Electric Cars: The Basics
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The BMW X2 SUV PHEV
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 2 Series Active Tourer PHEV
- BMW 3 Series Saloon PHEV
- BMW 3 Series Touring PHEV
- BMW 5 Series Saloon PHEV
- BMW 5 Series Touring PHEV
- BMW 7 Series PHEV
- BMW X1 PHEV
- BMW X2 PHEV
- BMW X3 PHEV
- BMW X5 PHEV
The BMW X2 compact luxury SUV has been on sale since 2018. The SUV is manufactured in Germany, alongside the BMW X1. The BMW X2 is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
For those seeking a sportier looking, but environmentally-friendly premium-badged compact SUV, the BMW X2 plug-in hybrid is an option worth considering. Next in the line-up to the BMW X1 PHEV, the X2 plug-in hybrid offers a more stylish, coupè exterior, with an attractive sloping roofline. However, the X2 EV does have much in common with the X1 PHEV, to include the EV battery size.
The all-wheel drive BMW X2 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle has a 8.82 kWh onboard EV battery, with a quoted WLTP electric range up to 52 km. Many of the more recent PHEVs incorporate a larger EV battery and deliver a higher zero-emission EV range. Having said that, for shorter distances, in particular, in towns and cities, a pure electric range over 52 km is more than sufficient, as the majority of our daily trips are short distances: school-runs, grocery store, high street, work etc.
Despite the quoted manufacturers electric range, expect the real-world EV range to be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: the way the electric vehicle (EV) is driven, road conditions, passenger load, regenerative braking profile, speed, wheel size, weather conditions, etc. A real-world e-range will be closer to 45 km, but nevertheless sufficient and useful.
We at e-zoomed recommend (when appropriate), to always choose the maximum available regen braking profile in the EV. This will help recuperate more energy and increase the overall fuel-economy of the electric car. Moreover, we also suggest to keep the EV battery ‘topped up’, as the more the EV can be driven on electric mode, the higher the financial savings. Keep in mind, that the cost of driving an EV per km is between 5 and 10 cents per km i.e. much cheaper than driving on petrol or diesel. Also, the e-mode offers a more refined and quieter drive.
Moreover, driving on the pure electric mode, also improves the efficiency of the electric car i.e. improved fuel economy and lower motoring costs. The automotive manufacturer has a claimed fuel economy up to 1.8 l/100 km for the EV. To achieve anything close to the quoted fuel economy, driving on electric mode is a must. If the PHEV is driven primarily using the combustion engine, then expect an higher fuel economy.
The X2 EV has a 3.7 kW onboard charger, sufficient for charging a small 8.82 kWh EV battery. Though an EV can be charged using a 3-PIN domestic socket, we would encourage EV drivers to charge using a dedicated residential EV charger like Easee: faster and safer in charging operation, compared to a domestic 3-PIN plug!
Using an EV charger, the EV can be fully charged in 3.5 hours. We recommend charging overnight, when the cost of electricity is cheaper. The EV does not offer DC charging. BMW offers a 8 years or 160,000 km warranty.
The four-wheel drive BMW X2 xDrive25e PHEV pairs the 1.5-litre (3-cylinder) petrol engine (ICE) with an electric motor (70 kW). The EV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds (maximum power: 220 hp). The top speed is 195 km/h (electric mode: 130 km/h). Of course, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will be a little heavier than the internal combustion engine variant, given the additional weight of the onboard EV battery. However, a PHEV does gain from the availability of instant torque.
In terms of practicality, the rear seats are impacted by the sloping roofline i.e. lower headroom for rear seat passengers. However, the front seats have ample headroom and legroom and the front cabin is driver-centric. Also impacted by the roofline, is the rear visibility.
Despite the boot size reduced in size due to the placement of the EV battery, it still offers 410 L. As for interior quality, the X2 plug-in hybrid does not disappoint. The interior is completed to a high finish and is technology-filled, to include: driving assistant plus, BMW Head-Up Display, parking assistant, wireless charging, Apple Car Play and a lot more.
The BMW X2 PHEV tailpipe emissions are low (41 g CO2/km), compared to the conventional ICE variant. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good looking exterior styling (sportier than X1) | Small EV battery and limited electric range |
| Responsive infotainment system | Simply expensive compared to cheaper alternatives |
| Cheap to run on electric mode | On-board charger limited to 3.7 kW. DC charging not available |
Gallery
The BMW X2 Plug-In Hybrid SUV (credit: BMW)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Body Type: | SUV |
| Engine: | Petrol-Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (1 Option) |
|---|
| BMW X2 M Sport (from € 54,565) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 8.82 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3.5 hrs) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 41 – 40 g (CO2/km) |
| Warranty: | 8 years or 160,000 km |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | € 2.10 |
| Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | € 2.78 |
| Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | € 2.87 |
| Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | € 3.14 |
| Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | € 3.37 |
- 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) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1512 |
| Width (mm): | 1824 |
| Length (mm): | 4360 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2670 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.4 |
| Boot capacity (L): | 410 |
| BMW X2 xDrive25e | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 8.82 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 51 − 52 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (km/kWh): | 15.1 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 1.8 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3.5 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 195 km/h (electric: 130 km/h) |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.8 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 70 |
| Max Power (hp): | 220 |
| Torque (Nm): | 220 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 1,805 |
| Colours: | 7 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
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) |
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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