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 Volkswagen ID. Buzz MPV
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 Volkswagen ID.Buzz is the latest pure electric vehicle from the German automotive manufacturer. It is the first all-electric family MPV from Volkswagen. The EV shares the same MEB platform as the other Volkswagen pure electric cars. The ID. Buzz was first shown as a concept vehicle in 2017 at the North American International Auto Show.
For families keen on a practical and environmentally friendly MPV, the all-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz is certainly worth consideration. Though it is currently available only as a 5-seater, the automotive manufacturer is expected to release a seven-seater version in due course (late 2023).
The e-Van is available in one EV battery size (77 kWh). The manufacturer claims a zero-emission electric range up to 415 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 350 km is more realistic.
The VW EV offers DC charging up to 170 kW. The EV can be charged up to 80% in 30 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. For those with access to 3-phase EV charging, the EV can be fully charged in 7 hours and 30 minutes. 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 rear-wheel drive VW ID.Buzz electric van can achieve 0-100 km/h in 10.2 seconds (maximum power: 204 PS/ torque: 310 Nm). The top speed for the EV is 145 km/h. Of course, the electric car also benefits from instant torque.
The EV is well equipped. Some of the standard features include: adaptive cruise control (ACC) stop & go with speed limiter, dynamic road sign display, lane assist, park assist plus including park distance control, rear-view camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Discover Pro’ navigation system with 12 inch colour touch-screen and more.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good zero-emission pure electric range | Only available in one battery size option |
| Attractive and iconic exterior styling | Not currently available as a seven-seater |
| 170 kW DC charging and 11 kW onboard charger as standard | Cheaper alternatives available |
Gallery
The All-Electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz MPV (credit: Volkswagen)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Body Type: | MPV |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (4 Options) |
|---|
| Volkswagen ID.Buzz Life (from € 68,470) |
| Volkswagen ID.Buzz Family (from € 73,040) |
| Volkswagen ID.Buzz Tech (from € 74,640) |
| Volkswagen ID.Buzz Max (from € 78,515) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 77 kWh |
| Charging: | 170 kW DC Rapid Charging (5%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 7 hrs 30 mins) |
| 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 | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1927 |
| Width (mm): | 1985 |
| Length (mm): | 4712 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2989 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.10 |
| Boot Space (L): | 1,121 |
| ID.Buzz | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 77 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 415 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/ 100km): | 20.8 – 21.2 |
| Charging: | 170 kW DC Rapid Charging (5%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 7 hrs 30 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 145 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 10.2 seconds |
| Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Max Power (PS): | 204 |
| Torque (Nm): | 310 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Weight (kg): | 2,459 |
| Colours: | 11 |
| 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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