How Much is Too Much for EV Driving Range?

How long should an EV be able to travel on a full battery?  ‘Neue Klasse’, from BMW, suggests that 1000 kilometres is about right.  BMW’s New Class of vehicles are not far off the runway now, said to be arriving in 2025.  And they are going to be the first BMWs-ever that have been designed from the ground up to be specifically all-electric, EV through-and-through.

That does raise an interesting question: How far should we expect our brand spanking new EVs to go on a full charge (a full tank of electrons instead of a full tank of gas)?  Should we be able to drive from Sydney to Melbourne (877 km), Sydney to Adelaide (1374 km), Sydney to Cairns (2430 km), Sydney to Perth (3932 km), or just Sydney to Wollongong and back (about 175 km) on a full battery?

Most of us are probably sick of driving non-stop after 6–8 hours max in a day.  So, say most of that was done at 100 km/h, then 100 × 8 hours would get you to 800 kilometres before you’d be needing a proper cup of coffee in a proper coffee cup!  It would be then you’d want a rest and a sleep, right?

Perhaps Neue Klasse has got it bang on then.  1000 km would cover an all day blast up the coast from Sydney to Brisbane, which is approximately a total of 911 kilometres via the coastal route.  Get to the end of that journey, and you could pull up at a mate’s place for tea, or a motel, and plug in your EV overnight ready for the long drive back home.

According to Thomas Albrecht (BMW’s head of Efficient Dynamics), in 2025, New Class EV BMWs are set to have “thirty-percent or more” range than what’s currently available now.  That means that the brand-new BMW EV platform with lots of fresh pieces of technology, including 46 mm cylindrical battery cells, should push the Generation 6 batteries out to around 1000 km before they run out of electron juice.  Even though BMW could go further than this 1000 kilometre range, Albrecht suggested that this would be the maximum that BMW will offer because they don’t think that such a long range is necessary.

BMW will debut the new Generation 6 batteries in the 2025 BMW 3 Series EV.  How much do you think we should be able to get out of the battery packs in any new EV bought in 2025–2030?  I’d be interested to know – remembering that battery tech and recharging times will likely have vastly improved by then.

New Cars to Buy – Exciting!

Along with the new SUVs showcased last time, Australia will also see some other exciting vehicles arriving in the coming months.  Keep your eyes out for the following:

Honda

Civic Hybrid

Honda’s new Civic hybrid has its own subtle design features that set it apart from other Civic models.  Hybrid-specific displays for the infotainment screen and instrument cluster gives the car its own environmentally friendly twist, plus the revised rear bumper is designed to conceal the exhaust outlets.  Honda’s Civic Hybrid also gets blue accents for its Honda badges, and there is a special e:HEV tailgate badging to set it off nicely.

As a driver, the new Honda Civic Hybrid is an impressively competent vehicle with great economy and plenty of get up and go.  The Civic HEV’s hybrid system is based around the 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated Atkinson-cycle petrol motor that is found in the current Honda Accord VTi-LX Hybrid.  Matching the engine output to a smooth CVT automatic makes for an excellent easy car to drive.  315 Nm of torque provides grunt when you need it and the 135 kW of peak power suits this car well and delivers a bigger punch than the standard Civic’s 131 kW/240 Nm levels.

The front-wheel drive Honda Civic Hybrid is likely to be more efficient than the Accord Hybrid and even more so than Toyota’s Corolla Hybrid (4.2 litres/100 km).

BYD

BYD Atto 4

BYD EA 1 (Dolphin)

BYD Auto is the largest EV manufacturer in the world and is the automotive division of the Chinese multinational manufacturer BYD Company.  Along with some SUV models, BYD is also bringing their Atto 4 sedan and their neat little EA 1 to Australia.

The BYD Atto 4 is a mid-size sedan that looks beautiful, sporty, and aerodynamic.  Equipped with loads of the latest technology and also obtaining power from large batteries with a unique design, the Atto 4 impresses.  Standard Atto 4 versions get a 61.4 kWh battery pack and a claimed 550 km range.  The pricier models get a larger 82.5 kWh unique Blade battery with a claimed range of up to 700 km.  Having the larger battery and an AWD system, this flagship BYD Atto 4 can reach 100km/h from a standstill in just 3.8 seconds!

More BYD excitement has the imminent arrival of the BYD EA 1 Hatchback.  In China they call the BYD EA 1 the rather endearing name ‘BYD Dolphin’.  This is a small Chinese EV hatchback that is being picked to be priced at or less than $30,000 in Australia.  The small all-electric hatchback will be available with various battery and drivetrain configurations, all using a single electric motor to power the front wheels.

Two battery capacities: 30.7 kWh or 44.9 kWh will be available for the EA 1, both of which can be paired with a 70 kW/180 Nm motor.  The larger 44.9 kWh battery can also be linked to a 130 kW/290 Nm motor, providing swifter acceleration and cruising speeds.  Larger batteries will also become available over time for the little EA1 – particularly necessary, as Australia is a pretty vast land mass.

Managing director, Luke Todd, stated that “Our view is [that] in Australia any EV must have a minimum – even for city running – of 400 km to be accepted in the Australian market.  All of our vehicles will have at least a 400 km range … our target is 500 km-plus.”

Cupra

Cupra Leon

Cupra Formentor

Cupra Ateca

Cupra is a Volkswagen-owned Spanish brand who have opened their doors to import their vehicles to Australia, offering us a 3-strong model range.

The exciting range of Cupra cars – Ateca (SUV), Leon (Hatchback), and Formentor (Crossover) – will spearhead the Australian line-up.

The Cupra Ateca SUV comes exclusively in the VZx form, so 221 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque is sent through the 4Drive AWD system to deliver 0-100 km/h in 4.9-seconds.  I can see plenty of performance-SUV lovers who want to drive something as unique looking as the Cupra Ateca SUV wanting one!

The Cupra Leon Hatchback will be offered in VZ, VZe and VZx specification levels.  So along with plenty of technology and differing variants, there will be a 2.0-litre turbo 140 kW/320 Nm, 180 kW/370 Nm, 180kW/400 Nm (Hybrid), and 221 kW/ 400Nm outputs respectively.  So, there’s something for everyone here!

The Cupra Formentor is the Crossover Cupra and boasts the 4Drive AWD system on the V and VZx variants.  Note the gorgeous crossover body styling that brings with it plenty of space, practicality and comfort.

All new Cupras sold in Australia will include a 5-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

Volvo

Volvo C40

Volvo has a new C40 coming!  There are two versions offered that are based around one having a single electric motor and the other a dual electric motor layout. The Volvo C40 shares the electric powertrains with the XC40.  Boot space is measured at 413 litres for both the single and dual motor versions.

Volvo’s the single motor C40 uses a 69 kWh battery pack and a single electric motor over the front axle.  It produces 170 kW of power and 330 Nm of torque, combining nicely to provide drivers with a potential 0-100km/h dash being finished in 7.4 seconds.  A full charge has a range of over 400 km.

Jump over to the Volvo C40 with its dual motor system, and you’ll find a larger 78 kWh battery pack.  An electric motor for the front axle and an electric motor for the rear axle has this Volvo C40 equipped with AWD and capable of seeing off the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 4.7 seconds.  That’s pretty swift!  Again, a full charge should be able to take you over 400 km.

The single motor Volvo C40 kicks off at around $74,990, and the dual motor model around $82,490.

Audi

Audi A8

Audi S8

Audi’s A8 and S8 facelifts are coming.  The A8 Sedan and Audi’s sportier S8 version have been a stunning proposition for some time, and they keep getting better.  Quite an attractive large and luxurious sedan, the 2022 A8 delivers new levels of technology in the areas of comfort, entertainment, and safety.

The stunning A8 exterior remains similar to the outgoing model but you will find some nice subtle changes on the outside.  18–21-inch rims are available with six new designs to choose from.  Audi’s ‘singleframe’ grille has been widened and pushed out at the bottom corners for a sportier, more athletic appearance.

The luxury sedan has grown a bit longer, making Audi’s flagship even more comfortable.  It competes with the best big sedans from Mercedes Benz, BMW, and Lexus, so the relaxation seat package comes as no surprise, adding a back massage function, a foot warmer, an optional centre control console, and a fold-out table.  23 Bang and Olufsen speakers create an amazing audio sound.

Around the world, the new Audi A8 and A8 L versions will offer a wide selection of chiefly twin-turbo V6 engines that have 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance.  All models will boast Quattro AWD and an 8-speed automatic.  Audi S8 versions get the sweet-singing twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol ICE that can move this luxury–sports sedan from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds.  Boasting all-wheel steering, the S8 is a nimble thing of beauty.

Citroen

Citroen C5 X

Citroen calls the C5 X a “unique combination of the elegance of a sedan, the dynamism of a wagon and the elevated stance of an SUV”.

In my eyes, the new Citroen C5X looks both elegant and comfortable – just like a special Citroen should.  The Citroen C5 X is a large 5-seater that measures 4805 mm in length.  Luggage capacity is 485/1580 litres for the PHEV version and 545/1640 litres for the ICE car.  Inside its cabin, you’ll find the C5 X is very comfortable, and the sensible interior layout is pleasant on the eye.  A load of high-tech interior features include a digital driver’s display, a big 12.0-inch central touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a novel toggle gear shifter.

Adaptive dampers increase the Citroen C5 X’s ability out on the road, ensuring that those of us who love comfort can ride all day in a C5 X, all very comfortably indeed.

Equipped with the 165 kW/300 Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder ICE, the Australian version will have decent power (0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds) while being hooked up to an 8-speed automatic transmission and FWD.  A top speed of 232 km/h is doable.  Citroen’s Australian importer is also considering launching the new Citroen C5 X with a PHEV powertrain.  This system mates the 1.6-litre turbo ICE with an 81.2 kW electric motor and a 12.4 kWh lithium-ion battery for a total system output of 165 kW and a claimed electric range of 50 km (WLTP).  The PHEV version is slightly quicker, boasting a 7.9 second time for the 0-100 km/h dash.

Peugeot

Peugeot 308

Peugeot is bringing us the next-generation 308 and the 3^rd generation 308 is a classy looker from any angle you care to look at it from the curb side.  Peugeot’s Australian line-up will consist of 4 variants: the 308 GT Hatch, 308 GT Premium Hatch and Wagon, and the Peugeot 308 GT Sport PHEV hatch – a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

The PHEV versions of the 308 Hatch and Wagon will use larger batteries and more powerful motors than you’ll find in the smaller Peugeot e-208 supermini models.  A Peugeot 308 GT Sport PHEV model sees a 132 kW 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder ICE unit paired to an 81 kW electric motor.  The total output of the powertrain sends out a sprightly 165 kW of power and 360 Nm of torque to an AWD system for maximum traction and plenty of excitement.

New 308s with ICEs will be powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine that produces 96 kW of power and 230 Nm of torque.  This little engine is paired with an Aisin-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission that sends the power to the front wheels.  Peugeot offers an e-308 in Europe, which is a pure electric variant.

Ford

Ford Ranger Ute

Ford E Transit

The new Ford Ranger Ute is packed with smart functionality and a cool ‘Tonka Toy’ appearance.  Commands via voice, phone, or the central touchscreen has you controlling many of the infotainment features.  Wireless phone charging, a smart climate control system, and a new digital cluster for the driver keeps the tough new Ford Ranger models at the head of the pack.  Its chunkier styling with a wider stance, big towing capacity, and superior off-road ability are part of the new Ford Ranger experience.

Like the brand new Ford Everest SUV, the Ranger Ute houses the latest 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 ICE, which is also offered alongside the existing 2.0-litre twin-turbo 4-cylinder diesel engine for 2022/23.  The V6 boasts 184 kW of power at 3250 rpm and 600 Nm of torque from 1750-2250 rpm.

Ford’s latest E-Transit vans will be available with an all-electric powertrain for more efficient, zero-emissions driving.

Genesis

Genesis G80 Sedan

The charming Genesis G80 Sedan has gone pure EV and it is a stunner on the styling front.  The car’s opulence and quiet ride will impress.  An 87.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is housed under the floor, and a claimed Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) range of over 500 km is a decent amount of travel.  The G80 EV Sedan has a pair of electric motors that work in unison to develop a maximum of 272 kW.  This level of power combines with instantaneous torque of up to 700 Nm.  These are powerful figures, allowing the luxurious Genesis Sedan to sprint from 0-100 km/h in less than 5 seconds.

Classic Citroen

As mentioned in a more recent blog, Stellantis is official: PSA and FCA have merged under the name Stellantis.  The name Stellantis originates from the Latin verb “stello” which means “to brighten with stars”.  Car maker, Stellantis, now has 14 car brands under its wing, and they include: Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall.  As far as its size goes, Stellantis is now the 4^th-largest carmaker in the world, behind Toyota, VW Group, and the Renault-Mitsubishi-Nissan Alliance.

As you might have noticed, one of the 14 car brands is Citroen.  Stellantis is planning to launch a new model under the Citroen brand for India and Latin America in 2022.  The idea is for Stellantis to push outside the boundaries of its conventional European sales territory and branch further into emerging markets where it has had much less exposure.

Citroen left India in the 1930s, so some water has certainly past under the bridge since then.  At a time when some other foreign carmakers are leaving India after struggling to make a profit there, Stellantis is seizing an opportunity with its Citroen-based products and heading straight on in.  The company recently said it plans to produce a new version of the Citroen C3, which is commonly a city car in Europe, will be launched into India and Latin America in the second half of 2022.  The car will be produced in India through a joint venture with CK Birla, and in Brazil.  It is likely to be the first of 3 models aimed primarily for India and Latin America – these 3 models being produced over the next 3 years.  By 2030, Stellantis expects India to become the world’s 3^rd biggest car market after China and the U.S.

Citroen C5 X

However, Stellantis isn’t running away from Europe car markets anytime soon.  It is well-known that the big German brands are dominating the midsize car segment in Europe, however Stellantis’s European focus is ramping up.  Following the Peugeot 508 and glorious Citroen DS9, Citroen has a new flagship model that they want to put against the classy Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, and Audi A6 models.  What is exciting is that the new Citroen C5 X will be a car that is a bit sedan, a bit wagon and a bit SUV in its design.  The relatively flat roofline has a bit of sedan in its lines.  The drawn-out rear-end brings the station wagon style, and then the tall ride height is more SUV – reminiscent of the C5 Aircross.  At 4805 mm long, 1865 mm wide and 1485 mm tall, the new Citroen C5 X is smaller than its potential German rivals.  It offers 545 litres of boot space behind the rear seats, which can be expanded to 1640 litres after the rear seats have been folded flat.

Citroen C5 X

It has to be said that the new Citroen C5 X boasts a quirky exterior that takes after the 2016 Cxperience concept.  Its interior will be loaded with technology – all the very best tech that Citroen has to offer.  A 12-inch touchscreen for infotainment, a large head-up display with support for augmented reality, a fully digital driver’s display, separate physical controls for the climate-control settings, sumptuous seating, and superior ride quality and comfort are just some of the features of the soon-to-be available Citroen C5 X will provide.

Citroen C5 X

Speaking of Citroen ride quality, the new Citroen C5 X flagship will come with the patented Citroen Advanced Comfort suspension, with the plug-in hybrid version making comfort even further advanced by featuring an active suspension.  It boasts what the French automaker refers to as Progressive Hydraulic Cushioning, which when combined with exceptionally comfy seats, it should enable a silky-smooth ride even on bumpy surfaces – all in legendary Citroen fashion.

A variety of petrol-fed engines are planned; however, Citroen highlights the plug-in hybrid powertrain with 168 kW and more than 50 km of electric range as a special model to take on the gradual change to hybrid and EV technology.  The Citroen C5 X PHEV model will be able to travel at speeds of up to 135 km/h in full electric mode.

The brand-new Citroen C5 X, made under the Steallantis name, will go on sale in Europe in the second half of 2022.  Let’s hope that we see it as part of Citroen Australia’s line-up, too.  With Australia’s growing love of the SUV, it would seem a logical model to bring over here…

For something a little different! 

Citroen DS 1970

The 1955–1975 Citroen DS is still regarded as one of the most unique and interesting cars to have ever been made.  The idea of retrofitting one of these to modern electric propulsion would be in the spirit of all things Citroen.  A company known as ‘Electrogenic’ decided to reinvent the Citroen DS model with a battery-powered conversion.

The Oxford-based company retained the original car’s aerodynamic body but swapped the 2.0-liter petrol-fed engine for a brushless electric motor that produces 89 kW of power and 235 Nm of instant torque – a rather meaty performance upgrade.  Interestingly, the power is delivered to the front wheels through the car’s original manual gearbox.

Providing the electric energy for the powertrain is a 48.5-kWh battery pack that is housed within the DS’s body.  Electrogenic stated a real-world driving range of about 225 km per charge was doable.  A 29-kW charger will refill the batteries to full capacity in about two hours.  If the customer wanted a larger battery for a higher range between charges, it can be provided in a combination with a more powerful charger.

One of the fine attributes of the old Citroen DS was its silky-smooth hydro-pneumatic suspension.  Electrogenic has also improved the hydro-pneumatic system by replacing the standard mechanical pump with an electric pump, which is more silent and delivers a more sophisticated ride than the original.

From the outside, the only visual differences between the original DS and the electric-powered conversion are the lack of exhaust pipes and the subtle but distinctive “DS EV electronique” decal on the boot.

Steve Drummond, director of Electrogenic, says that “Repowering classic cars with all-electric drive brings a number of benefits, from the ease of use to reliability and performance gains”.  Of course, the quiet EV function brings out the best in old-timer classics.

BMW Brilliance

BMW has always been a favourite standout brand of mine, and BMW is forging new models and technology even as we speak.  It has been a bit of a gruelling year-or-two with the covid shenanigans, and car manufactures are only one small segment of the global economic pie to have taken a sizable hit.  The shortage of semiconductors has been, and still is, a problem because cars rely on these items for controlling anything from your electric windows to all the fancy driving assistance aids.  However, the winds are changing, and the rebound is occurring.  Luxury car marques like BMW seem to be doing very well, and even with the electronic chip shortages being a bit of an issue it seems that BMW will get through this period in fairly good shape.  There is always a talking point re this special car marque; sometimes the designs might look great to some and not so flash for others, but there is always a gem being turned out from this great team of motoring designers and manufacturers.  BMW cars are more often than not great to drive, good looking, practical and advanced cars.

In this covid recovery period, various chief financial officers recently mentioned that, for now, luxury marques like BMW would consciously undersupply demand levels, which seems a prudent, sensible path to take, as BMW new car prices are holding up very well – quite bullish in fact.  The increased pricing power has already trickled down to the bottom lines for BMW and Daimler.  Mercedes achieved a 12.2% return on sales in the last reported quarter, which was up from 8.4% in the same period in 2018 (2018 being of a period not affected by the pandemic or diesel emissions litigation costs).  BMW achieved a 16% return on sales, which was up from 8.6% in 2018.  BMW also reported a $5.7 billion net profit in the second quarter of this year, suggesting global auto markets are continuing to recover from the pandemic — particularly when it comes to luxury cars like BMW and Mercedes.

BMW M4 Minty Green

This is great news for BMW and car lovers in general, but what’s new in BMW’s box of tricks?  A very cool thing that BMW revealed at the recent Munich Motorshow (early September 2021) was to be found in the BMW M4 corner, where this manic machine, with its impetuous acceleration, showed a jaw-dropping minty green sheen to its beautiful, sexy exterior.  The M4 Competition wore a Mint Green paint job and sat upon gorgeous bronze 20-inch rims.  Both of these options are available as part of the brand’s expanded BMW Individual customization line, which you can find on BMW’s online configurator, where more than 130 other paint options and eight different wheel options are available.  This latest BMW M4 Competition also had a new fibre front splitter, a restyled rear bumper, a rear wing, and some unique side skirts that were all made with carbon fibre.  Carbon fibre interior seating surfaces and trim pieces are also part of the online configurator.  So, try before you buy!

The Munich motor show also allowed the public to preview a hydrogen-electric BMW X5 that is due to enter very-limited production in 2022.  This is an exciting moment because the vehicle was first previewed in 2019 as the i Hydrogen Next concept.  It’s currently in the prototype stage, and early this month it was confirmed with the go ahead, going by the name of BMW iX5 Hydrogen.

A hydrogen-electric vehicle is like a battery-electric vehicle, but instead of drawing power from electricity out of the charged battery the hydrogen-electric vehicle relies on a hydrogen fuel-cell stack to produce electricity power.  BMW’s iX5 Hydrogen has the hydrogen fuel-cell positioned up front where it draws hydrogen from 2 tanks, one in the X5’s transmission tunnel and another under the rear seats.  The tanks are made from carbon-fibre-reinforced-plastic and can hold about 5.9 kg of hydrogen at more than 10,000 psi.  Tank filling takes only a few minutes.  The hydrogen fuel-cell combines hydrogen with oxygen from the air to create electricity.  This process only has water (H₂O) as a by-product – Wow!  The electricity primarily powers a single motor at the rear axle but is also used to charge a small battery that steps in from time-to-time to deliver extra grunt to the motor during high-load situations.

BMW iX5 Hydrogen Platform

The BMW iX5 Hydrogen will have a total system power output of 275 kW.  The hydrogen fuel cell, on its own, generates about 125 kW.  The vehicle’s aerodynamically shaped 22-inch wheels are wrapped in a new Pirelli tyre that is made from natural rubber and a wood-based synthetic fibre known as rayon.  These two materials replace much of the petroleum-based synthetic rubbers used in modern tyres.

The extensive field testing has already started in earnest within Europe.  Particular focus points have had the engineers examining how effectively the CO₂-free drivetrain works in real-life conditions.  Also, they are measuring metrics which include reliability, safety, and efficiency during everyday conditions to ensure that the new model is perfect for mass production.  Hydrogen fuel cell technology has the potential to supplement internal combustion engines, plug-in hybrid systems, and battery-electric vehicles.  The BMW iX5 Hydrogen has hydrogen tanks that can be filled quickly in only 3–4 minutes.

BMW states that the small batch of iX5 Hydrogen models that are destined to be built in 2022 will only be used for demonstration and testing purposes.  BMW doesn’t expect to have any hydrogen-electric vehicles at dealerships until 2025 at the earliest and depending on the direction that the automotive markets take.

Newest off the showroom floor is the all-new BMW iX3 with its refreshed exterior design.  The new BMW iX3 has a sexier appearance and introduces the M Sport Package as standard.  BMW has achieved an impressive CO₂ emission assessment for this next-generation iX3, and the vehicle boasts an exceptionally efficient drive system.  Extensive use of secondary raw materials in the manufacture of aluminium castings and thermoplastics combines with the new iX3 boasting an absence of rare earth materials and the use of more green electricity in its production.

BMW iX3 2022

The BMW iX3 has a kidney grille that is larger still, and it has a single-piece frame that comes in Pearl-effect Chrome with blue accents to match with the BMW i styling cues.  Its headlights have been made slimmer.  It also boasts 19-inch black aerodynamic wheels, an automatic tailgate, adaptive suspension, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

BMW is a bit of a landmark in the automotive world, a benchmark, the perfect blend of performance, luxury and practicality.  In the future, BMW wants to be ready to supply customers with their powertrain of choice, whether it be gasoline, diesel, battery or hydrogen.  In the case of hydrogen, BMW sees it as an opportunity for customers that favour long-distance driving or who happen to live in regions without adequate battery recharging infrastructure.

I have so many favourite BMWs and other cars, including the 4.0-litre Falcons, which have rolled our roads over the last few decades of motoring, but let’s not be nincompoops and let’s embrace new ways of automotive power; let’s embrace the new BMW i technology.