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 Jaguar F-PACE PHEV SUV
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Automotive PLC is a leading luxury vehicle manufacturer with a distinctive reputation of being British and iconic. However the automotive company is now owned by the Tata Group.
Tata acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motor Company in 2008. JLR continues to conduct its operations from Coventry in the United Kingdom. The company currently has the following battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs):
- Jaguar I-Pace
- Jaguar E-Pace
- Jaguar F-Pace
The conventional Jaguar F-PACE SUV was launched in 2016. Since then, Jaguar has also made this compact SUV available as a mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
If you are seeking luxury and performance, but with improved environmental credentials, the world of Jaguar plug-in electric cars is certainly worth considering. Of course, a premium badge does not come cheap, but the saving grace is the lower cost of driving using the pure electric mode in a PHEV.
The Jaguar F-PACE PHEV has a 17.1 kWh onboard EV battery, with a WLTP certified emission-free electric range up to 53 km. Though the F-PACE PHEV range is considerably lower than the pure electric Jaguar I-PACE, the claimed 53 km EV range is still useful and helps save money.
2/3rd of motorists drive at an average 50 km or less a day. This should not come as a surprise, as the majority of our commutes are shorter distances i.e. grocery store, school-runs, high street, work etc. Even assuming a real-world range for the F-PACE PHEV closer to 45 km, the EV can be used on a regular basis on the electric mode.
Moreover, the use of the EV mode will help improve the overall efficiency of the electric vehicle. The automotive manufacturer claims a fuel economy up to 2.2 l/100km, but expect the real-world fuel economy to be less efficient. Nevertheless, there is much to gain in improved fuel economy from a PHEV, compared to a conventional petrol or diesel variant. However, if the majority of your driving is on motorways, with limited use of the e-mode, expect a fuel economy closer to 4.0 l/100km.
To achieve the financial savings, charging the onboard EV battery on a regular basis is imperative. The Jaguar plug-in hybrid benefits from DC charging (not all PHEVs do!). You can charge up to 50 kW DC fast charging at public charging stations, to charge the EV battery from 0% – 80% in 30 minutes. Of course, DC charging station are still limited in India, but expect the electric car charging infrastructure to improve substantially in the coming years.
When charging at home, the EV can be charged via a 7 kW dedicated EV charger, overnight (up to 3 hours), when the electricity tariff rates are more attractive. We discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug for charging an electric car.
The F-PACE P400e AWD PHEV combines a 2.0-litre (4-cylinder) turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor. Despite the additional weight of the onboard EV battery, the EV delivers good performance. The F-PACE plug-in achieves 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds (maximum power: 404 PS/ maximum torque: 640 Nm). The top speed of the e-SUV is 240 km/h.
Both the exterior and interior of the EV are compelling, completed to a high quality standard and technical specification. The 12.3″ interactive driver display offers a variety of layouts, to include, full-screen 3D navigation, driving information etc. For an additional payment, there is also the head-up-display! In terms of practicality, the boot size of the PHEV is smaller (385 L) compared to the petrol variant, due to the placement of the onboard EV battery.
Jaguar offers a 8 years or 160,000 km warranty and the electric vehicle has been awarded a Five-Star NCAP Safety Rating. The EV has claimed tailpipe emissions up to 50g CO2/km. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet!
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Good looks and exterior styling | Expensive. Cheaper PHEV SUV alternatives available |
Good infotainment system and high quality interior | Smaller boot space compared to rivals |
Running on electric mode is cheap | Limited electric range |
The Jaguar F-PACE PHEV SUV (credit:JLR)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
Body Type: | SUV |
Engine: | Electric/ Petrol |
Available In India: | No |
Trims (1 Option) |
---|
Jaguar F-PACE (Rs N/A) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
---|---|
EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 17.1 kWh |
Charging: | 50 kW DC charging (0%-80%: 30 minutes). Onboard charger: 7 kW AC (0%-100%: 3hrs) |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 50g (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): | 1664 |
Width (mm): | 2071 |
Length (mm): | 4747 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2874 |
Turning Circle (m): | 11.59 |
Boot Space (L): | 385 |
P400e AWD Automatic PHEV | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 17.1 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 53 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | 217.7 |
Fuel Consumption (l/100km): | 2.2 |
Charging: | 50 kW DC charging (0%-80%: 30 minutes). Onboard charger: 7 kW AC (0%-100%: 3hrs) |
Top Speed: | 240 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 5.0 seconds |
Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 105 |
Max Power (PS): | 404 |
Torque (Nm): | 640 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 5 |
Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 2,189 |
Colours: | 11 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Global Electric Vehicle (EV) Market
Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), more commonly referred to simply as, electric vehicles (EVs) or as plug-in electric cars, have come a long way over the past decade and certainly a long way over the past 100 years.
Electric vehicles came into prominence in the early 1900’s, a time when horse-drawn carriages were the primary mode of transportation. Archived black and white photographs from that period show famous avenues like Madison Avenue in New York city filled with horse-drawn carriages. In stark contrast, a similar photograph taken a decade later of Madison Avenue showed not a single horse-drawn carriage. Instead the avenue was filled with motor vehicles, a new invention at that time.
We are now witnessing a similar fundamental shift in road transportation, as polluting internal combustion engines (ICE) petrol and diesel vehicles are being replaced by low-emission and zero-emission electric vehicles. In countries like the United Kingdom, a leader in e-mobility, we can expect a comprehensive replacement of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 (UK will ban the sale of new ICE cars in 2030). The UK is not the only country that has a vision of a mass transition to zero-tailpipe emission electric cars.
Since 2011, the global electric vehicle (EV) market has increased at a year-over-year growth rate of over 50%. In 2020, according to the Global EV Outlook 2021 report, the global stock of electric vehicles (EVs) had surpassed 10 million units.
In 2015, the Global stock was just over 1 million units. In 2020, Europe accounted for the largest share of new car registrations of EVs (1.4 million registered electric vehicles), followed by China (1.2 million electric vehicles). In Europe, countries like Norway, Iceland and Sweden continue to show strong leadership in the transition to electric driving. In Norway more than 75% of new cars are electric, followed by 50% in Iceland and 30% in Sweden.
However, this is not just a western phenomenon. A number of countries across the world have announced their support for electric cars, to include India. Pure electric cars are now common sightings in a number of global markets, and EV automotive manufacturers, like California based Tesla Motors are now household brands.
Traditional automotive manufactures have also shown significant commitment to the migration to electric engines, to include Volvo Cars, the Volkswagen Group, Renault, Nissan, Peugeot, Hyundai, Mercedes, Land Rover and many more. Forecast for the sale of EVs suggest up to 30 million electric vehicles to be sold before the end of the current decade.
Types Of Electric Vehicles (EVs)
“Electric vehicle” is an umbrella term, and a broad one at that. There are a number of different types of electric vehicles (EVs), each with its distinct characteristics and advantages. These include:
- BEVs: Battery-electric vehicles (pure electric)
- PHEVs: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) combined)
- MHEVs: Mild hybrid electric vehicles (internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel) along with regenerative braking)
- FCEVs: Fuel cell electric vehicle (electric with hydrogen as fuel)
The above “types” are powered either entirely or partially by electric energy and have different environmental impacts.
Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), also known as pure electric vehicles, are powered entirely by electricity (i.e. the vehicle does not have a conventional internal combustion engine). BEVs have zero-tailpipe emissions and help improve local air quality.
BEVs are also very economical to drive. A BEV can cost as little as Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive. Examples of best-selling EVs include, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 and the all-electric Renault Zoe.
A BEV is charged by plugging in the electric vehicle to a dedicated electric car charging station (home or public charging stations). BEVs are well suited for those living in towns, cities and urban centres. Of course, battery-electric vehicles are also suitable for those living in rural settings.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) differ from battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), in that, PHEVs use both a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric engine for propulsion. Plug-in hybrid vehicles combine the advantages of electric driving and internal combustion engine driving.
On shorter distances, the PHEV uses the electric mode to drive emission-free, using the on-board EV battery and regenerative braking. For longer distances, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles switches to using the internal combustion engine.
With a PHEV, the vehicle can cost as little Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive on e-mode, without any tailpipe pollution, and also be driven long-distances, without the fear of range anxiety! Most PHEVs have an EV battery of up to 15 kWh and can achieve a zero-emission electric range of up to 50 kilometres.
No wonder PHEVs are fast becoming popular globally, with much potential or India. Like a BEV, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is charged by using an external power source (EV charging point) for charging.
PHEVs are suitable for those that drive long-distances on a regular basis but want to lower the negative environmental impact from tailpipe pollution. PHEVs are also suitable for those individuals and families that are seeking to save money by taking advantage of electric driving. The Volvo XC40 PHEV and the Volkswagen Golf 8 are good examples of PHEVs.
Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs)
Mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) are a limited form of electric driving. These vehicles also use hybrid technologies (electric driving and internal combustion engine), but the EV battery is much smaller than a BEV or PHEV. Moreover, in a mild hybrid, the EV battery cannot be charged via an external source (i.e. EV charging station).
In a MHEV, the battery is charged by capturing the energy released during braking, a process known as regenerative braking. MHEVs have lower tailpipe emissions, and are more economical to own, run and maintain than petrol and diesel cars.
MHEVs are a better option than a petrol or diesel car, but not as good an option as a BEV or PHEV. Mild hybrids are well suited for those living in regions with limited charging infrastructure. Again, MHEVs have great potential in India, given the limited public EV charging infrastructure.
The Toyota Prius is a good example of a mild hybrid electric vehicle.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) also called hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, have a fuel cell stack that uses hydrogen to generate the electricity needed to power the electric vehicle.
The fuel cell generates electricity and pure water vapour that can escape via the tailpipe. It is capable of generating electricity as long as there is a steady supply of hydrogen. Fuel cell electric vehicles can be refuelled with hydrogen at purpose built filling stations. Filling an FEC takes no more than five minutes.
FCEVs have a range of about 500 kilometers or more between refueling. Today, the only and major limitation is the very limited hydrogen refuelling station network globally. The Toyota Mirai FCEV is a good example of this type of EV.
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