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 Peugeot 508 SW PHEV Estate
Peugeot is part of the Netherlands based Stellantis N.V., which was formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Italian/ American) and Groupe PSA (French). You may not be familiar with these names, but the automotive brands in the portfolio would be well known to most consumers. These include: Maserati, Opel, Vauxhall, Jeep, FIAT, Alfa Romeo etc. The company’s portfolio of electric vehicles (EVs) include:
- The all-electric Peugeot e-2008
- The all-electric Peugeot e-208
- Peugeot 308 PHEV
- Peugeot 308 SW PHEV
- Peugeot 3008 PHEV
- Peugeot 508 PHEV
- Peugeot 508 SW PHEV
- The all-electric Peugeot e-Rifter
- Peugeot e-Traveller PHEV
- Peugeot 408 PHEV
The Peugeot 508 family car has been manufactured since 2010. The 508 SW (estate) was launched in 2015. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant was released in 2019. The electric vehicle (EV) is available as a front-wheel drive (FWD).
The estate car (station wagon) segment has had no shortage of options that offer ‘spaciousness’. However, very few offer style, alongside practicality, that too in an environmentally-friendly electric estate car. The Peugeot 508 SW plug-in hybrid is one of the few estates, that combines good looks, practicality and lower tailpipe emission (38g CO2/km) in the same vehicle.
Given the hugely compelling sporty exterior styling, coupled with a decent level of standard kit, the 508 SW plug-in can attract, both premium badge and non-premium badge buyers. The Peugeot EV is suitable for both families and company-car drivers.
Both have the opportunity to lower motoring costs by leveraging the onboard electric motor and EV battery to drive on electric mode. As is the case with electric driving, leveraging the e-mode in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, helps lower the cost of motoring.
The Peugeot 508 plug-in electric car has a 11.8 kWh onboard EV battery, with a claimed zero-emission electric range up to 62 km (WLTP certified). However, the real-world EV range will be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, passenger load, weather, wheel size, road condition etc. Assuming a 50 km emission-free electric range is more realistic, which will be sufficient for most shorter commutes. The EV also has regenerative braking to increase the electric range.
If your driving is predominantly motorway and long-distances, it would be a challenge to leverage the benefits of zero-tailpipe emission electric driving with this PHEV. However, if the majority of your travel is shorter distances (school-runs, work, grocery store, gym, high street etc), then the e-mode will certainly prove to be useful in saving money.
Peugeot claims a fuel economy up to 1.3 l/100km, but achieving this will require using the onboard electric motor, powered by the EV battery on a regular basis. As is the case with the real-world electric range, expect the real-world fuel economy to be less efficient than the manufacturer claimed figures.
The Peugeot 508 SW HYBRID 225 e-EAT8 pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor (80kW), delivering a maximum combined 225 HP and 266 Nm torque. The estate electric car can achieve 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. The top speed of the EV is 240 km/h (135 km/h on pure electric mode). Certainly suitable for city and motorway driving.
There is also the option of a higher performance Peugeot 508 SW PHEV i.e. with a Hybrid 360 e-EAT8 4WD (Peugeot Sport Engineered). This EV delivers a combined output up to 355 HP and 384 Nm. It can achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds.
Of course, for the higher performance, the EV range has to be compromised and this variant has a claimed electric range up to 42 km. The PHEV offers 5 driving modes, to include: electric, 4WD, sport, hybrid and comfort.
Like the other Peugeots PHEVs, the 508 plug-in hybrid also uses the EMP2 platform. The EV has three driving modes: hybrid, electric and sport. Of course, using the sport mode will reduce the fuel economy of the PHEV.
The EV can be fully charged in 1 hour and 45 minutes (7 kW onboard charger) via a dedicated single-phase EV home charging station like easee. The manufacturer offers a 3.7 kW onboard charger as standard, but offers the option to upgrade to a 7 kW onboard charger, at an additional cost. Charging time using a 3.7 kW onboard charger will be up to 4 hours. The EV does not offer fast DC charging capability.
Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which again is as easy as charging a smartphone. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for charging an electric car.
A ‘topping up’ approach to charging will help improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle and also improve the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Peugeot offers a warranty up to 8 years or 160,000 km for the battery (70% of original capacity).
The interior quality is high and the manufacturer offers a good level of standard technology and features, to include: driver assist pack, lane keeping assist, speed limit recognition, blind spot detection, driver attention warning, 12.3″ touchscreen with 3D navigation and more. The PHEV has been awarded a Five-Stars NCAP safety rating. In terms of practicality, though the 508 SW does not offer class-leading interior space and boot volume (530 L), it still offers abundant practicality.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Peugeot 508 SW plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is not available in India.
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
An affordable family estate PHEV | Standard on board charger only 3.7 kW (option to upgrade to 7.2 kW at an additional cost) |
Good electric range | Alternatives are more fun to drive |
Good looking estate family car | Touchscreen can be improved |
The Peugeot 508 SW PHEV Estate (credit: Peugeot)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
Body Type: | Estate |
Engine: | Petrol-Electric |
Available In India: | No |
Variants (1 Option) |
---|
Peugeot 508 SW (Rs N/A) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
---|---|
EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 11.8 kWh |
Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.7 kW standard (0% – 100%: 4 hrs). 7.4 kW AC optional (0% – 100%: 2 hrs) |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 29 – 38g (CO2/km) |
Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 160,000 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 | |
---|---|
Height (mm): | 1420 |
Width (mm): | 1859 |
Length (mm): | 4778 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2793 |
Turning Circle (m): | 11.9 |
Boot Space (L): | 530 |
Peugeot 508 HYBRID 225 e-EAT8 | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 11.8 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 56 – 62 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | N/A |
Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 1.3 – 1.4 |
Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.7 kW standard (0% – 100%: 4 hrs). 7.4 kW AC optional (0% – 100%: 2 hrs) |
Top Speed: | 240 km/h (electric: 135 km/h) |
0-100 km/h: | 8.3 seconds |
Drive: | Front-wheel Drive (FWD) |
Max Power (hp): | 225 |
Torque (Nm): | 266 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 5 |
Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,720 |
Colours: | 7 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Cheap Electric Cars Available In India
Ask any expert on electric vehicles (EVs) the key success factors for the rapid adoption of electric driving. Affordability, range and EV charging infrastructure are always identified as key to the successful uptake of EVs, with affordability taking centre stage in the narrative. This holds true for all countries, to include India.
In fact, it can be argued, that for a country like India, with a GDP per capita of less that US$ 2,000, the need for affordable electric cars is even more pronounced. It is true, in that, driving an electric car per mile, is significantly cheaper than driving an internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol or diesel vehicle. However, apart from running and maintenance costs, the purchase cost is also a key determinant in the decision making of a buyer.
Though India has witnessed an increase in activity in the introduction of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), the price tag for the majority of pure electric cars (also known as BEVs), is beyond the reach of most families and businesses in India. As an example, the phenomenally fast (and good looking) Audi RS e-tron GT BEV is priced at Rs 2.05 crores. It is simply only ‘affordable’ for a very small percentage of the consumer base in India.
For the adoption of electric driving to gather momentum in India, the introduction and availability of cheaper electric cars is vital! The availability of EVs priced below Rs 20 lakhs will be instrumental in encouraging buyers to migrate to electric driving. Despite the lack of affordable electric cars in India, there is a glimmer of hope, in that, there are a few affordable pure electric cars currently available in India. We would encourage local and global automotive manufacturers to develop and introduce electric vehicles better suited for the family budget in India. Moreover, the support of government subsidies and grants will also be important in the uptake of EVs in India.
EV | Type Of EV | Price |
---|---|---|
Hyundai Kona Electric | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) | Rs 23.79 Lakhs |
MG ZS EV | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) | Rs 21.49 Lakhs |
Tata Tigor EV | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) | Rs 11.99 Lakhs |
Tata Nexon | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) | Rs 14.24 Lakhs |
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