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 Peugeot 508 PHEV Saloon
Peugeot is part of the Netherlands based Stellantis N.V., which was formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Italian/ American) and Groupe PSA (French). You may not be familiar with these names, but the automotive brands in the portfolio would be well known to most consumers. These include: Maserati, Opel, Vauxhall, Jeep, FIAT, Alfa Romeo etc.
Peugeot was founded in 1810 in Eastern France (Sochaux), and has a rich heritage in motor racing and the broader automotive sector. Peugeot has won many awards for its passenger cars, to include, six European Car of the Year awards. As part of the broader Groupe PSA, Peugeot is very committed to the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The company’s portfolio of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) i.e. pure electric vehicles, include:
- The all-electric Peugeot e-2008
- The all-electric Peugeot e-208
- Peugeot 308 PHEV
- Peugeot 308 SW PHEV
- Peugeot 408 PHEV
- Peugeot 3008 PHEV
- Peugeot 508 PHEV
- Peugeot 508 SW PHEV
- The all-electric Peugeot e-Rifter
- Peugeot e-Traveller PHEV
The Peugeot 508 family saloon car has been manufactured since 2010. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant was released in 2019.
The mid-sized executive saloon car segment has always been competitive, but as global automotive manufacturers (OEMs) race to introduce environmentally-friendly plug-in electric cars, the competition has become even more fierce for this segment. The mid-sized Peugeot 508 Fastback PHEV has a compelling proposition for both company and private car owners, and is well placed in this competitive landscape.
For a start, the price positioning of the 508 saloon plug-in hybrid is more accessible, compared to some of the more premium brands. Despite the lower price, the automotive manufacturer has been able to deliver a saloon with a fantastic exterior styling and a good level of standard equipment i.e. value for money.
As is the case with electric driving, leveraging the e-mode in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, helps lower the cost of motoring. Depending on where the EV is charged and the cost of charging, driving an EV, costs between 5 to 10 cents per km i.e. substantially lower, compared to using the internal combustion engine (ICE).
The Peugeot 508 plug-in electric car has a 11.8 kWh onboard EV battery, with a claimed zero-emission electric range up to 62 km (WLTP certified). However, the real-world EV range will be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, passenger load, weather and road condition etc.
Assuming a 55 km emission-free electric range is more realistic, which will be sufficient for most shorter commutes (school-runs, grocery store, high street, gym etc). The EV also has regenerative braking to increase the electric range.
If your driving is predominantly motorway and long-distances, it would be a challenge to leverage the benefits of zero-tailpipe emission electric driving with this PHEV. However, if the majority of your travel is shorter distances, then the e-mode will certainly prove to be useful in saving money.
Peugeot claims a fuel economy up to 1.4 l/100km, but achieving this will require using the onboard electric motor, powered by the EV battery on a regular basis. As is the case with the real-world electric range, expect the real-world fuel economy to be lower than the manufacturer claimed figures.
The Peugeot 508 HYBRID 225 e-EAT8 pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor (80kW), delivering a maximum combined 225 HP and 266 Nm torque. The electric car can achieve 0-100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. The top speed of the EV is 240 km/h (135 km/h on pure electric mode). Certainly suitable for city and motorway driving.
There is also the option of a higher performance Peugeot 508 PHEV i.e. with a Hybrid 360 e-EAT8 4WD (Peugeot Sport Engineered). This EV delivers a combined output up to 355 HP and 384 Nm. It can achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. Of course, for the higher performance, the EV range has to be compromised and this variant has a claimed electric range up to 45 km. The PHEV offers 5 driving modes, to include: electric, 4WD, sport, hybrid and comfort.
Like the other Peugeots PHEVs, the 508 plug-in hybrid also uses the EMP2 platform. The EV has three driving modes: hybrid, electric and sport. Of course, using the sport mode will reduce the fuel economy of the PHEV.
The electric vehicle (EV) can be fully charged in 1 hour and 45 minutes (7 kW onboard charger) via a dedicated EV home charging station like easee. The manufacturer offers a 3.7 kW onboard charger as standard, but offers the option to upgrade to a 7 kW onboard charger, at an additional cost. Charging time using a 3.7 kW onboard charger will be up to 4 hours. The EV does not offer fast DC charging capability.
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 smartphone. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for charging an electric car.
A ‘topping up’ approach to charging will help improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle and also improve the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Peugeot offers a warranty up to 8 years or 160,000 km for the battery (70% of original capacity).
The interior quality is high and the manufacturer offers a good level of standard technology and features, to include: driver assist pack, lane keeping assist, speed limit recognition, blind spot detection, driver attention warning, 12.3″ touchscreen with 3D navigation and more. The PHEV has been awarded a Five-Stars NCAP safety rating.
The Peugeot 508 PHEV has low tailpipe emissions (38 g CO2/km). Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
PROS | CONS |
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A more affordable and good looking saloon PHEV | Standard on board charger only 3.7 kW (option to upgrade to 7.2 kW at additional cost) |
Practical and comfortable to drive | Limited electric driving range for the higher performance variant |
Good level of equipment as standard | Interior space limited compared to alternatives |
The Peugeot 508 PHEV Saloon (credit: Peugeot)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
Vehicle Type: | Saloon |
Engine: | Petrol-Electric: HYBRID2 PHEV 225bhp/ HYBRID4 360bhp |
Available In Ireland: | Yes |
Variants (3 Options) |
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Peugeot 508 Allure Pack (from € 49,580): HYBRID2 PHEV 225bhp |
Peugeot 508 GT (from € 51,875): HYBRID2 PHEV 225bhp |
Peugeot 508 PSE (from € 73,295): HYBRID4 360bhp |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
---|---|
EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 11.5 kWh |
Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.7 kW standard (0% – 100%: 4 hrs). 7.4 kW AC optional (0% – 100%: 2 hrs) |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 30g – 38g (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 | |
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Height (mm): | 1403 |
Width (mm): | 1859 |
Length (mm): | 4750 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2793 |
Turning Circle (m): | N/A |
Cargo Volume (L): | 487 |
Peugeot 508 (HYBRID 225 e-EAT8) | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 11.5 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 56 – 62 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | N/A |
Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 1.4 – 1.3 |
Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.7 kW standard (0% – 100%: 4 hrs). 7.4 kW AC optional (0% – 100%: 2 hrs) |
Top Speed: | 240 km/h (electric: 135 km/h) |
0-100 km/h: | 8.3 seconds |
Drive: | Front-wheel Drive (FWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 81 |
Max Power (hp): | 180 |
Torque (Nm): | 250 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 4 |
Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,720 |
Colours: | 6 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
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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