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 Land Rover Defender 110 PHEV SUV
Land Rover is an iconic British brand, famed globally for its off-road and four-wheel drive vehicles. Land Rover is owned by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Automotive PLC, a leading luxury vehicle manufacturer with a distinctive reputation of being British and iconic. However the automotive company is now owned by the leading Indian industrial conglomerate, the Tata Group.
The Land Rover Defender is an iconic British off-road vehicle. The 4×4 SUV has gained a global reputation for its off-road capability and high quality. The production of the iconic internal combustion engine (ICE) Defender stopped in January 2016. Nearly 2 million Defenders were sold globally, across seven decades. The all-new Land Rover Defender made its debut in 2019 and shares little with its predecessor, except a strong legacy and heritage.
The all-new Defender SUV is also available as a mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The Defender 110 PHEV is the first plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) for this range. Deliveries of this rugged and versatile off-road SUV commenced in early 2021.
The plug-in Defender does not come cheap, however, financial savings can be achieved by taking advantage of the hybrid electric drivetrain. The EV has a 19.2 kWh onboard EV battery, which is a decent size, compared to the average PHEV battery.
However, despite the larger EV battery, the available emission-free electric range is limited to 51 km (WLTP certified). This is not surprising, given the weight of the vehicle (2,600 kg), to include the additional weight of the EV battery.
Expect the real-world electric range to be closer to 40 km, given that the range is impacted by a number of factors. Some factors include: driving profile, speed, passenger load, weather, road condition, wheel size and more. Moreover, the more the PHEV is driven on the e-mode, the better the overall efficiency of the electric vehicle. Land Rover claims a fuel economy up to 3.9 l/100km. Like, EV range, expect the real-world fuel economy to be lower than the manufacturer claimed economy.
To leverage the benefits of electric driving, having a fully charged EV battery is imperative. The Defender PHEV can be charged up to 50 kW DC charging: 0%-80%: 30 minutes. Do keep in mind that not all plug-in electric cars are capable of DC fast charging. In all probability, on most occasions, the EV will be charged overnight at home. We at e-zoomed recommend the use of a dedicated EV charger for home charging and discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug.
The easee EV charger is a good example. The PHEV can be charged up to 100% in 2 hours and 30 minutes. We recommend a ‘topping up’ approach to EV charging. This way, the pure electric mode can be used more often and regular charging is also better for the long-term maintenance of the EV battery. Land Rover offers a warranty up to 6 years or 90,000 km.
In terms of performance, the Land Rover Defender P400e AWD PHEV does not disappoint. The EV pairs a 2.0-litre (4 cylinder) petrol combustion engine with an electric motor (105 kW). Despite the size and weight of the EV, acceleration is impressive: 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and a 191 km/h top speed (maximum power: 404 hp/ torque: 640 Nm). The drive is refined and in e-mode the ride quality is even better!
The Defender plug-in is certainly good looking and the interior is just as compelling, offering a high quality technology/ features-laden driving cockpit, to include: wireless charging, timed charging, keyless entry, Pivi Pro with connected navigation, 3D surround camera, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed limiter, wade sensing, dynamic stability control, roll stability control and more.
In terms of practicality, there is ample headroom and legroom for rear seat passengers and the boot space is 550L. The EV is only available as a five-door. The EV has tailpipe emissions up to 71g (CO2/km). Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Defender 110 plug-in hybrid SUV is not available in India.
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Good looks, practical and spacious | Expensive when all options are considered |
Excellent off-road capabilities | Not as fuel-efficient as other PHEVs. High tailpipe emissions |
DC fast charging capability | Limited electric range |
The Land Rover Defender 110 Plug-In Hybrid SUV (credit:JLR)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
Body Type: | SUV |
Engine: | Electric/ Petrol |
Available In India: | No |
Trims (1 Option) |
---|
Defender 110 Plug-In Hybrid (from ₹ N/A) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
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EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 19.2 kWh |
Charging: | 50 kW DC charging: 0%-80%: 30 minutes. Onboard charger: 7 kW AC (0%-100%: 2 hrs 30 mins) |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 71 – 57g (CO2/km) |
Battery Warranty: | 6 years or 90,000 km |
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 | |
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Height (mm): | 1967 |
Width (mm): | 2008 |
Length (mm): | 5018 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 3022 |
Turning Circle (m): | 12.8 |
Boot Space (L): | 550 |
P400e AWD Automatic PHEV | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 19.2 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 51 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | N/A |
Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 3.3 – 3.9 |
Charging: | 50 kW DC charging: 0%-80%: 30 minutes. Onboard charger: 7 kW AC (0%-100%: 2 hrs 30 mins) |
Top Speed: | 191 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 5.4 seconds |
Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 105 |
Max Power (HP): | 404 |
Torque (Nm): | 640 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 5 |
Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 2,613 |
Colours: | 10 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Types Of Electric Vehicles (EVs)
“Electric vehicle” is an umbrella term, and a broad one at that. There are a number of different types of electric vehicles (EVs), each with its distinct characteristics and advantages. These include:
- BEVs: Battery-electric vehicles (pure electric)
- PHEVs: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) combined)
- MHEVs: Mild hybrid electric vehicles (internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel) along with regenerative braking)
- FCEVs: Fuel cell electric vehicle (electric with hydrogen as fuel)
The above “types” are powered either entirely or partially by electric energy and have different environmental impacts.
Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), also known as pure electric vehicles, are powered entirely by electricity (i.e. the vehicle does not have a conventional internal combustion engine). BEVs have zero-tailpipe emissions and help improve local air quality.
BEVs are also very economical to drive. A BEV can cost as little as Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive. Examples of best-selling EVs include, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 and the all-electric Renault Zoe. A BEV is charged by plugging in the electric vehicle to a dedicated electric car charging station (home or public charging stations). BEVs are well suited for those living in towns, cities and urban centres. Of course, battery-electric vehicles are also suitable for those living in rural settings.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) differ from battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), in that, PHEVs use both a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric engine for propulsion. Plug-in hybrid vehicles combine the advantages of electric driving and internal combustion engine driving.
On shorter distances, the PHEV uses the electric mode to drive emission-free, using the on-board EV battery and regenerative braking. For longer distances, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles switches to using the internal combustion engine.
With a PHEV, the vehicle can cost as little Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive on e-mode, without any tailpipe pollution, and also be driven long-distances, without the fear of range anxiety! Most PHEVs have an EV battery of up to 15 kWh and can achieve a zero-emission electric range of up to 50 kilometres.
No wonder PHEVs are fast becoming popular globally, with much potential or India. Like a BEV, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is charged by using an external power source (EV charging point) for charging.
PHEVs are suitable for those that drive long-distances on a regular basis but want to lower the negative environmental impact from tailpipe pollution. PHEVs are also suitable for those individuals and families that are seeking to save money by taking advantage of electric driving. The Volvo XC40 PHEV and the Volkswagen Golf 8 are good examples of PHEVs.
Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs)
Mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) are a limited form of electric driving. These vehicles also use hybrid technologies (electric driving and internal combustion engine), but the EV battery is much smaller than a BEV or PHEV.
Moreover, in a mild hybrid, the EV battery cannot be charged via an external source (i.e. EV charging station). In a MHEV, the battery is charged by capturing the energy released during braking, a process known as regenerative braking. MHEVs have lower tailpipe emissions, and are more economical to own, run and maintain than petrol and diesel cars.
MHEVs are a better option than a petrol or diesel car, but not as good an option as a BEV or PHEV. Mild hybrids are well suited for those living in regions with limited charging infrastructure. Again, MHEVs have great potential in India, given the limited public EV charging infrastructure.
The Toyota Prius is a good example of a mild hybrid electric vehicle.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) also called hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, have a fuel cell stack that uses hydrogen to generate the electricity needed to power the electric vehicle. The fuel cell generates electricity and pure water vapour that can escape via the tailpipe. It is capable of generating electricity as long as there is a steady supply of hydrogen. Fuel cell electric vehicles can be refuelled with hydrogen at purpose built filling stations. Filling an FEC takes no more than five minutes.
FCEVs have a range of about 500 kilometers or more between refueling. Today, the only and major limitation is the very limited hydrogen refuelling station network globally. The Toyota Mirai FCEV is a good example of this type of EV.
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