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 Citroën ë-Berlingo MPV
Citroën is a leading French automobile manufacturer, now owned by Netherlands based Stellantis N.V., which was formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Italian/ American) and Groupe PSA (French). Stellantis owns a diverse and comprehensive portfolio of leading automotive brands, to include, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Jeep, FIAT, Alfa Romeo etc. Previously, Peugeot owned a 89.95% stake in the company. The Citroen electric vehicle (EV) portfolio includes both, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models:
- Citroen C5 Aircross Plug-In Hybrid
- All-electric Citroen ë-C3
- All-electric Citroen ë-C4
- All-electric Citroen ë-C4 X
- All-electric Citroen ë-Berlingo
- All-electric Citroen ë-Spacetourer
- Citroën C5 X Plug-In Hybrid
- All-electric Citroen Ami
The internal combustion engine (ICE) Berlingo was first shown at the Paris Motor Show in 1996 (first generation). The multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is now in its third generation, which was unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Auto Show. The Berlingo has been sold as both a commercial van and a passenger vehicle. Since 1996 more than 1.5 million vehicles have been sold.
The ë-Berlingo passenger electric van was launched in January 2021. The new Citroën pure electric MPV has been positioned as a leisure activity vehicle, that offers the versatility for ‘everyday practicality and adventure for the great outdoors’. The MPV is appropriate for families seeking an affordable electric car that offers space and practicality.
In Ireland, the pure electric MPV is available in two sizes: the 5-seater M version (4.4m) and the 7-seater XL version (4.75m). The seven-seater has an additional third passenger row, which offers ample headroom. The plug-in electric passenger van also offers easy access to the rear passenger seats, given the sliding doors, perfect for carparks with tight spaces. The electric Berlingo is family-friendly, with the rear seats (when folded) offering up to 4,000 L volume and more than 3m of loading length in the XL versions. The M version offers a 775 L boot and the XL offers 1050 L.
The electric vehicle (EV) has a 50 kWh EV battery with a zero-tailpipe emission electric range up to 280 km. Of course, do keep in mind that the real-world pure electric range is impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, payload, weather, road conditions, onboard services uses etc.
Expect a real-world e-range closer to 240 km, which is still very useful for a family vehicle. The majority of day-to-day trips are shorter commutes (below 20 km) i.e. grocery store, school-runs, work etc. In any case, for day and weekend trips on the motorway, the electric range is decent! However, we urge Citroën to also offer this EV in a larger battery size, closer to 100 kWh.
The e-van also benefits from DC charging capability. The passenger electric van can be charged up to 100 kW DC charging i.e. up to 80% charge in 30 minutes. Just sufficient time for a short break for rest! For home charging using a dedicated 7 kW EV charger like the myenergi zappi EV charger, a full charge will take up to 8 hours. The EV has a 7.4 kW onboard charger. We at e-zoomed recommend charging the electric vehicle overnight, when the electricity prices are cheaper.
The e-MPV is equipped with a 8″ display (Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto), 18 driving assistance systems: head-up display, intelligent beam headlights, active safety brake, collision risk alert, keyless entry/start, 180-degree colour reversing camera, park assist, active lane departure warning system, blind spot monitoring and more. The EV also has four connectivity technologies.
In terms of performance, as you can expect from a family MPV, it is reasonable but not brisk. The front-wheel drive EV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 11.5 seconds (max power: 134 hp). The top speed is 130 km/h. Yes, the EV benefits from instant torque. The electric van offers 3 driving modes: Normal, Eco and Power. The Eco mode optimises energy consumption and the Power mode is to maintain the performance of the vehicle when fully loaded.
Bottom-line, for families and company-car drivers seeking a practical, zero-tailpipe emission passenger electric van, the Citroën ë-Berlingo is worth considering. Electric driving is good for the environment and for the wallet!
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
An affordable family electric people carrier : value for money | Only available in a 50 kWh EV battery option with limited EV range |
A family-friendly practical passenger electric van | Infotainment system can be improved |
DC charging up to 100 KW | Performance lacks inspiration |
The Citroën ë-Berlingo MPV (credit: Citroen)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
Body Type: | MPV |
Engine: | Electric |
Available In Ireland: | Yes |
Variants (2 Options) |
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Citroen ë-Berlingo M Size (from € 36,462) |
Citroen ë-Berlingo L Size (from € 37,427) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
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EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 50 kWh |
Charging: | 100 kW DC rapid charging (15%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger: 7.4 kW (0%-100%: 8 hrs) |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
Battery 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 (M Version) | |
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Height (mm): | 1844 |
Width (mm): | 1848 |
Length (mm): | 4403 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2785 |
Turning Circle (m): | 10.8 |
Boot Space (L): | 775 |
ë-Berlingo M | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 50 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 280 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | 194 |
Charging: | 100 kW DC rapid charging (15%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger: 7.4 kW (0%-100%: 8 hrs) |
Top Speed: | 130 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 11.5 seconds |
Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 100 |
Horsepower (hp): | 134 |
Torque (Nm): | 260 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 or 7 |
Doors: | 5 |
Unladen Weight (kg): | 1,739 |
Colours: | 5 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Four-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 2022, a total of 23,356 new electric cars were registered in Ireland. BEVs commanded the highest market share (67.13%), between the different types of electric cars, with PHEVs commanding just over 30% market share. The majority of the plug-in hybrids registered were petrol plug-in hybrids, with only very few diesel plug-in hybrids registered.
We can expect this trend to continue, given the significant increase in electric range, affordability and choice of pure electric cars in Ireland. Top EV brands in Ireland in 2022: Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, BMW and Volvo. Other popular electric car brands include: Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Peugeot and Audi.
In January 2023, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), accounted for over 20% of all new cars registered in Ireland. A total of 3,674 BEVs and 1,900 PHEVs were registered. The all-electric IONIQ 5 was the best-selling EV in Ireland in January 2023.
The government has set a target of 936,000 electric vehicles (EVs) 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.
Top 5 Electric Cars (2022) | Market Share (%) |
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Volkswagen ID.4 | 12.77% |
Hyundai IONIQ 5 | 4.99% |
Tesla Model 3 | 4.47% |
Kia EV6 | 4.09% |
Volkswagen ID.3 | 3.96% |
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