Electric Cars: The Basics
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The All-Electric VW ID.4 GTX SUV
Volkswagen AG, the Germany automotive group is one of the leading automotive companies in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry. Volkswagen has committed to an investment up to Euro 30 billion by 2023. It aims to sell 3 million electric vehicles by 2025 and launch up to 70 new EV models over the next 10 years.
With the launch of its electric vehicle ID. Family, VW is fast cementing a dominant position to become the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer by 2028, with the automotive behemoth planning to manufacturer 22 million electric vehicles. The automotive company currently has a number of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on sale, to include:
- The all-electric VW ID.3
- The all-electric VW ID.4
- The all-electric VW ID.4 GTX
- The all-electric VW ID.5
- The all-electric VW ID.7
- The all-electric VW ID.Buzz
- The all-electric VW e-up!
- VW Touareg Plug-In Hybrid
- VW Passat GTE Plug-In Hybrid
- VW Passat GTE Plug-In Hybrid Estate
- VW Golf 8 Plug-In Hybrid
- VW Tiguan eHybrid
The series production of the all-electric VW ID.4 commenced in August 2020 at the company’s factory in Zwickau (Germany). The ID.3 VW hatchback electric car is also manufactured at the same location. The pure electric ID.4 is a compact crossover, well suited for families, seeking practicality and ample interior space. The ID.4 GTX EV is the sportier performance version of the ID.4 variant.
The VW ID.4 has much to offer families and company-car drivers keen to migrate to zero-tailpipe emission electric driving. The e-SUV is available in one EV battery size (77 kWh) and all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard.
The manufacturer claims a zero-emission electric range up to 504 km (WLTP). Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the EV delivers a useful and practical electric range, for most day-to-day needs and for longer distance motorway driving.
For those new to electric driving, a number of factors impact the claimed range. These include: driving profile, weather conditions, road surface, wheel size, onboard services used, passenger load and more. The electric car also incorporates regenerative braking to increase the efficiency and electric range. A pure electric range closer to 470 km is more realistic.
The VW EV offers DC charging up to 125 kW. The EV can be charged up to 80% in 38 minutes. The EV does incorporate a three-phase 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard. Given that most homes in Ireland are powered by single-phase power supply, most of us will not be able to take advantage of the three-phase onboard charger. Single-phase EV charging (7.4 kW) will take just over 12 hours for a full charge.
Though the EV can be charged via a domestic 3-PIN plug, we at e-zoomed do not encourage using a domestic plug for charging 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. The manufacturer offers a 8 years/ 160,000 km warranty.
In terms of performance, the all-wheel drive VW ID.4 GTX electric SUV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds (maximum power: 299 PS). The top speed for the EV is 180 km/h. Of course, the electric car also benefits from instant torque.
The VW EV has a host of features on offer, to include: lane assist, park assistance plus with front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera, dynamic road sign display, front assist – autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring and more. The EV has a 543 L boot space.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good electric range | Expensive |
| All-wheel drive as standard | Available only in one battery size |
| 11 kW on board charger/ 125 DC charging | Cheaper electric SUV alternatives available |
Gallery
The All-Electric Volkswagen ID.4 GTX SUV (credit: VW)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Vehicle Type: | SUV |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (2 Options) |
|---|
| Volkswagen ID.4 GTX Business (from € 64,530) |
| Volkswagen ID.4 GTX Max (from € 74,950) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 77 kWh |
| Charging: | 125 kW DC Rapid Charging (5%-80%: 38 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0%–100%: N/A) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
| Warranty: | 8 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): | 1616 |
| Width (mm): | 1852 |
| Length (mm): | 4582 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2765 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.57 |
| Boot Space (L): | 543 |
| ID.4 GTX | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 77 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 485 – 504 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/km): | 18.0 – 19.2 |
| Charging: | 125 kW DC Rapid Charging (5%-80%: 38 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0%–100%: N/A) |
| Top Speed: | 180 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.2 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | N/A |
| Max Power (PS): | 299 |
| Torque (Nm): | 460 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight (kg): | 2,224 |
| Colours: | 5 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Top 5 Jargons
There is no doubt, in that, for those new to electric driving, the terminology can be both daunting and confusing. We have chosen the top 5 jargons to help you get more familiar with electric vehicles (EVs)!
| Top 5 Jargons : Electric Vehicles (EVs) | |
|---|---|
| EV (Electric Vehicle) | An EV is any vehicle that uses ‘electricity’ or an ‘electric motor’ to power the vehicle. The electric motor derives its power from a rechargeable battery or batteries. In general, EVs are less dependent on petrol or diesel as fuel, and in the case of pure electric cars, not dependent at all, on petrol/diesel for propulsion. EVs encompass all types of electric vehicles, to include Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), Extended Range Electric Vehicles (E-REVs) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). |
| Regenerative Braking | Driving at all times requires braking. However, on more densely populated roads, the frequency and intensity of braking increases, reducing the efficiency of the vehicle. Regenerative braking is the process of capturing energy, otherwise wasted during braking. According to the rules of physics, energy cannot be destroyed, instead it simply transfers from one state to another. The same principle applies to braking. The kinetic energy that propels a car forward is usually displaced or wasted as heat. Regenerative braking captures this kinetic energy, that in turn recharges an onboard EV battery, increasing both efficiency and electric range. Electric cars like Toyota Prius PHEV, Jaguar I-PACE BEV and Tesla Model 3 BEV use regenerative braking to increase efficiency and electric range. |
| Torque | Torque (Nm) is the measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis. Torque is a key factor in determining acceleration of a vehicle and is defined as the engines rotational speed. Torque is most commonly defined as the force required to twist an object. For example, a wrench being used. The heavier a car, the more important is the role of torque i.e. the vehicle needs more rotational force to help it accelerate faster. |
| WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) | In a bid to continue to improve the quality of data released by automotive manufacturers (OEMs), on efficiency, range and CO2 emissions, Europe has introduced the WLTP testing procedure. WLTP is seen as a significant improvement over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) testing standard designed in the 1980s. In general, WLTP data is more realistic compared to NEDC! WLTP has been developed with the aim of becoming a global standard, so that cars can be easily compared between regions. However, real world driving data will still differ from WLTP data. As an example, the real world electric range of an electric car can be significantly lower than the stated WLTP range, depending on driving style, driving conditions, weather, onboard services used and more! |
| ULEVs (Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles) | An ultra low emission vehicle is any vehicle that emits less than 75g of CO2/km and is capable of operating with zero-tailpipe emissions for at least 10 miles. In general, ULEVs release emissions that are at least 50% lower than petrol and diesel cars, by using low carbon technologies. ULEVs include all types of electric vehicles: BEVs, PHEVs, E-REVs etc. and are a key solution in improving air quality. There are currently numerous ULEVs available, to include e-cars, e-vans, e-motorcycles, e-mopeds and e-taxis. Examples include: Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, MINI Countryman PHEV and Renault Kangoo ZE. |
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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