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 Audi RS e-tron GT Saloon
Audi AG, a Bavaria (Germany) based luxury automotive manufacturer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, the Germany automotive group. Volkswagen AG 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 is to become the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer by 2028, with the automotive behemoth planning to manufacturer 22 million electric vehicles. The Audi all-electric e-tron portfolio includes:
- Audi SQ8 e-tron Sportback
- Audi SQ8 e-tron SUV
- Audi Q8 e-tron SUV
- Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback
- Audi Q4 e-tron SUV
- Audi e-tron S Sportback
- Audi e-tron S SUV
- Audi e-tron GT
- Audi e-tron SUV
- Audi e-tron Sportback
- Audi RS e-tron GT
- Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback
The Audi e-tron GT concept electric vehicle (EV) was shown in 2018 in Los Angeles. Images of the production model were released in late 2020. The EV shares a lot in common with the all-electric Porsche Taycan (Porsche is also owned by the Volkswagen Group).
The Audi RS e-tron GT pure electric saloon is manufactured in Germany (Böllinger Höfe facility). The battery-electric vehicle (BEV) has been on sale on since March 2021. The RS e-tron GT is a more sporty version of the e-tron GT.
If you are seeking high performance zero-emission electric driving, few models can deliver as well as the pure electric Audi RS e-tron GT coupé styled saloon. The electric vehicle (EV) can achieve 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds. Impressive nevertheless, but more so given the weight of the electric vehicle, to include the onboard EV battery (2,276 kg).
The EV has a top speed up to 250 km/h, and can deliver up to 830 Nm torque. Do keep in mind that one of the benefits of electric driving is the access to instant torque! All-wheel drive is available as standard for this EV.
The RS e-tron GT Saloon also offers an impressive pure electric range. The electric car has a 93.4 kWh (800-volt lithium-ion) onboard EV battery with a claimed zero-emission electric range up to 465 km (WLTP). Bottom-line enough EV range for most driving needs, to include, longer distance trips on the motorway. The electric car also benefits from regenerative braking. Do keep in mind that the real-world EV range will be lower than the claimed range, impacted by a number of factors, to include speed.
The EV offers DC charging capability up to 270 kW (5% to 80%: 23 minutes). Put another way: for every 5 minutes of DC charging, the range available increases by 100 km. For those fortunate enough to have three-phase power supply at home, the EV can be fully charged in 9 hours and 30 minutes.
For the rest of us with single-phase power supply, it will take 13 hours 30 minutes to fully charge the EV. We at e-zoomed encourage charging an electric car overnight, when the tariff rates are cheaper. We also encourage using green energy for EV charging.
In terms of practicality, let’s be honest, you are not buying this EV for its interior cabin space or boot space. Having said that, the four-door interior cabin space is what you would expect from a high performance car, and the boot space on offer is 350 L.
Of course, given the premium price tag, the interior quality, technology and equipment level is very good, to include: Audi pre-sense front, parking system plus, cruise control with speed limiter, reversing camera, lane departure warning and more.
For an additional payment, one can also get the Head-up Display. Also as standard are the: MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch (12.3” virtual cockpit display or the central 10.1” MMI touch display), Audi smartphone interface, Audi phone box with wireless charging etc.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
PROS | CONS |
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Fast (0-62 mph: 3.3 seconds) | Expensive. Cheaper EV saloons available in the market |
DC charging up to 270 kW | Limited rear-view visibility and rear headroom |
Large EV battery and good pure electric range | Small boot |
The All-Electric Audi RS e-tron GT Saloon (credit: Audi)
At A Glance | |
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EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
Body Type: | Saloon |
Engine: | Electric |
Available In Ireland: | Yes |
Variants (1 Option) |
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Audi RS e-tron GT quattro (from € 142,430) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
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EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 93.4 kWh |
Charging: | 270 kW DC charging (5%-80%: 23 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0% – 100%: 9 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 | |
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Height (mm): | 1396 |
Width (mm): | 2158 |
Length (mm): | 4989 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2900 |
Turning Circle (m): | 11.6 |
Boot Space (L): | 405 |
RS e-tron GT | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 93.4 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 465 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 21.5 |
Charging: | 270 kW DC charging (5%-80%: 23 mins). Onboard charger: 11 kW AC (0% – 100%: 9 hrs 30 mins) |
Top Speed: | 250 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 3.3 seconds |
Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 475 (with boost) |
Max Power (PS): | 646 (with boost) |
Torque (Nm): | 830 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 4 |
Doors: | 4 |
Unladen Weight (kg): | 2,276 |
Colours: | 8 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
Air Quality: An Overview
If there is one common theme that unites many of us, it is the concern over worsening air quality in our villages, towns and cities. This concern is not unique to Ireland, but a narrative that is now firmly centre stage globally. The detrimental health consequences of higher pollution, in particular, on the vulnerable, like children and the elderly is significant, and well documented.
According to the WHO (World Health Organisation), the PM2.5 concentration in Ireland is currently 1.6 times higher than the WHO annual air quality guideline value. WHO has described air pollution as the ‘single biggest environmental health risk’, leading to an increase in the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.
Electric vehicles and in particular, zero-tailpipe emission EVs, also known as battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), help improve local air quality i.e. a pure electric car does not have a tailpipe/ exhaust, hence, zero-tailpipe emissions! Without an iota of doubt, all types of EVs, to include, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are better for improving air quality, compared to conventional petrol and diesel vehicles. We encourage all drivers in Ireland to migrate to lower emission electric driving.
Type Of Pollutants |
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Particulate matter (PM or PM 2.5) |
Ammonia (NH3) |
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) |
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) |
Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCS) |
Primary Sources Of Pollutants |
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Road transportation |
Industrial processes |
Farming and agricultural processes |
Waste industry |
Energy generation |
Domestic burning |
Other forms of transportation, such as aviation, shipping and railroads |
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