BMW 225xe Active Tourer Plug-In Hybrid MPV: The Complete Guide For India

---

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Instagram

---

Electric Cars: The Basics

---

For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

---

Sign up to the newsletter

---

The BMW 225xe Active Tourer PHEV MPV

---

BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), is a leading global automotive manufacturer headquartered in Munich, Germany. BMW is well known for its portfolio of luxury vehicles, to include the famed Rolls-Royce luxury cars. The group manufacturers a number of cars under its BMW brand, to include battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The company currently has the following portfolio of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):

• BMW 225xe Active Tourer PHEV
• BMW 330e Saloon PHEV
• BMW 330e Touring PHEV
• BMW 530e Saloon PHEV
• BMW 530e Touring PHEV
• BMW 745e PHEV
• BMW X1 xDrive25e PHEV
• BMW X2 xDrive25e PHEV
• BMW X3 xDrive30e PHEV
• BMW X5 xDrive45e PHEV

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) has been manufactured since 2014. The BMW 2 Series is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Though automotive manufacturers like BMW, have been busy upgrading their model portfolios, to include plug-in hybrids, in general, the number of available MPV plug-in electric cars, still remains limited, in particular, in the premium-priced segment. Therefore, the BMW 225xe plug-in MPV electric car is certainly worth the consideration.

The BMW Active Tourer plug-in hybrid has a 8.82 kWh onboard EV battery, with a fuel-free zero-tailpipe emission range up to 53 km (WLTP certified). Of course, do keep in mind that the real-world EV range will be lower than the WLTP range, and assuming a 45 km electric range is more realistic.

Both the EV battery size and claimed range are very similar to what we have come to expect of most PHEVs, however, the more recent plug-in electric cars offer a larger battery size and a longer pure electric range. Nevertheless, an e-range between 45 km and 53 km is sufficient for most daily commutes and needs.

The real-world range will impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, passenger and cargo load, speed, regenerative braking profile, onboard services used, road conditions and of course the weather! However, the PHEV offers ample range to take advantage of the lower cost of driving an electric car i.e. far cheaper than using the internal combustion engine (ICE).

Also, the best way to enjoy the smoother and silent electric mode, is to make sure that the EV battery is ‘topped-up’ on a regular basis. This also helps with the long-term health and maintenance of the EV battery. The EV has a 3.7 kW AC onboard charger, which is disappointing, given the price tag. A 7.4 kW onboard charger should have been incorporated as standard. Nevertheless, do take advantage of the faster and safer charging using a dedicated EV charger like Wallbox.

The BMW electric car can be fully charged in 2.5 hours. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for EV charging. Using a domestic plug will take up to 4 hours to charge the EV. The PHEV does not offer fast DC charging compatibility.

The more a PHEV is driven on EV mode, the better is the overall efficiency and fuel economy of the vehicle. BMW claims that the BMW 225xe PHEV can deliver up to 1.8 l/100km. Of course, the real-world fuel consumption will depend on how well you leverage the use of the electric motor/ EV battery. The more, the better!

Like all PHEVs, the pairing of an electric motor with the internal combustion engine (ICE), also helps reduce the tailpipe-emissions for the BMW 2 Series plug-in electric car. The claimed tailpipe-emissions is up to 39g (CO2/km). The lower the emissions, the lower the local air pollution. A win-win for all!

The performance of the BMW 2 Series is decent, but not exceptional. The EV is reasonably quick, despite the extra weight of the onboard EV battery. It can achieve 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds (maximum power: 220 HP). The EV pairs a 2.0-litre (four-cylinder) petrol engine with an electric motor (70 kW).

The BMW PHEV has a good quality interior, as would be expected from a premium-badged EV. In terms of technology, the EV includes: BMW head-up display, BMW curved-display, BMW digital key, reversing assistant, BMW intelligent personal assistant and a lot more. Bottom-line the drivers cockpit is modern and intuitive. In terms of practicality, the five-door PHEV offers 400 L cargo volume. Not exceptional, but certainly sufficient.

Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The BMW electric car is not available in India.

---

PROS	CONS
Versatile and a practical family electric vehicle	Small EV battery, limited electric range, onboard charger limited to 3.7 kW, DC charging not available
All-wheel drive (AWD) as standard	Expensive. Cheaper alternative PHEVs available
Cheap to run on electric mode	Higher tailpipe emissions, compared to recent PHEVs

---

The BMW 225xe Active Tourer Plug-In Hybrid MPV (credit: BMW)

---

At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Vehicle Type:	MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle)
Engine:	Petrol-Electric
Available In India:	No

---

(Variants (1 Option)
BMW 225xe (from ₹ N/A)

---

EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size (8.82 kWh)
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2.5 hrs)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	39 – 37g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 160,000 km

---

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):	1556
Width (mm):	1800
Length (mm):	4354
Wheelbase (mm):	2670
Turning Circle (m):	N/A
Boot capacity (L):	400

---

BMW 225xe M Sport Active Tourer
EV Battery Capacity:	8.82 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	53 km
Electric Energy Consumption (km/kWh):	13.5
Fuel Consumption (l/100km):	1.8
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2.5 hrs)
Top Speed:	202 km/h
0-100 km/h:	6.7 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	70
Max Power (hp):	220
Torque (Nm):	220
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Unladen Weight-EU (kg):	1,760
Colours:	7
NCAP Safety Rating:	N/A

---

Air Quality: The Basics

---

It does not matter where in India one lives, no one can escape the increased level of air pollution engulfing our villages, towns and cities, across the country. However, this is not unique to India.

Air pollution has been documented globally as one of the key issues in increased mortality rates, in particular, for those that are most vulnerable: the children and the aged. Increased air pollution has been linked to increases in premature deaths, higher rates of cancer, heart attacks, stroke and lung diseases.   

In India, air quality worsens closer to more densely populated urban centres, the 1st, 2^nd and 3^rd tier cities. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru are just some of the examples of cities with dangerous levels of toxic air pollution or poor air quality. In fact, air pollution levels have been so high in India in the recent years, that it has captured the attention of the world media. 

Many factors affect the level of air pollution, but one that is significant, is the pollution released from road transportation, commonly referred to as ‘emissions’ or tailpipe emissions. For the majority of the globe, to include, India, emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles contribute more than 30% to air pollution. This is an average, and certainly, in more populated cities like Delhi and Mumbai, the level of toxic contribution from vehicle exhausts will be even higher. The other major contributor to air pollution is energy production and consumptions (fossil fuels).  

---

So, what is air pollution?

---

• Air pollution is the release of pollutants in our atmosphere that have a negative impact on the health of individuals and the environment as a whole. 

• The majority of pollutants are invisible. The are minutely small particles (finely divided solids) or gases that cannot be seen with the naked eye. These extremely small solid or liquid particles are also called particulates. Examples are: fumes, smoke, dust and soot. The majority of these particulates are less than 10 micrometres.    

• Air pollution can affect the environment both outdoors and indoors. There are a number of different types of pollutants, but the most well known are particulate matter, carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.  

• Both carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO2), contribute to smog formation, very common in the winter months. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) contributes to haze and also acid rain formation. Particulate matters also contributes to haze and acid rain. All the above negatively impact health by increasing irritation of breathing passages, aggravation of asthma and irregular heartbeat. 

• Pollutants like carbon dioxide have a far reaching consequence on our lives. It is not only air pollution that it impacts, but as being a major source of greenhouse gas, CO2 has a long-term and detrimental impact on our environment and ecosystem. More commonly refereed to as ‘climate change’.

• Most of us know in India are familiar with PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter). These are tiny particles or droplets that are two and one half microns or less in width. A micron is a unit of measurement of length equal to one millionth of a metre. An increase in levels of PM 2.5 concentrations result in an increase in unhealthy air quality, haze etc. Vehicle exhausts are a major contributor to higher levels of PM 2.5 in the air.    

• Though measures like reducing traffic (odd-even system in Delhi), wearing air masks etc. can help reduce the impact of pollution, the reduction is not far-reaching. Zero-emission road transportation i.e. electric cars, are a panacea for a sustained and comprehensive improvement in air quality. The sooner, we in India, migrate to electric vehicles, the sooner can we start to improve our local air quality.  

---

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.

---

Related articles

---