Overview
Volkswagen AG, the Germany automotive group is one of the leading automotive companies in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry. Volkswagen has committed to an investment up to Euro 30 billion by 2023. It aims to sell 3 million electric vehicles by 2025 and launch up to 70 new EV models over the next 10 years.
With the launch of its electric vehicle ID. Family, VW is fast cementing a dominant position to become the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer by 2028, with the automotive behemoth planning to manufacturer 22 million electric vehicles.
The automotive company currently has a number of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on sale, to include:
- The all-electric VW ID.3
- The all-electric VW ID.4
- The all-electric VW ID.4 GTX
- The all-electric VW ID.5
- The all-electric VW ID.5 GTX
- The all-electric VW ID.7
- The all-electric VW e-up!
- VW Touareg R Plug-In Hybrid
- VW Passat GTE Plug-In Hybrid
- VW Passat GTE Plug-In Hybrid Estate
- VW Golf 8 Plug-In Hybrid
- VW Tiguan eHybrid
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 All-Electric Volkswagen e-up! Hatchback
The Volkswagen e-up! is a city car that was launched as an internal combustion engine (ICE) model in 2011. The battery-electric vehicle (BEV) variant was launched in 2013 at the International Motor Show Germany. The original pure electric e-up! had a 18.7 kWh lithium-ion EV battery. The second-generation all-electric VW e-up! was announced in 2019.
The compact EV has been positioned as a zero-emission city electric car. The VW electric hatchback is available in only one battery option (32.3 kWh), with a WLTP emission-free electric range up to 159 miles on a full charge. The EV is positioned primarily for urban driving, but given its range, is also useful for shorter motorway trips.
Of course, the real-world electric range will be lower than the quoted range. For those new to electric driving, it is worth noting that the real-world EV range is influenced by a number of factors. Some include: driving profile, weather conditions, road conditions, passenger load and regenerative braking profile!
For the VW electric hatchback, expect a real-world e-range closer to 135 miles. Sufficient electric range for most day-to-day driving needs and also motorway trips. Do keep in mind that the average distanced travelled in a day is a mere 30 miles and the majority of our commutes are short trips. In fact, the average trip in the UK is just 12 miles.
The EV has a single-phase 7.2 kW onboard charger. The EV can be fully charged via a dedicated residential EV charger in 5 hours and 30 minutes. We at e-zoomed recommend charging overnight at home, when the electricity tariff rates are cheaper. We also encourage using solar energy to charge an electric car.
We discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug for charging an electric car. We also encourage charging on a regular basis. This way, there is always available ‘electric miles’ and regular charging is good for the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Volkswagen offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty.
The EV can be rapid fast charged up to 40 kW DC. Not the fastest, but given the EV battery size, it is appropriate. The EV can be charged from 10%-80% state-of-charge (SOC) in 48 minutes.
In terms of performance, the front-wheel drive Volkswagen e-up! can deliver 0-62 mph in 11.9 seconds. The electric car delivers a maximum power up to 82 PS and 210 Nm torque. The top speed of the EV is 81 mph. Of course, the EV also benefits from instant torque.
The VE electric e-up! is no longer available in the UK as a new car, but is available as a used electric car. For those keen on a used EV, simply email us at shop@ezoomed.com to enquire further. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet.
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
A good option for pure electric city driving | Limited interior space |
Decent EV range | Not available as new |
40 kW DC charging as standard | Limited range for out of city trips |
The All-Electric Volkswagen e-up! Hatchback (credit: VW)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
Body Type: | Hatchback |
Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG): | Not Available |
Engine: | Electric |
Available In UK: | Yes |
Variants (1 Option) |
---|
Volkswagen e-up! (from £ N/A) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
---|---|
EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 32.3 kWh |
Charging: | 40 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 48 mins). Onboard charger 7.2 kW AC (0%-100%: 5 hrs 30 mins) |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
EV Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 100,000 miles |
Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
---|---|
Battery net capacity : 16.7 kWh | £2.40 |
Battery net capacity : 30.0 kWh | £4.32 |
Battery net capacity : 39.2 kWh | £5.64 |
Battery net capacity : 45.0 kWh | £6.48 |
Battery net capacity : 50.0 kWh | £7.20 |
Battery net capacity : 64.0 kWh | £9.22 |
Battery net capacity : 71.0 kWh | £10.22 |
Battery net capacity : 77.0 kWh | £11.09 |
Battery net capacity : 90.0 kWh | £12.96 |
Battery net capacity : 100.0 kWh | £14.40 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/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): | 1492 |
Width (mm): | 1645 |
Length (mm): | 3600 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2417 |
Turning Circle (m): | 9.8 |
Boot Capacity (L): | 250 |
VW e-up! | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 32.3 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 159 miles |
Charging: | 40 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 48 mins). Onboard charger 7.2 kW AC (0%-100%: 5 hrs 30 mins) |
Top Speed: | 81 mph |
0-62 mph: | 11.9 seconds |
Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 61 |
Max Power (PS): | 82 |
Torque (Nm): | 210 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 4 |
Doors: | 5 |
Unladen Weight (kg): | 1,235 |
Colours: | 8 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Three-Star |
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