Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
Different Type Of Electric Vehicles (EVs): An Introduction
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The All-Electric MG 4 EV Hatchback
MG Motor UK Limited (MG Motor), is a UK headquartered British automotive manufacturer, now owned by the Chinese automotive company, SAIC Motor (December 2007). SAIC is owned by the Chinese government and headquartered in Shanghai. MG was owned by MG Rover up to 2005, before the collapse of the company. The history of the company can be traced back to 1924 to its founding in Oxford (UK). MG was founded by Cecil Kimber, a motor car designer. The automotive company currently has the following battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
- All-electric MG ZS EV
- All-electric MG4 EV
- All-electric MG5 EV
- All-electric MG Cyberster
- MG HS Plug-In Hybrid
The pure electric MG4 EV was released in China in June 2022, and in Europe in July 2022. The EV is built on the SAIC’s battery electric Modular Scalable Platform. It is the first all-electric hatchback car from MG. For families and company-car drivers keen to migrate to affordable zero-emission electric driving, the MG4 EV is worth consideration.
The MG4 EV is available in two EV battery sizes: 51 kWh and 64 kWh (Long Range). The choice of two EV battery sizes increases the potential customer base, as not every EV driver needs a large onboard EV battery and long electric range. Both battery sizes offer a useful and practical pure electric range.
The 51 kWh has a range up to 350 km (WLTP), while the 64 kWh offers a range up to 450 km (WLTP). Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, both options remain useful! For the 51 kWh expect a real-world emission-free e-range closer to 320 km, while for the larger battery, 410 km will be more realistic.
The MG4 EV electric car incorporates a single-phase (7 KW AC) onboard charger. More than adequate for EV home charging in Ireland, given that the majority of homes have single-phase power supply. The 51 kWh EV can be fully charged in 7 hours and 30 minutes using a dedicated residential EV charger like zappi. The MG4 EV Long Range can be full charged in 9 hours.
We at e-zoomed recommend charging overnight when the electricity prices are lower. We also recommend charging on a regular basis. This way charging times are reduced and regular charging is good for the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. MG offers a 7 years or 160,000 km warranty.
The MG 4 EV also offers DC charging capability. Using a 150 kW DC rapid charger, the 51 kWh EV can be charged from 10%-80% in 39 minutes. The 64 kWh can be charged up to 80% in 35 minutes. Of course, a 50 kW DC charger will be slower: the 51 kWh can be charged up to 80% in 52 minutes, while the Long Range battery will take 60 minutes.
MG offers a host of safety features (MG Pilot Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and technology, to include: active emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, lane keep assist with lane departure warning system, traffic jam assist, intelligent speed limit assist, blind spot detection with lane change assist, 10.25″ colour touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 360° parking camera and more. The available boot space is 363 L.
In terms of performance, the rear-wheel drive MG4 EV achieves 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds for the standard EV battery. The Long Range is a little slower and achieves 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds. The EV delivers a maximum power up to 203 PS (torque: 250 Nm). The top speed is 160 km/h.
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| An affordable family electric car | Driving performance will not set the heart racing |
| Available in two EV battery sizes | Interior materials not premium |
| Decent pure electric range. DC charging up to 150 kW | Small boot |
Gallery
The All-Electric MG4 EV Hatchback (credit: MG)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Vehicle Type: | Hatchback |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (3 Options) |
|---|
| MG4 EV Excite Standard Range (from € 27,495): 51 kWh |
| MG4 EV Excite Long Range (from € 30,995): 64 kWh |
| MG4 EV Exclusive Long Range (from € 34,495): 64 kWh |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in two battery sizes: 51 kWh/64 kWh |
| Charging: | 150 kW Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 39 mins). Onboard charger: 7 kW AC (0%-100%: 7 hrs 30 mins) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
| Battery Warranty: | 7 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): | 1504 |
| Width (mm): | 2060 |
| Length (mm): | 4287 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2705 |
| Turning Circle (m): | N/A |
| Boot Capacity (L): | 363 |
| MG4 EV | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 51 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 350 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 17.0 |
| Charging: | 150 kW Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 39 mins). Onboard charger: 7 kW AC (0%-100%: 7 hrs 30 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 160 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 7.7 seconds |
| Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 125 |
| Horsepower (PS): | 170 |
| Torque (Nm): | 250 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,655 |
| Colours: | 4 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
| MG4 EV | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 64 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 435 – 450 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 16.0 – 16.6 |
| Charging: | 150 kW Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 35 mins). Onboard charger: 7 kW AC (0%-100%: 9 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 160 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 7.9 seconds |
| Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 150 |
| Horsepower (PS): | 203 |
| Torque (Nm): | 250 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,685 |
| Colours: | 5 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
History Of Electric Cars: Quick Facts
| An electric vehicle (EV), also referred to as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) is not a new invention or even an invention of modern times. Indeed, EVs were first developed more than a 100 years ago in the 19th century. Inventors from various countries, to include European countries and the United States, were the first to invest in electric motors and batteries. The first practical electric cars were built in the second half of the nineteenth century, with the first US electric car introduced in 1890. |
| Electric vehicles came into prominence in the early 1900’s, a time when horse-drawn carriages were the primary mode of transportation. Archived black and white photographs from that period show famous avenues like Madison Avenue in New York city filled with horse-drawn carriages. In stark contrast, a similar photograph taken a decade later of Madison Avenue showed not a single horse-drawn carriage. Instead the avenue was filled with motor vehicles, a new invention. It was the beginning of man’s love affair with cars that has lasted more than a century and still going strong. |
| However, the uptake of electric vehicles in the early 20th century was short-lived, as gasoline powered vehicles propelled by internal combustion engines (ICE) become the preferred mode of transportation. Bottom-line, manufactures chose internal combustion engines over electric cars in the early 1900s for various reasons, to include, the costs and production volumes. |
| It is not definitive as to where EVs were invented or to credit a single inventor. However, one known electric motor (small-scale) was created in 1828 by Anyos Jedlik, a Hungarian inventor, engineer, physicist and Benedictine priest. Hungarians and Slovaks still consider him to be the unsung hero of the electric motor. |
| Shortly after, between 1832 and 1839, a Scottish inventor Robert Anderson created a large electric motor to drive a carriage, powered by non-rechargeable primary power cells. Through the 19th century a number of inventors were inspired to develop electric motors to include, Thomas Davenport, an American from Vermont credited with building the first DC electric motor in America (1834). Unlike many of his contemporaries and other trying to build electric motors, Davenport did not have a background in either engineering or physics. In fact, he was a blacksmith. |
| Move forward a few decades and at the end of the 19th century, William Morrison created what is believed to be the first practical electric vehicle. Morrison, another American from Des Moines, Iowa, was a chemist who became interested in electricity. He build the first electric vehicle in 1887 in a carriage built by the Des Moines Buggy Co. His first attempt was not a great success. In 1890, he attempted again, with more success. 12 EVs were built using a carriage built by the Shaver Carriage Company. |
| The batteries were designed and developed by William Morrison. The vehicle had 24 batteries with an output of 112 amperes at 58 volts that took 10 hours to recharge. Available horsepower just under 4 horsepower. The vehicle could accommodate 6 individuals and had a top speed of 14 mph (22.50 km/h). |
| Morrison’s success led to others also developing large-scale practical electric cars. At the turn of the century cities like New York had 60 electric taxis. The first decade witnessed strong popularity for electric vehicles. However the popularity was short-lived as internal combustion engine (ICE) gasoline powered vehicles replaced the early electric vehicles. Henry Fords success with the then ubiquitous Ford Model T was the ‘beginning of the end’ for electric vehicles. The Model T was cheaper than the prevailing electric cars (US$ 650 Vs US$ 1,750) and could be manufactured at scale. As they say — the rest is history. |
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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