The Citroën C5 X Plug-In Hybrid: The Complete Guide For The India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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

For those keen on an overview of the global electric vehicle (EV) market and the different types of electric vehicles (EVs), simply scroll down to the end of the article!

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The Citroen C5 X PHEV SUV

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Citroen is a leading French automobile manufacturer, now owned by Netherlands based Stellantis N.V., which was formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Italian/ American) and Groupe PSA (French). Stellantis owns a diverse and comprehensive portfolio of leading automotive brands, to include, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Jeep, FIAT, Alfa Romeo etc. The Citroen electric vehicle (EV) portfolio includes both, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models: 

• Citroen C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid SUV
• Citroen C5 X plug-in hybrid SUV
• Citroen E-C4 electric hatchback
• Citroen E-Berlingo electric
• Citroen E-Spacetourer electric
• Citroen AMI electric

Citroën is well known for its quirky styling, and the Citroën C5 X plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) does not disappoint. At first glance it is difficult to recognise the body type, as the plug-in hybrid blends a number of car body styles. The French automotive manufacturer describes the exterior styling as ‘in a class of its own, New Citroën C5 X achieves the perfect mix of a traditional large saloon with its long and imposing bonnet, a practical estate with its large boot and the raised posture of an SUV thanks to its large-diameter wheels’.

It does not matter which way you look at it, the Citroën C5 X has a distinctive look and is certainly good looking! The aggressive roofline styling further enhances the appeal of the plug-in hybrid car, which is also available as a bi-tone colour option.

The C5 X plug-in hybrid electric car has a decent emission-free electric range up to 34 miles (WLTP certified). The 12.4 kWh onboard EV battery can meet the needs of most families keen to take advantage of the lower cost of electric driving. Do keep in mind that a vast number of commutes are below 10 miles, and a 34 miles electric driving range is sufficient for day-to-day journeys.

The PHEV has a 7.4 kW onboard charger, which is perfect for charging at home via a dedicated single-phase EV charger. The electric SUV can be charged up to 100% in 2 hours! The EV does not offer DC charging. We at e-zoomed recommend charging the EV at home, overnight, when the electricity prices are cheaper. Where possible, try and secure a dedicated EV energy tariff plan for charging an electric car. Also, do try to combine residential solar with EV charging.

Moreover, by topping up on a regular basis, the EV can be driven without tailpipe emissions for most commutes. Plug-in hybrid electric cars are also a great way to get more familiar with lower emission electric driving, without having to worry about range anxiety!

The front-wheel drive CX5 PHEV pairs a 1.6-litre petrol engine with an electric motor (80 kW). The EV can achieve 0-62 mph in 7.8 seconds (maximum power: 225 HP). The top speed on the electric car is 145 mph. The CX5 EV has a claimed fuel economy up to 236.2 mpg. Though, real-world fuel economy will be lower than claimed economy, using the e-mode on a regular basis will improve the fuel economy and lower the cost of driving.

The C5 X plug-in electric car is filled with technology, to include, a 12″ central touch screen with MyCitroën Drive Plus, an extended-head-up display, driver assist, 360 degree camera vision and long-range blind, front & rear parking sensors, spot monitoring system, keyless entry and start, wireless smartphone charging and more!

The electric car has a practical and spacious interior, enhanced by the excellent 360 degree visibility (glass coverage -the panoramic sunroof is optional). The rear seats have ample legroom and headroom and the extra seat padding do make them very comfortable! The boot (485 L) is not as large as some of the competitors, but still practical for daily commutes and weekend getaways!

The EV has claimed tailpipe emissions up to 34g CO2/km. Again, substantially lower than the emissions of the conventional combustion engine variant. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The electric car is not available in India.

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PROS	CONS
Good looking and quirky exterior styling	Electric range not as good as alternatives
Good and comfortable interior space, to include rear seats	Smaller boot than competition (485 L) and rear headroom a little tight
A refined drive	DC charging not available

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The Citroen C5 X Plug-In Hybrid (credit: Citroen)

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One of the key advantages of driving an electric vehicle (EV), is that, it is cheaper to drive, compared to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE), petrol and diesel vehicles. For many years, we have witnessed a significant increase in prices at petrol pumps across India. However, this is not an ‘India’ only trend, but a global trend. We can continue to expect an inflation in global petrol and diesel prices for the foreseeable future.

Both, a pure electric car and a plug-in hybrid electric car, offer significant savings on driving costs per mile, when driven on zero-tailpipe emission electric mode. In India, filling a petrol or diesel car can cost anything between Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. As an example, the very popular Audi Q7 diesel SUV has a fuel capacity of 85 litres. Assuming an average cost per litre of Rs 90, the cost of filling a full tank will be up to Rs 7,650!

In comparison, the all-electric Audi e-tron SUV , which is now available in India, and a similar size to the Audi Q7, can be fully recharged for less than Rs 1,000. Put another way, charging the Audi electric SUV, can save up to 85% compared to filling a full tank of fuel (in India, the average cost for residential electricity is between Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kWh).

At an average one can expect a cost per km of Rs 1 for a zero-emission EV, while for an equivalent petrol or diesel vehicle, the cost per km could be up to Rs 7 per km. The annual cost savings achieved by switching to electric driving is significant! The sooner you switch to green cars, the sooner you can start saving money. That is simply the bottom-line!

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Body Type:	SUV
Engine:	Petrol/ Electric
Available In India:	No

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Variants (3 Options)
Sense Plus
Shine
Shine Plus

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 12.4 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. On board charger: 7.4 kW (0%-100%: 2 hours)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	30 – 34g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 100,000 miles

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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

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1485
Width (mm):	1865
Length (mm):	4805
Wheelbase (mm):	2785
Turning Circle (m):	N/A
Boot Space (L):	485

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Citroën C5 X
EV Battery Capacity:	12.4 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	34 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km):	159
Fuel Consumption (mpg):	186.2 – 236.2
Charging:	DC charging not available. On board charger: 7.4 kW (0%-100%: 2 hours)
Top Speed:	145 mph
0-62 mph:	7.8 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	80
Horsepower (hp):	225 (combined)
Torque (Nm):	360
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Minimum Kerb Weight (kg):	1,722
Colours:	6
NCAP Safety Rating:	N/A

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BEVs Vs PHEVs: Which Is Better?

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Both, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have significant advantages over conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol and diesel vehicles. However, when BEVs and PHEVs are compared together, the narrative is not as black & white. Both types of electric vehicles (EVs) have pros and cons, and depending on the buyer circumstances, one type of EV will be more appropriate.

Plug-in hybrid electric cars have played an important role in encouraging drivers to migrate to electric driving. ‘Familiarity’ and ‘range security’ offered by plug-in hybrid vehicles, have been key attributes in propelling buyers to migrate to electric driving. A PHEV in many respects is very similar to driving a conventional petrol/ diesel car, except for the introduction of an electric mode, regenerative braking and EV charging.

As an example, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Plug-In Hybrid SUV, uses both, a petrol engine and an electric motor to propel the vehicle. The electric motor is driven by an onboard EV battery, which is charged via an external EV charging station. For those keen on ‘familiarity’, a PHEV, despite the addition of an electric motor, is very similar to driving a conventional petrol or diesel car.

The other impediment to migrating to EVs is range anxiety. In a PHEV there is no fear about an ’empty’ EV battery, as the vehicle can still be driven on the internal combustion engine (ICE). Bottom-line, for those in India keen to use an EV, but lack EV charging infrastructure and need to travel long distances on a regular basis, a plug-in hybrid electric car is more appropriate than a BEV.

Pure electric cars (BEVs) have come a long way over the past decade, since the introduction of the all-electric Nissan Leaf in 2010. In particular, in regards to increased EV range. Pure electric cars like the Tesla Model 3 can offer a range up to 360 miles (the first generation Leaf offered a range up to 73 miles). The Model 3 is not the only EV that can offer a long electric range. In fact, many of the recent EVs introduced have a range well over 200 miles on a full battery charge. This significant improvement in electric range has helped reduce the concern over range anxiety, enabling greater confidence in EVs.

Unlike PHEVs, pure electric cars are zero-tailpipe emission i.e. a BEV does not have a tailpipe and therefore does not pollute the air! The improvement in air quality, is one of the key advantages of choosing a BEV over a PHEV. The other key advantage is that a BEV is cheaper to drive and maintain, compared to a PHEV. This should come as no surprise as a BEV has only an electric motor/s, while a PHEV has an internal combustion engine, coupled with an electric motor. Put another way, a plug-in hybrid EV has many more moving parts and therefore more to maintain and repair overtime!

BEVs are well suited for businesses and families keen to improve local air quality and reduce the cost of driving. Of course, access to dedicated EV charging infrastructure at home and on the road is a prerequisite to owning a BEV!

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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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