Electric Cars: The Basics
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The All-Electric BMW i4 Gran Coupe
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
The BMW i4, is the first all-electric Gran Coupe. The electric vehicle (EV) is based on the iVision Dynamics concept that made its debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The i4 is an electrified powertrain of the 4-series and looks similar to the 4-series Gran Coupe. It is slotted between the BMW i3 hatchback and the BMW i8 sports. The battery-electric vehicle (BEV) is assembled in Munich (Germany) and is the first all-electric saloon for BMW. The i4 includes the fifth generation BMW eDrive Technology.
The pure electric BMW i4 also includes lightweight carbon-fibre construction, which is currently featured in the all-electric BMW i3 and the BMW i8 EV. BMW is deploying a ‘flexible vehicle architecture’ that will be used by both internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs). The design has also been inspired by the BMW iNext SUV concept unveiled at the 2018 Frankfurt Motor Show. The BMW i4 is also the first fully-electric Gran Coupé.
The BMW i4 EV is available in one EV battery size: 80.7 kWh, and has a claimed pure electric range up to 588 km for the entry-level eDrive40 Sport variant. For the higher performance i4 M50 variant, the claimed range is up to 512 km. The EV battery size and zero-emission electric range is similar to many of the more recent introductions of pure electric cars i.e. there is a trend of increasing EV battery size and longer electric range.
Of course, the real-world EV range will be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: speed, driving profile, regen braking profile, weather conditions, road conditions, tyre size, onboard services used, payload and more. For the entry-level BMW i4 eDrive40 expect a real-world electric range closer to 500 km and for the top of the range BMW i4 M50, expect an e-range closer to 435 km.
We at e-zoomed recommend a ‘topping up’ approach to charging an electric car. This way, there is always range readily available and moreover, a topping up approach reduces the amount of time required to charge. The electric vehicle (EV) can be DC charged up to 205 kW and can achieve a 10%-80% in 31 minutes.
All variants incorporate a 11 kW (3-phase) onboard charger, which can fully charge the EV in 8 hours and 25 minutes. However, given that most homes in Ireland are restricted to single-phase power supply, expect the EV to take up to 13 hours for a full charge.
The BMW i4 electric car does not disappoint on performance. The range topping all-wheel drive BMW i4 M50 achieves 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Impressive, given the additional weight of the onboard EV battery. The total unladen weight of the electric car is 2,290 kg. The M50 delivers a maximum power up to 544 hp (max torque: 795 Nm) and has a 225 km/h top speed. The other two variants (eDrive40 Sport and eDrive40 M Sport) are available as real-wheel drive and can achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds (top speed: 190 km/h).
Though the electric car has much to offer in terms of exterior styling and interior quality, do not expect much in terms of practicality. The sloping roofline does impact the headroom for rear seat passengers, in particular, for taller adults. Legroom can also be a little tight. But again, one is not really buying this car for practicality. It is the performance that matters, and the EV delivers. Having said that, the boot space on offer is still respectable (470 L).
The i4 is certainly a good looking car, further enhanced by the coupé styling. The vertically aligned front kidney supplies the EV with real-time data via sensors and camera, to enhance the driver assistance onboard technology. The BMW i4 has a driver-oriented cockpit and offers the BMW curved display (12.3″ instrument cluster and 14.9″ control display. The BMW i4 electric car is manufactured using ‘sustainable and green energy’.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| An attractive exterior coupé styling | Cheaper alternatives available |
| Decent EV battery size and emission-free e-range | Rear-headroom impacted by roofline. Rear visibility: blind spots |
| DC charging up to 205 kW. Three-phase (11 kW) onboard charger as standard | All-wheel drive only available on the top trim |
Gallery
The All-Electric BMW i4 Gran Coupe (credit: BMW)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Body Type: | Gran Coupe |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (2 Options) |
|---|
| BMW i4 eDrive35 Sport (from € 61,335) |
| BMW i4 eDrive40 Sport (from € 71,045) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 80.7 kWh |
| Charging: | 205 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 31 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) |
| 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): | 1448 |
| Width (mm): | 1852 |
| Length (mm): | 4783 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2856 |
| Turning Circle (m): | N/A |
| Boot Capacity (L): | 470 |
| BMW i4 eDrive40 Sport | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 80.7 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 588 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 16.1 − 19.1 |
| Charging: | 205 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 31 minutes). Onboard charger: 11 kW (0%-100%: 8 hrs and 25 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 190 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 5.7 seconds |
| Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 250 |
| Max Power (hp): | 340 |
| Torque (Nm): | 430 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 2,125 |
| Colours: | 6 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
| BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 80.7 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 566 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 16.1 − 19.1 |
| Charging: | 205 kW DC charging (10-80%: 31 minutes). Onboard charger: 11 kW (0%-100%: 8 hrs and 25 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 190 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 5.7 seconds |
| Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 250 |
| Max Power (hp): | 340 |
| Torque (Nm): | 430 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 2,125 |
| Colours: | 6 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
| BMW i4 M50 | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 80.7 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 512 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 18.0 − 22.5 |
| Charging: | 205 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 31 minutes). Onboard charger: 11 kW (0%-100%: 8 hrs and 25 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 225 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 3.9 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 400 |
| Max Power (hp): | 544 |
| Torque (Nm): | 795 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 2,290 |
| Colours: | 6 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
Longest Range Plug-In Hybrid Electric Cars: Top 5
The continued improvement in the development of electric cars is not limited to only pure electric cars, also known as battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). In fact, we have also witnessed improvements for the latest-generation of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). In particular, increased range and lower emissions.
In the list below of longest-range PHEVs, all EVs have a claimed WLTP e-range over 100 km. Leading the pack is the Range Rover Sport Plug-In Hybrid with an emission-free electric range up to 114 km. In regards to tailpipe emissions, Mercedes PHEVs top the list with tailpipe emissions as low as 13g (CO2/km), significantly lower compared to the conventional petrol or diesel variants!
Though historically, plug-in hybrids have played an important role in the migration from conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol and diesel vehicles to all-electric cars, given the significant improvement in the e-range of pure electric cars, the role of PHEVs has reduced in importance. We can expect this trend to continue, as automotive manufacturers focus on developing and delivering pure electric cars. We at e-zoomed expect plug-in hybrid cars to become redundant in due course.
In general, we recommend buying a pure electric car, however, with those with very limited access to EV charging infrastructure and need to drive long distance on a regular basis, to consider a PHEV. Do keep in mind, for most families, day-to-day driving needs are limited to short journeys i.e. school runs, grocery store, gym, work, high street etc. Most of the latest-generation of pure electric cars can meet this need!
| Brand/ Model | Battery Size (kWh) | Electric Range (WLTP) | Tailpipe Emissions (CO2/km) | Body Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz C Class Plug-In Hybrid | 25.4 kWh | 104 km | 13g (CO2/km) | Estate |
| Mercedes-Benz C Class Plug-In Hybrid | 25.4 kWh | 110 km | 13g (CO2/km) | Saloon |
| Mercedes-Benz S Class Plug-In Hybrid | 28.6 kWh | 101 km | 19g (CO2/km) | Saloon |
| Range Rover Sport Plug-In Hybrid | 38.2 kWh | 114 km | 20 – 18g (CO2/km) | SUV |
| Range Rover Plug-In Hybrid | 38.2 kWh | 112 km | 21 – 18g (CO2/km) | SUV |
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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