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 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV SUV
The Hyundai Motor Company, usually referred to simply as Hyundai, is a leading South Korean automotive manufacturer headquartered in Seoul. The company was founded in 1967, with its first model, the Cortina (in collaboration with Ford Motor Company), launched in 1968. The Cortina was assembled in the Ulsan plant in South Korea. Hyundai has come a long way since then, and currently owns a 33.88% stake in Kia Corporation, and also wholly owns the luxury automotive brand, Genesis, among others.
Hyundai has an annual production capacity of over 1.6 million units, making the automotive manufacturer the third-largest in terms of production behind the Japanese automotive manufacturer, Toyota and the German automotive group, Volkswagen. Hyundai has production facilities across a number of global locations. Some of these include: North America, India, Russia, Turkey, China and the Czech republic. Hyundai vehicles are sold in nearly 200 countries globally. The company currently has the following battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
- All-electric Hyundai IONIQ
- All-electric Hyundai Kona
- All-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5
- All-electric Hyundai IONIQ 6
- All-electric Hyundai Inster
- Hyundai IONIQ Plug-In Hybrid
- Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid
- Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The Hyundai Santa Fe sport utility vehicle (SUV) has been available since 2000. The 7-seater SUV is named after Santa Fe, the city is New Mexico, USA. It is the first SUV from Hyundai. Since its launch the Santa Fe SUV has been very popular with consumers, in particular, in the north American markets. The 2021 model year received a facelift.
For larger families or company car drivers that need more passenger seats, the 7-seater Hyundai Santa Fe plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is an option worth serious consideration. Moreover, despite the increase in the availability of electric vehicles (EVs), the availability of seven-seater electric cars still remains limited.
The Santa Fe PHEV pairs a 1.6-litre T-GDi ‘SmartStream’ turbocharged petrol engine with a 66.9 kW electric motor, powered by an onboard EV battery. The automotive manufacturer claims a fuel economy up to 1,6 l/100 km for the electric vehicle (EV).
Of course the real-world fuel economy will depend on a number of factors, but none as influential as using the e-mode. Bottom-line, to increase the fuel economy of the vehicle and lower the driving costs, the PHEV should be driven as much as possible on the electric mode.
Given the WLTP certified emission-free range is 58 km, and most commutes are short, there is much scope for taking advantage of electric driving to save money. The PHEV has a 13.8 kWh onboard EV battery, which is reasonably standard for a PHEV of this size.
However, expect the real-world electric range to be closer to 53 km. The EV range is impacted by a number of factors, to include, driving profile, speed, load, regenerative braking, road condition, weather and a lot more.
Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which again is as easy as charging a smart phone. We at e-zoomed recommend the use of a dedicated EV charging station, like easee to charge the EV.
We do not encourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug. Charging the EV using a single-phase EV charger will take up to two hours. Of course, if you top up on a regular basis, the charging time will be faster. The EV incorporates a 3.3 kW AC onboard charger.
In terms of practicality, the Hyundai EV has much to offer. The interior seven-seater cabin is spacious, with ample headroom and legroom for front and rear seat passengers, to include the third row (access to the third row is easy). The driver seat benefits from good visibility and the driver cockpit is well designed. Despite the placement of the onboard EV battery, the boot space is decent (571 L), though a little smaller than the petrol variant. The interior quality feels premium and the standard level of technology is decent.
The EV is packed with a host of driving assistance and safety features, to include: highway drive assist (HDA), forward collision-avoidance assist, remote smart park assist, blind spot view monitor and more. The EV has been awarded a Five-Star NCAP Safety Rating.
The performance of the electric SUV is decent. The all-wheel drive Santa Fe PHEV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, also benefiting from instant torque. The drivetrain delivers a maximum power of 265 PS (torque 350 Nm), sufficient for city and motorway driving.
The Santa-Fe plug-in hybrid has reduced tailpipe emissions (37g CO2/km) compared to the conventional petrol variant (159g CO2/km). Bottom-line, the PHEV is good for the wallet and the environment!
PROS | CONS |
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A practical 7 seater PHEV | Cheaper alternatives available |
Spacious interiors | Electric range limited |
Easy and comfortable to drive | Not the most exciting exterior design |
The Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV SUV (credit: Hyundai)
At A Glance | |
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EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
Vehicle Type: | SUV |
Engine: | Petrol/ Electric (1.6 TGDi PHEV) |
Available In Ireland: | Yes |
Variants (2 Options) |
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Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid (from € 56,445) |
Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Premium (from € 60,445) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
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EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 13.8 kWh |
Charging: | DC charging not available. On board AC charger: 3.3 kW AC |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 37g (CO2/km) |
Battery 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) | |
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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 | |
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Height (mm): | 1703 |
Width (mm): | 1900 |
Length (mm): | 4785 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2765 |
Turning Circle (m): | 11,4 |
Boot Space (L): | 571 |
1.6 265PS Petrol 4WD | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 13.8 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 58 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | N/A |
Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 1.6 |
Charging: | DC charging not available. On board AC charger: 3.3 kW AC |
Top Speed: | 187 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 8.8 seconds |
Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 66.9 |
Max Power (PS): | 194.9 |
Torque (Nm): | 304 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 7 |
Doors: | 5 |
Kerb Weight (kg): | 2,005 – 2,112 |
Colours: | 7 |
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) | |
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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. |
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