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 BMW 5 Series Touring PHEV Estate
turers a number of cars under its BMW brand, to include battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The company currently has the following portfolio of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
- BMW 2 Series Active Tourer PHEV
- BMW 3 Series Saloon PHEV
- BMW 3 Series Touring PHEV
- BMW 5 Series Saloon PHEV
- BMW 5 Series Touring PHEV
- BMW 7 Series PHEV
- BMW X1 PHEV
- BMW X2 PHEV
- BMW X3 PHEV
- BMW X5 PHEV
The BMW 5 Series is currently on its seventh-generation, to include the BMW 530e plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). The BMW 5 Series has been manufactured since 1972. The BMW PHEV is available both as a rear-wheel drive (RWD) and an all-wheel drive (AWD).
Though automotive manufacturers like BMW, have been busy upgrading their model portfolios, to include plug-in hybrids, in general, the number of available estate plug-in electric cars, still remains limited, in particular, in the premium-priced segment. Therefore, the BMW 530e plug-in estate electric car is certainly worth the consideration.
The BMW Touring plug-in hybrid, has much is common with the BMW 530e saloon PHEV, albeit the estate is more practical and family-friendly, despite the reduced boot size (430 L) due to the placement on the EV battery. Both EVs have a similar battery size and drivetrain.
The estate PHEV has a 11.15 kWh onboard EV battery, with a fuel-free zero-tailpipe emission range up to 56 km (WLTP). Of course, do keep in mind that the real-world EV range will be lower than the WLTP certified range, and assuming a 50 km pure electric range is more realistic.
The real-world range will impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, passenger and cargo load, speed, regenerative braking, onboard services used, road conditions and of course the weather! However, the Touring PHEV offers ample range to take advantage of the lower cost of driving an electric car. Depending on where and when you charge the EV, the cost of electric driving will be between 5 and 10 cents per km. Far cheaper compared to driving using a petrol or diesel combustion engine.
Also, the best way to enjoy the smoother and silent electric mode, is to make sure that the EV battery is ‘topped-up’ on a regular basis. This also helps with the long-term health and maintenance of the EV battery. BMW offers a 8 years or 160,000 km warranty.
The EV has a 3.7 kW AC onboard charger, which is disappointing, given the price tag. A 7.4 kW onboard charger should have been incorporated as standard. Nevertheless, do take advantage of the faster and safer charging using a dedicated EV charger like Wallbox.
The BMW electric car can be fully charged in 2.5 hours. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for EV charging. Using a domestic plug will take up to 4 hours to charge the EV. The PHEV does not offer fast DC charging compatibility.
The more a PHEV is driven on EV mode, the better is the overall efficiency and fuel economy of the vehicle. BMW claims that the BMW 530e Touring PHEV can deliver 2.1 l/100km. Of course, the real-world fuel consumption will depend on how well you leverage the use of the electric motor/ EV battery. The more, the better!
Like all PHEVs, the pairing of an electric motor with the internal combustion engine (ICE), also helps reduce the tailpipe-emissions for the BMW 5 Series plug-in electric car. The claimed tailpipe-emissions is up to 47 (CO2/km). The lower the emissions, the lower the local air pollution. A win-win for all!
The performance of the BMW 5 Series demonstrates its capability as a good all-rounder. The 5 Series hybrid pairs the BMW 80 kW eDrive (electric drive technology) with a 2.0-litre (four-cylinder) petrol engine. Top speed of the car on electric mode is 140 km/h, sufficient for both urban and rural driving. For motorway driving, the EV can take advantage of the petrol engine propulsion (top speed: 225 km/h).
The EV is reasonably quick, despite the extra weight of the onboard EV battery. It can achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds (maximum power: 292 hp). The EV also benefits from instant torque.
The BMW Touring PHEV has a good quality interior, as would be expected from a premium-badged EV. In terms of technology, the EV includes: BMW head-up display, BMW curved-display, BMW digital key, reversing assistant, BMW intelligent personal assistant and a lot more. Bottom-line the drivers cockpit is modern, intuitive and practical.
Driving the EV on electric mode will result in material financial savings. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Decent driving performance and cheap to run on electric mode | Small EV battery and limited electric range |
| Good exterior design, styling and high quality interior | Higher tailpipe emissions compared to more recent PHEVs |
| One of the few upmarket plug-in estate electric cars | Not as efficient as some newer PHEVs |
Gallery
The BMW 530e Touring Plug-In Hybrid Estate (credit: BMW)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Body Type: | Estate |
| Engine: | Petrol-Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (2 Options) |
|---|
| BMW 530e M Sport Touring (from € 70,385) |
| BMW 530e xDrive M Sport Touring (from € 72,855) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 11.15 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2.5 hrs) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 47 – 35g (CO2/km) |
| Warranty: | 8 years or 160,000 km |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | € 2.10 |
| Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | € 2.78 |
| Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | € 2.87 |
| Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | € 3.14 |
| Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | € 3.37 |
- 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) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1498 |
| Width (mm): | 1868 |
| Length (mm): | 4963 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2975 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.95 |
| Boot capacity (L): | 430 |
| BMW 530e M Sport Touring | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 11.15 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 53 – 56 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 17.9 − 17.1 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 1.8 − 1.6 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2.5 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 225 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.1 seconds |
| Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 80 |
| Max Power (hp): | 292 |
| Torque (Nm): | 300 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 1,975 |
| Colours: | 10 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
| BMW 530e xDrive M Sport Touring | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 11.15 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 49 − 52 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 19.4 − 18.6 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 2.1 − 1.8 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2.5 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 225 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 6.1 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 80 |
| Max Power (hp): | 292 |
| Torque (Nm): | 300 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 2,035 |
| Colours: | 10 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Electric Vehicles (EVs): Top 5 Jargons
There is no doubt, in that, for those new to electric driving, the terminology can be both daunting and confusing. We have chosen the top 5 jargons to help you get more familiar with electric vehicles (EVs)!
| Top 5 Jargons : Electric Vehicles (EVs) | |
|---|---|
| EV (Electric Vehicle) | An EV is any vehicle that uses ‘electricity’ or an ‘electric motor’ to power the vehicle. The electric motor derives its power from a rechargeable battery or batteries. In general, EVs are less dependent on petrol or diesel as fuel, and in the case of pure electric cars, not dependent at all, on petrol/diesel for propulsion. EVs encompass all types of electric vehicles, to include Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), Extended Range Electric Vehicles (E-REVs) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). |
| Regenerative Braking | Driving at all times requires braking. However, on more densely populated roads, the frequency and intensity of braking increases, reducing the efficiency of the vehicle. Regenerative braking is the process of capturing energy, otherwise wasted during braking. According to the rules of physics, energy cannot be destroyed, instead it simply transfers from one state to another. The same principle applies to braking. The kinetic energy that propels a car forward is usually displaced or wasted as heat. Regenerative braking captures this kinetic energy, that in turn recharges an onboard EV battery, increasing both efficiency and electric range. Electric cars like Toyota Prius PHEV, Jaguar I-PACE BEV and Tesla Model 3 BEV use regenerative braking to increase efficiency and electric range. |
| Torque | Torque (Nm) is the measure of the force that can cause an object to rotate about an axis. Torque is a key factor in determining acceleration of a vehicle and is defined as the engines rotational speed. Torque is most commonly defined as the force required to twist an object. For example, a wrench being used. The heavier a car, the more important is the role of torque i.e. the vehicle needs more rotational force to help it accelerate faster. |
| WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) | In a bid to continue to improve the quality of data released by automotive manufacturers (OEMs), on efficiency, range and CO2 emissions, Europe has introduced the WLTP testing procedure. WLTP is seen as a significant improvement over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) testing standard designed in the 1980s. In general, WLTP data is more realistic compared to NEDC! WLTP has been developed with the aim of becoming a global standard, so that cars can be easily compared between regions. However, real world driving data will still differ from WLTP data. As an example, the real world electric range of an electric car can be significantly lower than the stated WLTP range, depending on driving style, driving conditions, weather, onboard services used and more! |
| ULEVs (Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles) | An ultra low emission vehicle is any vehicle that emits less than 75g of CO2/km and is capable of operating with zero-tailpipe emissions for at least 10 miles. In general, ULEVs release emissions that are at least 50% lower than petrol and diesel cars, by using low carbon technologies. ULEVs include all types of electric vehicles: BEVs, PHEVs, E-REVs etc. and are a key solution in improving air quality. There are currently numerous ULEVs available, to include e-cars, e-vans, e-motorcycles, e-mopeds and e-taxis. Examples include: Nissan Leaf, BMW i3, MINI Countryman PHEV and Renault Kangoo ZE. |
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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