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 BMW i7 Saloon
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 BMW i3 EV is an excellent example of a successful pure electric car. The company currently has the following portfolio of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs):
- The all-electric BMW iX1
- The all-electric BMW iX2
- The all-electric BMW iX3
- The all-electric BMW iX
- The all-electric BMW i3
- The all-electric BMW i4
- The all-electric BMW i5
- The all-electric BMW i7
The BMW 7 Series, a luxury saloon, has been manufactured since 1977. The vehicle is currently on its sixth generation. The BMW 7 Series is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). When it comes to ultra-luxury saloon pure electric cars, the options are limited to the likes of BMW, Mercedes and Porsche electric cars.
For both families and company-car drivers keen on an environmentally-friendly luxury all-electric car, the BMW i7 is worth consideration. Of course, for owners of the conventional BMW 7 series internal combustion engine (ICE) car, the BMW i7 is a natural evolution.
The BMW i7 premium saloon car is available in one EV battery size: 105.7 kWh, and has a claimed pure electric range up to 623 km. The EV battery size and zero-emission electric range is similar to many of the more recent introductions of pure electric cars i.e. there is a trend of increasing EV battery size and longer zero-emission electric range.
Of course, the real-world EV range will be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: speed, driving profile, regen braking profile, weather conditions, road conditions, tyre size, onboard services used, payload and more. Expect a real-world electric range closer to 530 km. Still very impressive and certainly class-leading.
As is the case with electric cars, the BMW i7 has an onboard recuperation system that converts the kinetic energy during braking into electricity, further enhancing the efficiency of the electric vehicle and e-range. This is also known as regenerative braking. It does take some getting used to, but not long!
We at e-zoomed recommend a ‘topping up’ approach to charging an electric car. This way, there is always range readily available and moreover, a topping up approach reduces the amount of time required to charge. Regular charging is also beneficial for the long-term maintenance of the EV battery. BMW offers a 8 years or 160,000 km, which is fast becoming the industry standard for EVs.
The electric vehicle (EV) can be DC charged up to 195 kW and can achieve a 0%-80% in 34 minutes (6 mins = 100 km). All variants incorporate a 11 kW (3-phase) onboard charger, which can fully charge the EV in 10 hours and 30 minutes. However, given that most homes in Ireland are restricted to single-phase (7.4 kW) power supply, expect the EV to take longer to charge. At 7.4 kW the EV can achieve a range of 100 km in 2.27 hours.
The all-wheel drive BMW i7 xDrive60 electric saloon can achieve 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The electric vehicle delivers a maximum power up to 544 hp and 745 Nm torque. The top speed of the EV is 240 km/h. The EV offers up to 500 L boot space. Interior quality, level of technology and equipment is in line with the premium price tag.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good pure electric range | Available in only one EV battery size |
| DC charging up to 195 kW. Three-phase (11 kW) onboard charger as standard | Not built on a dedicated EV platform |
| Premium quality and refined drive | Cheaper alternatives available |
Gallery
The All-Electric BMW i7 Saloon (credit: BMW)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Body Type: | Saloon |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (2 Options) |
|---|
| BMW i7 Excellence (from € 140,175) |
| BMW i7 M Sport (from € 145,715) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 105.7 kWh |
| Charging: | 195 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 34 mins). Onboard charger 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 10 hrs 30 mins) |
| 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): | 1544 |
| Width (mm): | 1950 |
| Length (mm): | 5391 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 3215 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 13.1 |
| Boot Space (L): | 500 |
| BMW i7 xDrive60 | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 105.7 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 623 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (km/kWh): | 18.4 – 19.6 |
| Charging: | 195 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 34 mins). Onboard charger 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 10 hrs 30 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 240 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 4.7 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 400 |
| Max Power (hp): | 544 |
| Torque (Nm): | 745 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 2,715 |
| Colours: | 15 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Jargons
There is no doubt, in that, for those new to electric driving, the terminology can be both daunting and confusing. We have chosen a few jargons to help you get more familiar with electric vehicles (EVs)! We also recommend reading our article ‘Electric Car Jargon Buster‘ for a more comprehensive list of terms.
| Glossary: Electric Vehicles (EVs) | |
|---|---|
| Alternating Current (AC): | What is alternating current? Though we may not be familiar with this term, we use alternating current everyday in our homes to power our appliances! Alternating current is a type of electric current, in which the direction of the flow of ‘electrons’ switches back and forth at regular intervals or cycles. When an electric car is charged at home, the type of electric current used, is alternating current. |
| Direct Current (DC): | What is direct current? Direct current (DC) is a type of electric current that flows in only one direction i.e. uni-directional. DC enables the constant flow of electrons from an area of high electron density to an area of low electron density. DC is quite common in our day-to-day lives. Many of the appliances we use on a regular basis that are operated by batteries, use DC. A mobile phone, a laptop, a torch light etc. In electric cars, the onboard EV battery also uses direct current to store energy. |
| Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle (ICEV): | What is an internal combustion engine car? Put simply, conventional petrol and diesel vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE). These vehicles ‘combust’ fuel with the help of an oxidizer (typically oxygen from the air). These vehicles mostly use fossil fuels, like petrol, diesel, jet fuel etc. These vehicles are characterised by high tailpipe emissions, which pollute the local air. |
| One-Pedal Driving: | What is one-pedal driving? In one-pedal driving, the EV slows down or stops, when the pedal is released. One-pedal functionality reduce the need to use the brake pedal, for speed reduction or stopping. Of course, the brake pedal is still the best way to hold a vehicle in place at a complete stop. |
| Smart EV Charger: | What is a smart EV charger? A smart or ‘intelligent’ electric car charger, is a type of EV charger that enables smart functionality, to include, more control by the user, and communication between the EV charging station, the operator, the utility and the national grid. |
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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