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 Fisker Ocean SUV
Fisker Inc. is an early stage sustainability focussed electric vehicle (EV) company based in California. The company was co-founded in 2016 by Henrik Fisker. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: FSR) and is currently promoting its first electric vehicle, the all-electric Fisker Ocean SUV.
The company is unique, in that, its business model is based on outsourcing manufacturing. Fisker has secured an agreement with Magna Steyr, an international auto supplier that also manufactures vehicles. Fisker has also signed an agreement with Foxconn, to co-develop an electric vehicle.
Though Henrik Fisker is not as well known as Elon Musk, the co-founder of Tesla Inc., Henrik Fisker has also been an influential figure in the global automotive sector, with a strong track record as a car designer. His first EV company, Fisker Automotive (launched in 2007), had launched the Fisker Karma electric vehicle, one of the first production plug-in luxury hybrids. Despite having sold more than 2,500 EVs, Fisker Automotive suspended trading in 2012. The business was purchased by a Chinese company, however, Henrik retained the Fisker trademarks.
In July 2020, Fisker Inc. announced an IPO on the NYSE via a merger with Spartan Energy Acquisition Corp, backed by the private equity firm Apollo Global Management. In October 2020, the company completed its reverse merger. The company currently has a market capitalisation of over USD$ 5 billion.
The EV manufacturer claims that is first electric SUV, is the ‘world’s most sustainable vehicle’ and the ‘world’s greenest car’.
In March 2019, Fisker announced its intention to launch a pure electric SUV, which was later named the Fisker Ocean. The Fisker Ocean concept vehicle was launched at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The ‘production-intent’ version of the new Fisker electric SUV was launched in November 2021 at the Los Angeles Motor Show. The Fisker Ocean One will be limited to 5,000 units globally. The EV will be manufactured in Graz, Austria.
The pure electric Fisker Ocean has an estimated WLTP range between 435 km to 627 km. Except for the Sport variant, all other variants are all-wheel drive (AWD). The Sport is front-wheel drive (FWD). The Fisker EV has a full-length SolarSky roof as standard, which combines as a sunroof and also a solar energy generator to further enhance the zero-emission range of the electric vehicle. The SolarSky is expected to produce between 2,400 to 3,200 additional kms per year.
‘Sustainability’, the core brand theme is encapsulated in the choice of materials used for the pure electric SUV. The EV is designed to be the most ‘sustainable SUV on earth’ including a vegan interior, recycled plastics bottles, repurposed rubber waste, worn-out t-shirts and abandoned fishing nets!
The EV is also equipped with Vehicle-To-Grid technology (V2G) with a bidirectional on-board charger, capable of powering your home in an emergency. The company claims its ‘PowerHouse’ capability can power a home for up to 7 days! Other interesting features include the touchscreen (17.1-inch) ability to revolve, automatic parking assist system, California Mode (streaming fresh air), Fisker HyperSound and Limo Mode.
The Fisker Ocean will be available as an outright purchase and also as a subscription option. The EV is positioned to compete against electric vehicles, like the all-electric Tesla Model Y. The automotive company has also established operations in India (Hyderabad, Telangana) for the purpose of vehicle-software development and related services. The company is also committed to launching the Fisker Ocean and Fisker Pear EVs in India.
PROS | CONS |
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Good zero-emission range (up to 627 km) | Limited track record (first vehicle under production) |
Attractive exterior styling to include solar enabled panoramic sunroof | Cheaper pure electric SUV alternatives available from established automotive manufactures |
Sustainably sourced materials for the interior | Local manufacturing yet to be established |
The All-Electric Fisker Ocean SUV (credit: Fisker Inc.)
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!
At A Glance | |
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EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
Vehicle Type: | SUV |
Engine: | Electric |
Available In India: | No |
Variants (4 Options) |
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Fisker Ocean One (Launch Edition) |
Fisker Ocean Extreme |
Fisker Ocean Ultra |
Fisker Ocean Sport |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
---|---|
EV Battery Type: | Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC)/ Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) |
EV Battery Capacity: | N/A |
Charging: | N/A |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
Warranty: | N/A |
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 | |
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Height (mm): | 1628 |
Width (mm): | 1994 |
Length (mm): | 4775 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2921 |
Turning Circle (m): | N/A |
Boot Space (L): | N/A |
Fisker Ocean One | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | N/A |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 627 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | N/A |
Charging: | N/A |
Top Speed: | N/A |
0-100 km/h: | 3.6 seconds |
Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
Max Power (HP): | 540 |
Torque (Nm): | N/A |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 5 |
Weight (kg): | N/A |
Colours: | 14 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
BEVs Vs PHEVs: Which Is Better?
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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