Electric Cars: The Basics
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 Indian and global electric vehicle (EV) market, simply scroll down to the end of the article!
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The All-Electric Citroen ë-C4 X Saloon
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 ë-C4 X electric saloon
- Citroen E-Berlingo electric
- Citroen E-Spacetourer electric
- Citroen AMI electric
Looks familiar? Of course, it does. The front of the all-electric Citroen ë-C4 X is similar to the all-electric five-door ë-C4 hatchback! According to Citroën, the ë-C4 X ‘combines the elegant silhouette of a fastback with a modern look of a SUV’.
Bottom-line, it is a five-seat, four-door saloon. In terms of length, the ë-C4 X (4600mm) fits between the ë-C4 (4360mm) and the C5 X (4805mm). The ë-C4 X and the ë-C4 have the same wheelbase (2670mm), as both electric cars are built on the Common Modular Platform (CMP). The ë-C4 X was revealed in June 2022.
The commonality with the ë-C4 e-hatchback does not stop at the exterior. In fact, both electric cars have the same onboard EV battery size (50 kWh) and offer a 7.4 kW AC (single-phase) onboard charger as standard, with an option to upgrade to a 11 kW AC (three-phase) onboard charger.
No need to upgrade, if the majority of the charging is done at home, as most homes in India are supplied with single-phase power supply. Using a dedicated residential EV charger, the EV can be fully charged in 7 hours 30 minutes. At three-phase 11 KW EV charging, the e-car can be fully charged in 5 hours.
We at e-zoomed encourage EV owners to install an on-site renewable energy generation system (solar or wind), coupled with battery storage. This way, the true benefits of driving an electric car can be leveraged to its full extent, to include zero-tailpipe emissions and financial savings.
The ë-C4 X saloon has a claimed electric range up to 357 km (WLTP) on single charge. Not a significant difference compared to the ë-C4 hatchback (350 km), despite the more aggressive sloping roofline of the e-saloon. The EV has an aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.29 Cd.
In any case, for most families, the pure electric ë-C4 X has ample real-world range for day-to-day needs. Of course, the electric vehicle (EV) can also be used for motorway journeys. Expect a real-world emission-free range closer to 300 km.
The EV does incorporate regenerative braking and an onboard heat pump (as standard), to further enhance the efficiency of the vehicle. The EV has three driving modes: Eco, Normal or Sport, which can be activated by the mode selector in the centre console. To increase the e-range, the Eco mode will be the best choice.
The electric saloon offers DC charging up to 100 kW DC. Not class-leading, but it does get the job done. At 100 kW DC rapid charging, the EV can be charged up to 80% in 30 minutes. Put another way, you can add 100 km in 10 minutes.
In terms of performance, this family electric car, will not get you to pole position at the Grand Prix, but again, you would not expect that from a family saloon. The front-wheel drive ë-C4 X can achieve 0-100 km/h in 10 seconds (sport mode). The EV offers 260 Nm immediate torque (136 HP). The top speed of the electric car is 150 km/h.
Though the Citroen ë-C4 X has yet to complete its Euro NCAP rating, we expect it to be similar to the four-star NCAP rating achieved by the ë-C4 e-hatchback. The ë-C4 X has a host of driver aids and safety features, to include: 360 Vision, blind spot monitoring system, reversing camera, active safety brake, active lane departure warning system, extended traffic sign recognition and speed recommendation, coffee break alert and more! Other onboard technology includes: 5.5″ driver’s instrument cluster, 10″ touchscreen, Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto.
In terms of practicality, the boot is a decent size (510 L), though the opening of the boot does reduce its practicality. This may not seem significant, but consumers have benefited from the larger rear openings afforded by hatchbacks and SUVs i.e. five-doors are preferred to four-doors. Having said that, the ë-C4 hatchback has a much smaller boot (380 L) compared to the ë-C4 X saloon. The EV does not have a frunk and the EV cable can be stored under the boot floor.
Interior legroom is ample, even for taller adults. However, the sloping roofline (fastback) does impact the the headroom for taller adults seated on the rear seats. It also impacts the rear-view visibility. But where the e-saloon scores well, is in terms of cabin comfort, a key theme in Citroën’s proposition. On offer is the Advanced Comfort seats with a 15mm structured foam. The seats in the ë-C4 X recline more than the e-hatchback!
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Citroën electric car is not available in India.
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
An affordable electric saloon | Electric range is not class-leading |
Exceptionally comfortable interior | Rear boot opening not as practical as hatchback |
Heat pump as standard | Exterior styling unconventional |
The All-Electric Citroen ë-C4 X (credit: Citroen)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
Vehicle Type: | Saloon |
Engine: | Electric |
Available In India: | No |
Trims (1 Option) |
---|
Citroen ë-C4 X (from Rs N/A) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
---|---|
EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 50 kWh |
Charging: | 100 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger: 7.4 kW Standard (0%-100%: 7 hrs 30 mins)/ 11kW AC (0%-100%: 5 hrs) |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (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): | 1525 |
Width (mm): | 1834 |
Length (mm): | 4600 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2670 |
Turning Circle (m): | 10.9 |
Boot Space (L): | 510 |
ē-C4 X | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 50 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 353 – 357 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | 15.2 – 15.3 |
Charging: | 100 kW DC charging (10%-80%: 30 mins). Onboard charger: 7.4 kW Standard (0%-100%: 7 hrs 30 mins)/ 11kW AC (0%-100%: 5 hrs) |
Top Speed: | 150 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 10 seconds |
Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 100 |
Horsepower (hp): | 136 |
Torque (Nm): | 260 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 4 |
Unladen Weight (kg): | 1,621 |
Colours: | 6 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
Electric Driving: Top 5 EV Jargons For India
Many of us living in India, have now come across an electric car, like the Tata Nexon EV. Some have been fortunate enough to even drive in one, or even better, own an e-vehicle. Even though, India, is still at a nascent stage in terms of electric driving, the latest-generation of electric cars, like the all-electric Kia EV6, are already on roads in India. Of course, also on our roads are other Tata and Mahindra electric cars.
Despite the increased visibility of EVs in India, the vocabulary (jargon) used in electric driving is still new to consumers. In fact, for many, it can seem daunting and confusing. We have therefore put below some of the more commonly used terms in the EV glossary, to give you an easier introduction to electric driving in India!
EV Glossary: Top 5 | |
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DoD (Depth-Of-Charge): | What is Depth-Of-Charge? A battery’s Depth-of-Charge is the level of discharge of a battery. As you drive an EV, the battery is discharged. The DoD indicates the % that has been discharged relative to the capacity of a battery. Conversely, a State-of-Charge (SOC), is the percentage of capacity still available in a battery. If you use 25% of your EV battery capacity, then the DoD is 25% and the SOC is 75%. It is recommended not to fully discharge an electric car battery, as this reduces the lifespan of a battery. Automotive manufacturers publish recommend DoD levels for charging, but a charging range between 20% to 80% is ideal. |
EV Battery Life: | What is the life of an EV battery? Like petrol and diesel engines, electric car batteries also have a finite lifespan. Though EV battery technology has come a long way over the past few years, battery degradation is inevitable. Just as normal wear and tear is the case for an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. Currently most EV manufacturers are offering a warranty up to 8 years or 160,000 km. However, some automotive manufacturers are offering an even longer EV battery warranty. An example is the Japanese automotive manufacturer, Toyota. The company offers a 10 years EV battery warranty for the all-electric Toyota bZ4X SUV. In most cases, such warranties are up to 70% of the original EV battery capacity. The battery life is impacted by a number of factors, which in turn impacts battery electrical performance, to include, the range the electric car can travel. The most commonly used batteries in electric cars are lithium-ion batteries. |
Frunk: | What is a frunk? Though a frunk is not a new term, its availability is becoming more widespread with the development of electric vehicles (EVs). A frunk is a storage space/ compartment/ trunk in the front of a vehicle, rather than the rear. In the case of pure electric cars, given that these vehicles do not have an onboard internal combustion engine (ICE), there is space for a frunk. It is worth noting that a frunk is usually much smaller than a trunk, and in EVs, a good space for storing the EV cable. |
One-Pedal Driving: | What is one-pedal driving? In one-pedal driving, the EV slows down or stops, when the pedal is released. One-pedal functionality reduce the need to use the brake pedal, for speed reduction or stopping. Of course, the brake pedal is still the best way to hold a vehicle in place at a complete stop. |
WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure): | In a bid to continue to improve the quality of realistic data released by automotive manufacturers, on economy, range and CO2 emissions, Europe has implemented its first phase for the WLTP program. The testing procedures under WLTP will result in reduced ranges for electric cars released under other previous testing regimes. The WLTP is seen as a significant improvement over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) designed in the 1980s and based on theoretical driving. The WLTP has been developed with the aim of becoming a global standard, so that cars can be easily compared between regions. |
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