Electric Cars: The Basics
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The All-Electric BMW i5 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
BMW continues to build on its EV experience curve with the introduction of the all-electric BMW i5. The best-selling BMW 5 Series has been manufactured since 1972 and the executive car is currently in its eight-generation.
The 5 Series has proved to be a remarkable success for BMW, after the 3 Series range. As of 2023, more than 10 million units of the iconic BMW 5 Series have been manufactured. The latest generation 5 Series is now available as a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and a battery-electric vehicle (BEV). BMW is expected to introduce the 5 Series plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) variant in 2024.
The all-electric BMW i5 is manufactured at the BMW Dingolfing plant in Germany, which also manufacturers a number of other BEV models, to include, the all-electric BMW i7 and the all-electric BMW iX. BMW remains committed to a sustainable approach to sourcing and manufacturing. Interestingly, up to 30% of the components are recycled material. The company claims that the latest-generation 5 Series has a 58% lower lifecycle carbon footprint compared to the previous generation.
According to the company, “Using electricity from renewable sources in the supply chain is an important lever for achieving CO2 savings. The BMW Group has already concluded more than 400 supply contracts that include the use of green electricity’. Of course this is not unique to BMW. Other automotive OEMs are also adopting a similar approach!
The pure electric i5 is positioned between the all-electric i4 and the all-electric i7. For company car executives and families keen on an environmentally-friendly premium pure electric saloon, the four-door BMW i5 has much to offer.
The premium electric car is available in one EV battery size (83.9 kWh) with a claimed zero-tailpipe emission electric range between 455 -575 km (WLTP). The eDrive40 M Sport has a range up to 575 km, the eDrive40 M Sport Pro has a range up to 568 km, the M60 xDrive has a range up to 508 km and the top of the range M60 has a range up to 516 km.
Of course, the claimed range needs to be adjusted for real-world driving conditions. The EV incorporates an onboard heat pump as standard to improve vehicle efficiency. In comparison, the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQE saloon has a 90.56 kWh onboard with a claimed e-range up to 618 km.
Despite the premium price tag, BMW offers DC charging only up to 205 kW DC. By way of comparison, the cheaper Hyundai IONIQ 6 saloon offers up to 350 kW DC as standard. Nevertheless, given the current public charging infrastructure, 205 kW DC is suitable. The i5 can be charged up to 80% in 30 minutes. Put another way, an additional 156 km range can be added every 10 minutes.
The EV also offers a three-phase 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard, with an option to upgrade to a 22 kW AC onboard charger. However, given that most homes in Ireland are powered by single-phase power supply, home charging will be limited to single-phase EV charging. For those with access to 3-phase (11 kW) AC EV charging, the BEV can be fully charged in 8 hours and 25 minutes. Single-phase EV charging will take longer!
Though the BMW i5 is not as aerodynamic as the Hyundai IONIQ 6 (drag coefficient Cd: 0.21), the i5 sleeker design offers a Cd: 0.23 drag coefficient. The more aerodynamic an electric vehicle (EV), the lower the air resistance and higher the electric range! BMW also utilises lighter weight materials to increase vehicle efficiency. These include, high-strength steels, aluminium doors, density-reduced plastics and more!
In terms of performance, the rear-wheel drive (RWD) i5 eDrive40 M Sport and Sport Pro can deliver 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds, with a top speed up to 193 km/h (max power: 340 hp/ torque: 400 Nm). While the all-wheel drive (AWD) M60 xDrive and M60 can achieve 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed up to 230 km/h (max power: 601 hp/ torque: 795 Nm). The eDrive40 and the M60 xDrive use the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology. The EV offers as an option, a trailer tow hitch with a towing capacity up to 2,000 kg.
The latest-generation 5 Series is longer by 97 mm (5,060 mm), wider by 32 mm (1,900 mm) and taller by 36 mm (1,515 mm) compared to its predecessor. The wheelbase has also been increased by 20 mm to 2,995 mm. The boot capacity is 490 L.
The EV offers ample headroom and legroom for passengers. There is an option for a panoramic glass roof which has a viewing area 90% larger than the predecessor model. In terms of the interior, in keeping with the broader trend in the automotive industry, the BMW i5 has a fully vegan interior, Veganza. It is the first BMW to offer a fully vegan interior!
The EV incorporates the BMW curved display, which includes a 12.3″ information display and a 14.9″ control display. These operate on the latest BMW Operating System 8.5. There is also a host of technology on offer, as standard equipment and options. Some of these include: highway assistant, distance control, lane control assistance, parking assist and more!
Of course, the EV offers smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. According to BMW, “As a world first, the Active Lane Change Assistant in the new BMW 5 Series Sedan can be controlled by eye confirmation”. Also worth noting that the EV has a camera placed in the interior of the vehicle to capture special moments while stationary or driving.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Available as both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) variants | Cheaper alternatives available |
| Onboard heat pump as standard | DC charging limited to 205 kW DC |
| Three-phase (11 kW) onboard charger as standard | All-wheel drive only available on the top trims |
Gallery
The All-Electric BMW i5 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 i5 M Sport (from € 91,105) |
| BMW i5 M (from € 120,205) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 83.9 kWh |
| Charging: | 205 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 30 minutes). Onboard charger: 11 kW (0%-100%: 8 hrs and 25 mins) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
| EV 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): | 1515 |
| Width (mm): | 1900 |
| Length (mm): | 5060 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2995 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 12.3 |
| Boot Capacity (L): | 490 |
| BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 83.9 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 503 – 575 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 16.1 – 18.7 |
| Charging: | 205 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 30 minutes). Onboard charger: 11 kW (0%-100%: 8 hrs and 25 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 193 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.0 seconds |
| Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 250 |
| Max Power (hp): | 340 |
| Torque (Nm): | 400 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 2,205 |
| Colours: | 11 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
| BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 83.9 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 502 – 568 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 16.3 – 18.7 |
| Charging: | 205 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 30 minutes). Onboard charger: 11 kW (0%-100%: 8 hrs and 25 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 193 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.0 seconds |
| Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 250 |
| Max Power (hp): | 340 |
| Torque (Nm): | 400 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 2,205 |
| Colours: | 11 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
| BMW i5 M60 xDrive | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 83.9 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 458 – 508 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 18.4 – 20.5 |
| Charging: | 205 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 30 minutes). Onboard charger: 11 kW (0%-100%: 8 hrs and 25 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 230 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 3.8 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 442 |
| Max Power (hp): | 601 |
| Torque (Nm): | 795 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 2,380 |
| Colours: | 11 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
| BMW i5 M60 | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 83.9 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 455 – 516 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 18.2 – 20.6 |
| Charging: | 205 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 30 minutes). Onboard charger: 11 kW (0%-100%: 8 hrs and 25 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 230 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 3.8 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 442 |
| Max Power (hp): | 601 |
| Torque (Nm): | 795 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 2,380 |
| Colours: | 11 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
Top Reasons To Buy A Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Never have the reasons to buy a pure electric car been more compelling, than in 2023. The past decade has witnessed a significant maturity of all types of electric vehicles (EVs), to include, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
In particular, BEVs have improved significantly, to include: e-range, styling, performance, choice, availability and more! A BEV, also known as a pure electric car, is propelled using energy stored in an EV battery via an electric motor. While a PHEV uses ‘hybrid technology’, to include, an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor, to propel the vehicle. A BEV does not use an internal combustion engine!
In terms of zero-emission electric range, the latest generation of all-electric cars can achieve between 200 km to 500 km on a single charge. Some even more. As an example, the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQE saloon has a claimed electric range up to 618 km (WLTP) on a single charge. We can continue to expect further improvements in battery performance and electric range in the coming years.
In terms of style and performance, we are now spoilt for choice across all budget segments. Even the likes of the famed ultra-luxurious automotive manufacturer, Rolls-Royce Motors Cars has joined the race to the migration to pure electric cars.
The all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre is a defining chapter in the history of the famed luxury automotive manufacturer, as it migrates to the production of electric cars. From 2030, Rolls-Royce will electrify its entire portfolio of luxury cars. The Spectre is the first production pure electric car, which was announced in September 2021. The launch of the Rolls-Royce Spectre is also a defining moment for the global automotive industry!
| Top Reasons To Buy A Pure Electric Car | |
|---|---|
| Tailpipe emissions: | A pure electric car has zero-tailpipe emissions i.e. improves air quality in the immediate area. |
| Cheaper to ‘charge’ than ‘fill’: | Significantly cheaper to recharge a full EV battery, compared to filling a full tank of petrol or diesel. An EV battery can be charged for as little as€10, while filling a tank of fuel is usually over€100! |
| Cheaper running costs: | Cheaper to drive per km, compared to an internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol/ diesel car. An EV costs less than 10 cents per km to drive. |
| Lower maintenance costs: | Lower maintenance costs, compared to aninternal combustion engine petrol/ diesel car. Pure electric cars have fewer moving parts, so less can go wrong! |
| Lower noise pollution: | Lower noise pollution,compared to aninternal combustion engine petrol/ diesel car. Noise pollution is as detrimental to health, as air pollution! |
| Smoother and quieter drive: | BEVs are in general silent, improving the travel experience in the cabin. Moreover, the delivery of power is smoother, further enhancing the driving experience. |
| Instant torque: | Yes certainly, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) have better torque performance compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. BEVs can deliver immediate torque. The better torque performance of electric cars, further contributes to the ‘fun factor’ in driving an EV, compared to a conventional car. |
| Vast choice for all budgets: | A vast range of fantastic EV available on sale, for all budgets, body types and aspirations. |
| Government grants: | Attractive government subsidies to support the uptake of electric cars. Take advantage while still available. |
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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