Electric Cars: The Basics
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The Rolls-Royce Spectre Coupé
Rolls-Royce Motors Cars Limited is a famed UK based luxury automotive manufacturer, now owned by the BMW Group, since 2003. The company is located at the Goodwood estate in West Sussex. Ultra-luxurious cars like the Rolls-Royce Phantom are globally standards of refinement, luxury and status.
Rolls-Royce emerged from an electrical and mechanical business established by Henry Royce in 1884. Royce a co-founder of Rolls-Royce, built his first car in 1904, the same year he first met Charles Rolls, the other co-founder of Rolls-Royce. Charles at that time sold high quality cars in London at that time.
The partnership of the two have defined the history of the automotive sector, in ways, few could have imagined. The Rolls-Royce company was formally established in March 1906, which coincided with the launch of the six-cylinder Silver Ghost. The Ghost was hailed as the ‘best car in the world’ within a year, and the rest, as they say is history!
The all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre is a defining chapter in the history of the famed luxury automotive manufacturer, as it migrates to the production of electric cars. From 2030, Rolls-Royce will electrify its entire portfolio of luxury cars. The Spectre is the first production pure electric car, which was announced in September 2021. The launch of the Rolls-Royce Spectre is also a defining moment for the global automotive industry!
It is worth noting that Charles Rolls, the co-founder of this famed marque, had prophesied an electric car for his company. Charles had acquired an electric vehicle (EV) named the Columbia Electric Carriage. The introduction of the Spectre electric car is the fulfilment of the prophecy 120 years later!
The first deliveries of the pure electric car is expected to commence Q4 2023. The Spectre electric car has been developed on the same platform used for the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. The Spectre EV also shares some commonality with the Rolls-Royce Wraith coupé, to include, the suicide doors.
The full technical details for the Spectre fastback electric car has yet to be published by the automotive manufacturer, but the EV is expected to have a 105 kWh onboard EV battery, with a pure electric range up to 520 km (WLTP) on a single charge.
The EV battery is mounted in the floor pan, which adds a further 30% torsional rigidity. In terms of charging, the EV is expected to be capable of DC charging up to 195 kW. Put another way, we could expect the onboard EV battery to be charged between 10% – 80% within 30 minutes.
The exterior design of the Spectre EV has been created not only for further enhancing the appeal of the car, but also to improve its aerodynamic characteristics, to improve the efficiency and range of the Rolls-Royce electric car. The EV had a drag coefficient of 0.25Cd, making it the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever manufactured.
The manufacturers claim of the Spectre as the ‘world’s first ultra-luxury electric super coupé’ cannot be challenged. The two-door coupé Rolls-Royce battery-electric vehicle (BEV) is without an iota of doubt, the most luxurious electric car ever manufactured, and as is with the case with Rolls-Royce cars, the Spectre electric vehicle caters for a very narrow spectrum of ultra-rich customers!
The exterior styling is stunning, without being too futuristic. The EV has the widest front grille of any Rolls-Royce car, but of course do keep in mind, that EV does not need air inflow the same was as an internal combustion engine (ICE) needs it for cooling the engine!
In any case, the Rolls-Royce front grille is iconic and an integral element of the design! Interestingly, the tail lights have also been redesigned to pay homage to the iconic grille design. The Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament has also be redesigned to make it more aerodynamic in appearance. The EV is available is 12 standard exterior colours and 17 commissioned colours.
Despite the coupé styled roofline, headroom is ample for adult passengers seated in the rear. It is certainly a four-seat electric car. The interior is what you would expect from this brand and price tag. Finished to an interior standard, that few automotive manufactures can deliver. The EV has a decent sized boot, but interestingly, does not have a frunk (boot storage located in the front).
As with other Rolls-Royce cars, the Spectre offer an unimaginable breadth of options to customise the EV, to include the new, multi-coloured seat design. Also on offer are the Starlight Doors, the illuminated facia and Starlight Headliner. The Starlight Doors include 4,796 backlit perforations, each, positioned by hand! The illuminated facia has 5,500 stars depicting the Spirit of Ecstasy’s wing.
The EV is also the ‘most intelligent Rolls-Royce’. The luxurious electric car has 141,200 sender-receiver functions, 7 kilometres of cabling and over 25,000 sub-functions. Rolls-Royce EV owners will also be able to use the ‘Whispers’ app to engage with the electric car. The EV has been tested over 2.5 million km.
The all-wheel drive Rolls-Royce Spectre electric car can achieve 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, despite the additional weight of the onboard EV battery (700 kg). The total kerb weight of the EV is 2,975 kgs. The EV can deliver up to 900 Nm torque and 576 hp.
The manufacturer has indicated that these figures will be finalised in due course. The EV does not come cheap. Rolls-Royce has yet to confirm the pricing. However, it does include the iconic Rolls-Royce umbrella!
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Good electric range | No frunk |
| Ultra-luxurious and refined | DC charging limited to 195 kW |
| Attractive coupé exterior styling | Available in only one EV battery size |
Gallery
The All-Electric Rolls-Royce Spectre Coupé (credit: Rolls-Royce)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
| Body Type: | Coupé |
| Engine: | Electric |
| Available In Ireland: | No |
| Variants (1 Option) |
|---|
| Rolls-Royce Spectre (from N/A) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 105 kWh (TBC) |
| Charging: | 195 kW DC Charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard Charger: N/A kW AC (0% – 100%: N/A hours) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
| Warranty: | N/A |
| 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): | 1559 |
| Width (mm): | 2080 |
| Length (mm): | 5453 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 3210 |
| Turning Cirle (m): | 12.7 |
| Boot Space (L): | N/A |
| Spectre | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 105 kWh (to be confirmed) |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 520 km |
| Electric Energy Consumption (km/Wh): | N/A |
| Charging: | 195 kW DC Charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard Charger: N/A kW AC (0% – 100%: N/A hours) |
| Top Speed: | N/A |
| 0-100 km/h: | 4.4 seconds |
| Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
| Max Power (hp): | 576 |
| Torque (Nm): | 900 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 4 |
| Doors: | 2 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 2,975 |
| Colours: | 29 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
The Pros For Electric Cars
| Pros: Electric Vehicles (EVs) | |
| Lower air pollution: | One can never overestimate the negative impact of air pollution on the health of individuals, in particular, the vulnerable i.e. the children and the elderly. In Ireland, we have witnessed a significant increase in air pollution over the past decade, and yes, petrol and diesel tailpipe emissions have contributed to the worsening air quality across all our villages, towns and cities. Road transportation, though not the only source of pollutants, is a leading source, contributing up to 30%. Electric vehicles help reduce tailpipe emissions i.e. leading to improved air quality. Pure electric cars have no tailpipe, hence the expression ‘zero-tailpipe emissions’ or ‘zero-emissions’. PHEVs do have tailpipe emissions, given the hybrid nature of the vehicle (ICE and electric), but have far lower emissions than a conventional petrol or diesel car. Moreover, when a PHEV is driven on electric mode, the tailpipe emissions are zero! So bottom-line, both BEVs and PHEVs help improve air quality! |
| Lower running costs: | It is a misconception that electric cars are more expensive than petrol and diesel cars. In fact, when electric cars costs are assessed on a life cycle basis, it is clear that EVs are cheaper to drive per km than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. For a start, charging an EV battery can cost as little as 5 €, and in most cases less than 10 €. However, refuelling a tank of fuel can cost up to 120 € (if not more!). An EV costs between 5 and 10 cents per km to drive, significantly lower compared to the cost of driving a petrol or diesel car. |
| Lower maintenance costs: | This is applicable only for BEVs. Pure electric cars have far fewer moving parts compared to an internal combustion engine (ICE) and therefore there is less that can go wrong i.e. lower maintenance costs. |
| Lower risk of breakdown: | Given the fewer moving parts in an electric car, it is not surprising that EVs have a lower probability for a breakdown compared to petrol or diesel vehicles. Most EV drivers have become astute at ‘topping up’ the EV battery on a regular basis to avoid the risk of being stranded due to an empty EV battery, one of the reasons for seeking breakdown assistance. |
| Convenience of charging at home: | Convenience: an EV can be charged at the convenience of your own home or office (no need to visit a petrol station!). In fact, most EVs are charged overnight at home, when the energy prices are the cheapest! |
| Lower energy price volatility: | EV charging costs have a lower price volatility and lower risk of price inflation, compared to petrol prices (petrol prices continue to negatively impact household finances as fuel prices increase). |
| Solar panels can significantly reduce charging costs: | Residential solar panels can be used to lower the cost of charging. Using residential PV solar, the cost of generating and consuming electricity is nominal, if not free (apart from the upfront costs). Both residential and commercial solar installations (for business premises) are ways to hedge against energy price inflation and achieve ‘well-to-wheel’ zero-tailpipe emissions. |
| Lower noise pollution: | In general, electric cars are silent with an in-built artificial noise generator primarily for pedestrian safety. The lower noise from EVs help improve the quality of our living environment, in particular, those living close to busy roads and thoroughfares. |
| Instant torque: | Yes, electric vehicles (EVs) have better torque performance than internal combustion engines, hence the ‘torqueof the town’! If in doubt, look at a traffic light that has both these types of cars. As the signal changes to green, the electric car will quickly leave behind the diesel and petrol cars. The primary reason for the superior acceleration in electric cars, is that, electric vehicles deliver ‘peak or maximum torque’ instantaneously, producing immediate acceleration. However, petrol and diesel cars take time to reach maximum or peak torque. In particular, diesel cars are known for being sluggish. Bottom-line, the better torque performance of electric cars, further contributes to the ‘fun factor’ in driving EVs compared to conventional cars. |
| Better for the environment: | Yes, apart from air pollution, in general, electric vehicles are better for the environment, given the lack of dependence on polluting fossil fuels. |
The Cons For Electric Cars
| Cons: Electric Vehicles (EVs) | |
| Retail prices expensive: | It is true, in that, EVs are still expensive in regards to the retail price, compared to an equivalent petrol/ diesel car. However, the past few years has witnessed a reduction in the prices for EVs, along with the emergence of many affordable EV models. Moreover, aspiring owners of EVs have been able to take advantage of public grants. In our view, as the EV sector continues to mature with increased manufacturing volumes, consumer will gain from the inevitable price reduction as a result of the increased economies of scale. Moreover, the best way to acquire a car, is usually through a competitive financing plan like a lease, contract hire etc, making the acquisition of an EV affordable for many. |
| Limited DC charging infrastructure: | Though 80% of EV charging is done overnight at home, public EV charging infrastructure remains a focal point for debates and aspiring/ current owners of EVs. In Ireland the public EV charging network is growing (2,000 charging points, mostly in urban areas). However, we agree that rapid DC charging infrastructure still needs to be deployed more widespread, helping EV drivers achieve a 0% – 80% EV battery charge in under 30 minutes. |
| Limited choice of EVs: | There is no doubt that there has been a significant increase in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) that have been introduced over the past three years. However, the number of available pure electric cars are still limited in comparison to petrol and diesel vehicles. As global automotive manufacturers ramp-up the development and production of EVs, we expect the ‘consumer choice’ to widen significantly. |
| Limited availability of used EVs: | Given the relatively nascent nature of the EV sector, it is not surprising that the used electric car market is still very small. We do expect the used EV marketplace to improve significantly in the coming years, giving aspiring EV owners a vast choice at competitive prices. |
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