BMW 530e Plug-In Hybrid Saloon: The Complete Guide For India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

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The BMW 530e Saloon PHEV

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BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), is a leading global automotive manufacturer headquartered in Munich, Germany. BMW is well known for its portfolio of luxury vehicles, to include the famed Rolls-Royce luxury cars. The group manufacturers a number of cars under its BMW brand, to include battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The company currently has the following portfolio of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):

• BMW 225xe Active Tourer PHEV
• BMW 330e Saloon PHEV
• BMW 330e Touring PHEV
• BMW 530e Saloon PHEV
• BMW 530e Touring PHEV
• BMW 745e PHEV
• BMW X1 xDrive25e PHEV
• BMW X2 xDrive25e PHEV
• BMW X3 xDrive30e PHEV
• BMW X5 xDrive45e PHEV

The BMW 5 Series is currently on its seventh generation, to include the BMW 530e plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV). The BMW 5 Series has been manufactured since 1972. The BMW PHEV is available both as a rear-wheel drive (RWD) and an all-wheel drive (AWD).

The conventional BMW 5 Series has been a best-seller with those company-car executives, keen on refinement and a premium-badge. However, with the addition of the plug-in hybrid variant, the BMW 5 Series has become even more attractive to company-car executives seeking financial savings, in particular, given the lower cost of electric driving and improved environment credentials.

The BMW 530e Saloon plug-in hybrid has tailpipe emissions up to 50g (CO2/km), which is considerably lower compared to the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) 5 Series (157g CO2/km). Of course, lower tailpipe emissions helps reduce local air pollution.

But the BMW 5 Series PHEV is not just for company-car drivers. Private owners seeking a larger and more luxurious saloon will also find the 530e plug-in electric car compelling. For a start, the electric vehicle (EV) offers a decent zero-tailpipe emission electric range via a 11.15 kWh onboard EV battery.

The automotive manufacturer claims a pure electric range up to 37 miles (WLTP). Of course, do keep in mind that the real-world EV range will be lower than the WLTP range, and assuming a 32 mile electric range is more realistic. However, 32 miles is ample e-range to take advantage of the lower cost of driving an electric car for shorter distances.

Depending on the 5 Series PHEV variant driven, the claimed fuel economy is up to 201.8 mpg. As is the case with electric range, the real-world fuel economy will depend on a number of factors to include, the usage level of the electric mode in the PHEV. Bottom-line, the higher the utilisation of the emission-free electric range, higher the fuel economy, lower the cost of motoring.

Also, the best way to enjoy the smoother and silent electric mode, is to make sure that the EV battery is ‘topped up’ on a regular basis. This also helps with the long-term health and maintenance of the EV battery. The EV has a 3.7 kW AC onboard charger, which is disappointing, given the price tag. A 7.4 kW onboard charger should have been incorporated as standard. Nevertheless, do take advantage of the faster and safer charging using a dedicated EV charger like Wallbox.

The BMW electric car can be fully charged in 2.5 hours. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for EV charging. Using a domestic plug will take up to 4 hours to charge the EV. The PHEV does not offer fast DC charging compatibility.

The performance of the BMW 5 Series demonstrates its capability as a good all-rounder. The 5 Series hybrid pairs the BMW 80 kW eDrive (electric drive technology) with a 2.0-litre (four-cylinder) petrol engine. Top speed of the car on electric mode is 86 mph, sufficient for both urban and rural driving. For motorway driving, the EV can take advantage of the petrol engine propulsion (top speed: 155 mph). The EV is quick, despite the extra weight of the onboard EV battery, and can achieve 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds (maximum power: 394 HP). The EV also benefits from instant torque.

The BMW 530e saloon plug-in electric car does not disappoint in terms of quality and luxury. In terms of practicality, without an iota of doubt, the EV offers much interior space and superior comfort in the cabin. The only significant change in the PHEV compared to the ICE variant, is the reduced boot space due to the placement of the onboard EV battery.

Even then, the electric car offers up to 410 L, which should be sufficient for most needs. The EV is technology-laden, to include a host of safety features: driving assistant professional, reversing assistant, BMW Laserlight, BMW digital key, BMW live cockpit professional and more.

Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The BMW electric car is not available in India.

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PROS	CONS
Good exterior design, styling and high quality interior	Small EV battery, onboard charger limited to 3.7 kW AC
Decent driving performance and cheap to run on electric mode	Higher tailpipe emissions, compared to recent PHEVs
Decent practicality	Not as efficient as some newer PHEVs

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The BMW 530e Saloon Plug-In Hybrid (credit: BMW)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Vehicle Type:	Saloon
Engine:	Petrol-Electric
Available In India:	No

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Variants (3 Options)
BMW 530e M Sport Saloon
BMW 530e xDrive M Sport Saloon
BMW 545e xDrive M Sport Saloon

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size (11.15 kWh)
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2.5 hrs)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	50-32g (CO2/km)
Warranty:	8 years or 100,000 miles

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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

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1483
Width (mm):	1868
Length (mm):	4963
Wheelbase (mm):	2975
Boot capacity (L):	410

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BMW 530e M Sport Saloon
EV Battery Capacity:	11.15 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	32 – 37 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (miles/kWh):	3.4 – 3.7
Fuel Consumption (MPG):	201.8
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2.5 hrs)
Top Speed:	146 mph (electric mode: 146 mph)
0-62 mph:	5.9 seconds
Drive:	Rear-wheel drive (RWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	80
Max Power (hp):	292
Torque (Nm):	300
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	4
Unladen Weight-EU (kg):	1,910
Colours:	10
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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BMW 530e xDrive M Sport Saloon
EV Battery Capacity:	11.15 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	29 – 33 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (miles/kWh):	3.2 – 3.5
Fuel Consumption (MPG):	166.2
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2.5 hrs)
Top Speed:	142 mph (electric mode: 146 mph)
0-62 mph:	5.9 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	80
Max Power (hp):	292
Torque (Nm):	300
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	4
Unladen Weight-EU (kg):	1,970
Colours:	10
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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BMW 545e xDrive M Sport Saloon
EV Battery Capacity:	11.15 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	29 – 33 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (miles/kWh):	3.3 – 3.5
Fuel Consumption (MPG):	156.9
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2.5 hrs)
Top Speed:	155 mph (electric mode: 146 mph)
0-62 mph:	4.6 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	80
Max Power (hp):	394
Torque (Nm):	450
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	4
Unladen Weight-EU (kg):	2,020
Colours:	10
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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History Of Electric Cars: Quick Facts

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• An electric vehicle (EV), also referred to as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) is not a new invention or even an invention of modern times. Indeed, EVs were first developed more than a 100 years ago in the 19^th century. Put another way, Mahatma Gandhi was yet to be born, when inventors from various countries, to include European countries and the United States were already investing electric motors and batteries.  

• The first practical electric cars were built in the second half of the nineteenth century, with the first US electric car introduced in 1890. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had just turned 21! 

• Electric vehicles came into prominence in the early 1900’s, a time when horse-drawn carriages were the primary mode of transportation. Archived black and white photographs from that period show famous avenues like Madison Avenue in New York city filled with horse-drawn carriages. In stark contrast, a similar photograph taken a decade later of Madison Avenue showed not a single horse-drawn carriage. Instead the avenue  was filled with motor vehicles, a new invention. It was the beginning of man’s love affair with cars that has lasted more than a century and still going strong. 

• However, the uptake of electric vehicles in the early 20^th century was short-lived, as gasoline powered vehicles propelled by internal combustion engines (ICE) become the preferred mode of transportation.  

• Bottom-line, manufactures chose internal combustion engines over electric cars in the early 1900s for various reasons, to include, the costs and production volumes.  

• It is not definitive as to where EVs were invented or to credit a single inventor. However, one known electric motor (small-scale) was created in 1828 by Anyos Jedlik, a Hungarian inventor, engineer, physicist and Benedictine priest. Hungarians and Slovaks still consider him to be the unsung hero of the electric motor.  

• Shortly after, between 1832 and 1839, a Scottish inventor Robert Anderson created a large electric motor to drive a carriage, powered by non-rechargeable primary power cells. Through the 19^th century a number of inventors were inspired to develop electric motors to include, Thomas Davenport, an American from Vermont credited with building the first DC electric motor in America (1834). Unlike many of his contemporaries and other trying to build electric motors, Davenport did not have a background in either engineering or physics.  In fact, he was a blacksmith. 

• Move forward a few decades and at the end of the 19^th century, William Morrison created what is believed to be the first practical electric vehicle. Morrison, another American from Des Moines, Iowa, was a chemist who became interested in electricity. He build the first electric vehicle in 1887 in a carriage built by the Des Moines Buggy Co.  His first attempt was not a great success. In 1890, he attempted again, with more success. 12 EVs were built using a carriage built by the Shaver Carriage Company.

• The batteries were designed and developed by William Morrison. The vehicle had 24 batteries with an output of 112 amperes at 58 volts that took 10 hours to recharge. Available horsepower just under 4 horsepower. The vehicle could accommodate 6 individuals and had a top speed of 14 mph (22.50 km/h).

• Morrison’s success led to others also developing large-scale practical electric cars.  At the turn of the century cities like New York had 60 electric taxis. The first decade witnessed strong popularity for electric vehicles. However the popularity was short-lived as internal combustion engine (ICE) gasoline powered vehicles replaced the early electric vehicles. Henry Ford’s success with the then ubiquitous Ford Model T was the ‘beginning of the end’ for electric vehicles. The Model T was cheaper than the prevailing electric cars (US$ 650 Vs US$ 1,750) and could be manufactured at scale. As they say — the rest is history.  

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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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