Electric Cars: The Basics
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The Porsche Panamera Plug-In Hybrid Saloon
Stuttgart based Porsche is known for high-performance cars and is currently owned by the Volkswagen Group. Porsche has always had a close relationship with the Volkswagen Group, because the iconic VW Beetle was designed by Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of Porsche.
Apart from this, both VW and Porsche have collaborated on a number of platforms, to include, the Porsche Cayenne SUV. In 2010, Porsche launched the Cayenne S Hybrid and also developed an electric prototype of the Porsche Boxster, called in the Boxster E (2011). The luxury automotive manufacturer currently has the following electric vehicles (EVs) in its portfolio:
- The all-electric Porsche Taycan
- The Panamera E plug-in hybrid
- The Cayenne E plug-in hybrid
The Porsche Panamera luxury saloon was unveiled in 2009 at the Auto Shanghai International Automobile Show. Production began the same year in Germany and the Panamera continues to be manufactured in the country. The hybrid variant was launched in 2011, and the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant released in 2013. The PHEV was unveiled at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show. The luxurious Panamera is available as a saloon and estate (Sport Turismo) body style plug-in hybrid. This article covers the saloon PHEV.
Porsche cars do not come cheap, however, with the incorporation of an electric motor and an onboard EV charger, the cost of motoring can be reduced by leveraging the benefits of zero-tailpipe emission electric driving. Driving an EV, costs between 5 and 10 cents per km i.e. substantially lower, compared to using the internal combustion engine (ICE).
The Panamera saloon plug-in hybrid has a 17.9 kWh onboard EV battery with an electric range up to 56 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 45 – 50 km emission-free electric range is more realistic, which will be sufficient for most shorter commutes. 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 (work, school-runs, grocery store, high street etc), then the e-mode will certainly prove to be useful in saving money.
Porsche claims a fuel economy up to 2.5 l/100 km, 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 pure electric range, expect the real-world fuel economy to be less efficient than the manufacturer claimed figures.
The Panamera saloon PHEV is not capable of DC charging, which given the price tag is a pity. Of course, not all plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are DC charging compatible, but a number of PHEVs do offer DC charging capability. Also surprisingly, not all Panamera PHEVs come with a 7.2 kW onboard charger as standard i.e. only the more expensive trims. Again, this is disappointing given the price tag.
The entry-level models have a 3.6 kW onboard charger (0% – 100%: 4 hours). For the upgraded 7.2 kW onboard charger, a full charge will take 2 hours. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN socket for charging an electric car. The best way to charge an EV at home, is via a dedicated home EV charging station like easee, faster and safer for EV charging! Porsche offers a warranty up to 8 years or 160,000 km.
In terms of driving performance, the Panamera PHEV is what you would expect from a high-end premium automotive brand like Porsche. It simply does not disappoint. The Panamera electric car combines a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor (100 kW), delivering a 462 PS combined output and 700 Nm maximum torque. The all-wheel drive Panamera PHEV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, with a 280 km/h top speed (pure electric mode: 140 km/h).
The electric vehicle (EV) is without an iota of doubt, stunning in design, style and interior quality. The PHEV offers a high level of driver assist features (park assist, lane keeping assist etc) and is technology-laden. Though a conventional saloon has more space to offer, despite the placement of the onboard EV battery, practicality is reasonable. The PHEV offers a boot space up to 403 L.
The Panamera PHEV tailpipe emissions are low (45 – 57g CO2/km), compared to the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant (302g CO2/km ). Bottom-line, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is good for the environment (air quality) and wallet.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Fantastic looking, stylish and high cabin quality | Expensive. Cheaper PHEV alternatives available |
| Powerful, fast and exhilarating performance | Not capable of DC charging. 7.2 kW onboard charger does not come as standard |
| Luxurious, comfortable & fun to drive | Alternative PHEVs can offer more attractive fuel economy and electric range |
Gallery
The Porsche Panamera PHEV Saloon (credit:Porsche)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Vehicle Type: | Saloon |
| Engine: | Petrol/ Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | Yes |
| Variants (6 Options) |
|---|
| Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid (from € 112,530) |
| Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo (from € 115,363) |
| Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid (from € 136,711) |
| Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo (from € 140,045) |
| Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid (from € 189,316) |
| Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo (from € 193,554) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 17.9 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.6 kW as standard (0% – 100%: 4 hrs). For upgraded 7.2 kW AC onboard charger (0% – 100%: 2 hrs) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 45 – 57g (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): | 1423 |
| Width (mm): | 1937 |
| Length (mm): | 5049 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2950 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 11.9 |
| Boot Space (L): | 403 |
| Panamera 4 E-Hybrid | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 17.9 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 49 – 56 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 24.4 – 22.6 |
| Fuel Consumption (l/100 km): | 2.5 – 2.0 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.6 kW as standard (0% – 100%: 4 hrs). For upgraded 7.2 kW AC onboard charger (0% – 100%: 2 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 280 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: | 4.4 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 100 |
| Max Power (PS): | 462 (combined) |
| Torque (Nm): | 700 (combined) |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 4 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight EC (kg): | 2,285 |
| Colours: | 17 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
Solar And EV Charging: An Overview
The benefits of renewable energy, in particular, solar and wind energy, is already well established across Europe, and in other parts of the world. With the increase in sales of electric vehicles (EVs) over the past three years, the advantages of using clean and renewable energy has been further enhanced.
Firstly, on-site renewable energy can be used for powering both business premises and homes. For on-site generation, we have witnessed a significant increase in distributed clean energy generating plants i.e. many commercial buildings and residential buildings have become generators i.e. generating electricity on-site! Solar roof projects have been popular for such on-site generation installations.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has further amplified the need to develop energy security, not only at a national level, but also at a local level, to include, businesses and households. Those households and businesses that already generate and consume clean energy on-site have been spared the significant onslaught of energy price rise in 2022, which is expected to continue in 2023.
Installing solar panels on-site, mitigates the risks associated with energy price inflation, a significant contributor to costs for a business or a household. On-site renewable energy generation also impacts the environment positively. For those with electric vehicles (EVs), in particular, pure electric vehicles, we strongly encourage the use of renewable energy for EV charging. Of course, we also encourage the use of solar energy for charging a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
Apart from the significant cost benefit i.e. generating renewable energy is a nominal cost per kWh (after initial set-up/ installation costs), to achieve true zero-tailpipe emission electric driving, renewable energy needs to be used for EV charging. This is also known as ‘well-to-wheel’. Just one electric car on the road can save an average of 1.5 million grams of CO2.
The good news for electric car owners is that a number of EV charging stations are now compatible with solar/ wind generation and battery storage. The UK manufacturer myenergi zappi is a good example of a solar/ wind compatible EV charger.
We encourage business and households to adopt an on-site ecosystem of ‘renewable energy-battery storage-EV charging’, to gain the maximum from the advantages of low carbon generation and zero-emission electric driving. Bottom-line, renewable energy is good for the environment and the wallet!
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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