PHEV. The reason is simple: a BEV has a much larger onboard EV battery. In general, the latest BEVs have a zero-emission range between 150 to 400 kms, while PHEVs average closer to 50 kms. Given the significant increase in electric range, improvement in EV charging infrastructure and attractive government grants, BEVs are fast becoming the preferred type of electric vehicle to own!
Lower tailpipe emissions and lower air pollution i.e. improves air quality in the immediate area. |
Significantly cheaper to recharge a full EV battery, compared to filling a full tank of petrol/ diesel. An EV battery can be charged for as little as €10, while filling a tank of fuel is over €100! |
Cheaper to drive per km, compared to an internal combustion engine petrol/ diesel car. An EV costs less than 5 cents per km to drive. |
Lower maintenance costs, compared to an internal combustion engine petrol/ diesel car. Pure electric cars have fewer moving parts, so less can go wrong! |
Lower noise pollution, compared to an internal combustion engine petrol/ diesel car. Noise pollution is as detrimental on health, as air pollution! |
A vast range of fantastic EV available on sale, for all budgets and aspirations. EVs have come a long way since the introduction of the first generation all-electric Nissan Leaf in 2010. |
Attractive government subsidies to support the uptake of electric cars. Take advantage while still available. |
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