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 MG ZS EV SUV
MG Motor UK Limited (MG Motor), is a UK headquartered British automotive manufacturer, now owned by the Chinese automotive company, SAIC Motor (December 2007). SAIC is owned by the Chinese government and headquartered in Shanghai. MG was owned by MG Rover up to 2005, before the collapse of the company. The history of the company can be traced back to 1924 to its founding in Oxford (UK). MG was founded by Cecil Kimber, a motor car designer. The automotive company currently has the following battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
- All-electric MG ZS EV
- All-electric MG4 EV
- All-electric MG5 EV
- All-electric MG Cyberster
- MG HS Plug-In Hybrid
The pure electric MG ZS EV was unveiled in 2016 at the Guangzhou Auto Show. The e-SUV was launched in 2017 in China. Since its launch, the MG ZS EV has always had a decent proposition on offer, in particular, for those families seeking affordability and ‘value for money’ in a pure electric family car.
However, with the 2022 update of the electric vehicle (EV), the proposition has become even stronger for those families and company-car drivers seeking an affordable and practical electric car. As part of the 2022 update, MG updated both the size of the EV battery and introduced a second EV battery choice. The MG ZS EV is now available in two EV battery sizes: 51.1 kWh and 72.6 kWh (Long Range). Before the update the EV was only available in one battery size (44.5 kWh).
The choice of two EV battery sizes increases the potential customer base, as not every EV driver needs a large onboard EV battery and long electric range. Both battery sizes offer a useful and practical pure electric range. The 51.1 kWh has a range up to 320 km (WLTP), while the 72.6 kWh offers a range up to 440 km (WLTP). Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, both options remain useful! For the 51.1 kWh expect a real-world emission-free e-range closer to 290 km, while for the larger battery, 410 km will be more realistic.
The MG EV incorporates a single-phase (7 KW AC) onboard charger. More than adequate for EV home charging in Ireland, given that the majority of homes have single-phase power supply. The 51.1 kWh EV can be fully charged in 8 hours using a dedicated residential EV charger like easee. The MG ZS EV Long Range can be full charged in 10 hours and 30 minutes.
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. MG offers a 7 years or 160,000 km warranty.
The MG ZS electric SUV also offers DC charging capability. Using a 100 kW DC rapid charger, the 51.1 kWh EV can be charged from 10%-80% in 36 minutes. The 72.6 kWh can be charged up to 80% in 42 minutes. Of course, a 50 kW DC charger will be slower: the 51.1 kWh can be charged up to 80% in 54 minutes, while the Long Range battery will take 63 minutes.
In terms of the exterior styling, the latest update has improved the appeal of the EV. However, neither the exterior or the interior is class-leading, but it gets the job done. MG offers a host of safety features (MG Pilot Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and technology, to include: active emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, lane keep assist with lane departure warning system, traffic jam assist, intelligent speed limit assist, blind spot detection with lane change assist, 10.1″ colour touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 360o parking camera and more. The EV is practical for front and rear seat passengers. The available boot space is 470 L.
In terms of performance, the front-wheel drive MG ZS EV achieves 0-100 km/h in 8.0 seconds for the standard EV battery. The Long Range is a little slower and achieves 0-100 km/h in 8.4 seconds. The EV delivers a maximum power up to 176 PS (torque: 280 Nm). The top speed is 175 km/h.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
An affordable compact family electric SUV | Driving performance will not set the heart racing |
Available in two EV battery sizes | Only available as front-wheel drive (FWD) |
Good electric range | Interior quality can be improved |
The All-Electric MG ZS EV SUV (credit: MG)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
Vehicle Type: | SUV |
Engine: | Electric |
Available In Ireland: | Yes |
Variants (4 Options) |
---|
MG ZS EV Excite Standard Range (from € 31,995) |
MG ZS EV Excite Long Range (from € 34,495) |
MG ZS EV Exclusive Standard Range (from € 34,995) |
MG ZS EV Exclusive Long Range (from € 37,495) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
---|---|
EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in two battery sizes: 51.1/ 72.6 kWh |
Charging: | 100 kW DC Rapid Charging. Onboard charger: 7 kW AC |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
Battery Warranty: | 7 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): | 1625 – 1649 |
Width (mm): | 1809 |
Length (mm): | 4323 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2581 |
Turning Circle (m): | 11.2 |
Boot Space (L): | 470 |
MG ZS EV | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 51.1 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 320 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 17.3 |
Charging: | 100 kW Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 36 mins). Onboard charger: 7 kW AC (0%-100%: 8 hrs) |
Top Speed: | 175 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 8.0 seconds |
Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | N/A |
Maximum Power (PS): | 176 |
Torque (Nm): | 280 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 5 |
Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,570 – 1,610 |
Colours: | 4 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
MG ZS EV Long Range | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 72.6 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 440 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 17.8 |
Charging: | 100 kW Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 42 mins). Onboard charger: 7 kW AC (0%-100%: 10.5 hrs) |
Top Speed: | 175 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 8.4 seconds |
Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | N/A |
Maximum Power (PS): | 156 |
Torque (Nm): | 280 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 5 |
Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,620 |
Colours: | 4 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Ireland: EV Market Overview
As is the case in a number of global markets, to include the European Union and the United Kingdom, the sale of electric cars in Ireland is also fast gaining momentum. In fact, in January 2022, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), accounted for 21% of all new cars licensed in Ireland. Put another way, more than a fifth of the cars bought in Ireland were either pure electric or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
It is also worth nothing the continued decline in the sale of diesel vehicles in Ireland, as families and businesses migrate to lower tailpipe emission electric vehicles (EVs). Diesel market share has declined from 34.2% in early 2021 to 19.7% in early 2022. We can expect this trend to continue for the forseeable future.
The government has set a target of 936,000 electric vehicles by 2030, with 845,000 to be private passenger cars. This will be approximately a third of the vehicles on roads in Ireland (currently there are 2.8 million vehicles on the road). Like many other governments, Ireland is committed to ending the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars by 2030.
The government is committed to the rapid adoption of electric cars in the country. The Department of Transport has committed €100 million for EV subsidies in 2022 (almost double the commitment in 2021). The grant for private electric vehicles is up to €5,000 on qualifying battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), do not qualify for the electric vehicle grant.
Ireland: Top Electric Cars
Top Electric Cars | Type Of EV |
---|---|
Tesla Model 3 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Volkswagen ID.3 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Nissan Leaf | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Renault Zoe | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Volkswagen ID.4 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Hyundai IONIQ 5 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Kia e-Niro | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
Kia EV6 | Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) |
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