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 Skoda ENYAQ iV Electric SUV
Skoda Auto, more commonly referred to as Skoda, is headquartered in the Czech Republic. The company was established in 1895. In 1991, the company become part of the German automotive group, Volkswagen. Skoda vehicles are sold in over 100 countries.
Skoda is committed to an electrification strategy, to include, launching up to 10 electric vehicles, with 6 pure-electric models by 2025. According to the company, “By 2022, we will be investing a full two billion Euros into eMobility and new mobile services. These investments encompass new products and the production, purchase, quality and launch of new electric vehicles.”
The Citigo-e IV is the first all-electric vehicle from Skoda targeted at the urban consumer. Order books for this BEV opened in December 2019. The all-electric SKODA ENYAQ iV is the first pure electric SUV from SKODA. The e-SUV went on sale in 2020. The SKODA electric vehicles range includes:
- SKODA ENYAQ iV SUV
- SKODA ENYAQ Coupé iV SUV
- SKODA OCTAVIA plug-in hybrid hatchback
- SKODA OCTAVIA plug-in hybrid estate
- SKODA SUPERB plug-in hybrid hatchback
- SKODA SUPERB iV plug-in hybrid estate
The Skoda ENYAQ iV is Skoda’s first pure electric SUV and second battery-electric vehicle (BEV). The EV uses the Volkswagen Group’s MEB EV platform (the Volkswagen all-electric ID.3 uses the same platform). The nameplate has been derived from the Irish name ‘Enya’, which means ‘source of life’. The ‘E’ refers to electromobility and the ‘Q’ characterising the final letters of SKODA’s SUV family.
Without an iota of doubt, the Skoda Enyaq electric SUV has much to offer families and company-car drivers keen to migrate to electric driving. The EV is available in two EV battery sizes, and as a front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variant. Fantastic, as this increases the broader appeal of the Skoda EV to a larger consumer base.
In terms of practical emission-free electric range, both EV battery sizes have much to offer, depending on the commuting needs of the family or company-car driver. The 62 kWh EV battery has an electric range up to 395 km (WLTP), while the 82 kWh has a claimed e-range up to 547 km (WLTP).
Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, both options remain useful! For the 62 kWh expect a real-world range closer to 335 km, while for the larger EV battery, 465 km will be more realistic. More than adequate for city and longer distance motorway driving.
The Skoda Enyaq EV incorporates a single-phase (7.2 KW AC) onboard charger as standard. Given that the majority of homes in India have single-phase power supply, the single-phase onboard charger is appropriate. The 62 kWh EV can be fully charged (single-phase) in 9 hours and 30 minutes using a dedicated residential EV charger like easee.
The 82 kWh can be full charged in 13 hours using single-phase charging. Though the electric car can be charged via a domestic 3-PIN socket, we at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic socket to charge 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. Skoda offers a 8 years/ 160,000 km warranty.
The Skoda ENYAQ iV also offers DC charging capability. The larger EV battery can be fast charged up to 135 kW DC, while the smaller EV battery can be charged up to 120 kW DC. The 62 kWh EV battery can be charged 10%-80% in 35 minutes, while the 82 kWh battery can be charged up to 80% in 36 minutes. Just enough time for a short motorway break.
For those with access to only 50 kW DC, the 62 kWh will take 55 minutes to charge up to 80%. The 82 kWh will take up to 70 minutes. Though these DC charging speeds are adequate, it is worth noting that some of the newer pure electric cars are offering even faster DC charging capability.
The manufacturer offers the following features and technology. Some as standard, others as options: front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, lane assist, keyless stop/stop system, 13″ touchscreen infotainment display, assisted drive package basic, climate package basic and more! In terms of practicality, the Enyaq family SUV is compelling. Ample headroom, legroom, interior space, comfort and more. The available boot space is 585 L.
The Skoda Enyaq is available as an all-wheel drive (AWD) in only the most expensive trim (ENYAQ iV 80x SportLine Plus). The other trims are offered as a rear-wheel drive (RWD). In terms of performance, the entry-level Skoda Enyaq iV 60 achieves 0-100 km/h in 8.4 seconds (max power: 179 PS/ torque: 310 Nm).
For the all-wheel drive 82 kWh variant, the EV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds (max power: 265 PS/ torque: 425 Nm). The top speed of the EV is 160 km/h. Of course, the electric car also benefits from instant torque.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Skoda ENYAQ iV Electric SUV is not available in India.
PROS | CONS |
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Affordable electric SUV for families and good all-rounder | Onboard charger limited to single-phase (7.2 kW) |
Two EV battery sizes on offer | All-wheel drive is not available as standard |
Good pure electric range | Not all variants come with 135 kW DC charging as standard |
The All-Electric Skoda ENYAQ iV SUV (credit: Skoda)
At A Glance | |
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EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
Body Type: | SUV |
Engine: | Electric |
Available In India: | No |
Trims (1 Option) |
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Skoda ENYAQ iV (Rs N/A) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
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EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in two battery sizes: 62 kWh/ 82 kWh |
Charging: | Up to 135 kW Rapid Charging. Onboard charger: 7.2 kW AC |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (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 | |
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Height (mm): | 1616 |
Width (mm): | 1879 |
Length (mm): | 4649 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2765 |
Turning Circle (m): | 9.3 |
Boot Capacity (L): | 585 |
ENYAQ iV 60 | |
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EV Battery Capacity: | 62 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 395 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (km/Wh): | 158.5 – 169.2 |
Charging: | 120 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 35 mins). Onboard charger: 7.2 kW AC (0%-100%: 9hrs 30 mins) |
Top Speed: | 160 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 8.4 seconds |
Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 132 |
Max Power (PS): | 179 |
Torque (Nm): | 310 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 5 |
Total Vehicle Weight (kg): | 2,500 |
Colours: | 8 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
ENYAQ iV 80/80X | |
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EV Battery Capacity: | 82 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 491 – 547 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (km/Wh): | 156.2 – 177.6 |
Charging: | 135 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 29-36 mins). Onboard charger: 7.2 kW AC (0%-100%: 13 hrs) |
Top Speed: | 160 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 6.7 – 8.2 seconds |
Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD)/ All-wheel drive (AWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 150 – 190 |
Max Power (PS): | 204 – 265 |
Torque (Nm): | 310 – 425 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 5 |
Total Vehicle Weight (kg): | 2,600 – 2,750 |
Colours: | 8 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Global Electric Vehicle (EV) Market
Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), more commonly referred to simply as, electric vehicles (EVs) or as plug-in electric cars, have come a long way over the past decade and certainly a long way over the past 100 years.
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 at that time.
We are now witnessing a similar fundamental shift in road transportation, as polluting internal combustion engines (ICE) petrol and diesel vehicles are being replaced by low-emission and zero-emission electric vehicles. In countries like the United Kingdom, a leader in e-mobility, we can expect a comprehensive replacement of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 (UK will ban the sale of new ICE cars in 2030). The UK is not the only country that has a vision of a mass transition to zero-tailpipe emission electric cars.
Since 2011, the global electric vehicle (EV) market has increased at a year-over-year growth rate of over 50%. In 2020, according to the Global EV Outlook 2021 report, the global stock of electric vehicles (EVs) had surpassed 10 million units.
In 2015, the Global stock was just over 1 million units. In 2020, Europe accounted for the largest share of new car registrations of EVs (1.4 million registered electric vehicles), followed by China (1.2 million electric vehicles). In Europe, countries like Norway, Iceland and Sweden continue to show strong leadership in the transition to electric driving. In Norway more than 75% of new cars are electric, followed by 50% in Iceland and 30% in Sweden.
However, this is not just a western phenomenon. A number of countries across the world have announced their support for electric cars, to include India. Pure electric cars are now common sightings in a number of global markets, and EV automotive manufacturers, like California based Tesla Motors are now household brands.
Traditional automotive manufactures have also shown significant commitment to the migration to electric engines, to include Volvo Cars, the Volkswagen Group, Renault, Nissan, Peugeot, Hyundai, Mercedes, Land Rover and many more. Forecast for the sale of EVs suggest up to 30 million electric vehicles to be sold before the end of the current decade.
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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