The Kia XCeed Plug-In Hybrid SUV: The Complete Guide For 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 Indian electric vehicle (EV) market and the benefits of zero-emission electric driving, simply scroll down to the end of the article!

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The Kia XCeed Compact PHEV SUV

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Kia Corporation, the South Korean automotive manufacturer is fast developing a portfolio of lower emission ‘eco’ vehicles, to include zero-emission battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and mild hybrids. The BEVs and PHEVs range includes:

• The all-electric Kia Niro EV
• The all-electric Kia Soul EV
• The all-electric Kia EV6
• Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
• Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid
• Kia XCeed Plug-In Hybrid
• Kia Ceed Sportswagon Plug-In Hybrid
• The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

The Kia XCeed compact crossover SUV has been manufactured since 2006. The XCeed was designed specifically for the European market. The model is currently in its third generation. The hybrid variant concept was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Auto Show. The Kia XCeed is available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

It is compact, stylish and is environmentally-friendly. The Kia XCeed electric vehicle (EV) is a relatively affordable PHEV. The Kia PHEV pairs a 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine (6-speed DCT transmission) with an electric motor (44.5 kW), powered by an onboard EV battery. The automotive manufacturer claims a fuel economy up to 201.8 mpg for the electric vehicle (EV).

Of course the real-world fuel economy will depend on a number of factors, but none as influential as using the e-mode. Bottom-line, to increase the fuel economy of the electric vehicle and lower the driving costs, the PHEV should be driven as much as possible on the pure electric mode. It is also far cheaper to drive on electric mode, compared to using the combustion engine.

Given the WLTP certified emission-free electric range is 29.8 miles, and most commutes are short, there is much scope for taking advantage of electric driving to save money. The PHEV has a 8.9 kWh onboard EV battery, which is reasonably standard for a PHEV of this size.

However, expect the real-world electric range to be closer to 25 miles. The EV range is impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, load, regenerative braking, road condition, weather, wheel size and a lot more. It is worth noting that Kia claims an emission-free electric range up to 36.6 miles for the 16″ wheel ‘3’ grade.

Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which again is as easy as charging a smartphone. We at e-zoomed recommend the use of a dedicated EV charging station, like easee to charge the EV.

We do not encourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug. Charging the EV using a single-phase EV charger will take up to 2 hours 15 minutes (0% → 100%). Of course, if you top up on a regular basis, the charging time will be faster. The EV incorporates a 3.3 kW AC onboard charger and is not capable of DC charging.

In terms of practicality, the EV has its limitation, given both the body style and the placement of the onboard EV battery. For adults, the rear seats are not as comfortable and the headroom is impacted by the roofline. Moreover, the boot size is small (291 L). If the rear seats are folded, the available cargo volume increases up to 1,243 L. However, the plug-in electric car is easy to drive and park, perfect for city and town centres.

The performance of the electric SUV will not exhilarate, but it does the job! The front-wheel drive XCeed Plug-In Hybrid can achieve 0-60 mph in 10.6 seconds, also benefiting from instant torque. The hybrid drivetrain delivers a maximum power of 139 bhp (torque 265 Nm), sufficient for city and motorway driving. The top speed is 99 mph. Do keep in mind that the additional weight of the onboard EV battery (117 kg) does impact the overall performance of the electric vehicle.

The Kia electric car has a decent level of standard specifications and safety features, to include: 10.25″ touchscreen satellite navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, reversing camera system, driver attention warning, hill-start assist control, intelligent stop & go, lane keep assist, blind-spot collision warning, forward collision-avoidance assist and more. Interior quality is decent and reflects the price tag of the EV.

The EV has claimed tailpipe emissions up to 38g 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 Kia plug-in electric car is not available in India.

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PROS	CONS
Affordable prices	Driving performance will not set the heart racing
Cheap to run on electric mode	Rear seats not as spacious as alternatives
Good standard specifications	On board charger limited to 3.3 kW. DC charging not available

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The Kia XCeed Compact PHEV SUV (credit: KIA)

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Driving an electric vehicle (EV) is cheaper than driving a petrol or diesel vehicle. As an example, in India, filling a full tank of fuel for the internal combustion engine (ICE) Tata Nexon SUV will cost up to Rs 5,000 (assuming an average cost per litre of Rs 100. The Tata Nexon has a fuel tank capacity of 44 L).

In comparison, the Tata Nexon Pure Electric SUV will cost less than Rs 300 for a full EV battery charge (EV Battery size: 30.2 kWh). In India, the average cost for residential electricity is between Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kWh(unit). Therefore the cost to drive per km (or mile) in a pure electric vehicle is substantially lower than a petrol or diesel vehicle.

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!

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

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Trims (1 Option)
XCeed PHEV

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 8.9 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.3 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs 15 mins)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	38g (CO2/km)
Warranty:	7 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):	1495
Width (mm):	1826
Length (mm):	4395
Wheelbase (mm):	2650
Turning Circle (m):	10.6
Boot Space (L):	291

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1.6 GDi PHEV
EV Battery Capacity:	8.9 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	29.8 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km):	N/A
Fuel Consumption (mpg):	201.8
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.3 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs 15 mins)
Top Speed:	99 mph
0-60 mph:	10.6 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	44.5
Max Power (bhp):	139 (combined)
Torque (Nm):	265 (combined)
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,596
Colours:	6
NCAP Safety Rating:	N/A

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India Electric Vehicle (EV) Market

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India, like many other countries, is well positioned to benefit from the shift to zero-tailpipe emission electric driving. Road transportation is a major contributor to air pollution (over 30%), choking our towns, cities and villages across India. Diesel vehicles, in particular, diesel trucks and diesel buses, are significant sources for tailpipe emissions. But given the rise in the standard of living, since liberalisation, the demand for privately owned passenger cars has increased at an unprecedented pace, further worsening the air quality. India has more than 3 crores (30 million) cars releasing tailpipe emissions on its roads!

Though we have seen some improvements in air quality during the ongoing pandemic (as a result of lower vehicle traffic), India’s shift to electric driving will be key in achieving long-term higher air quality. Of course, apart from EVs, the continued development of green and renewable energy infrastructure will be key in achieving lower long-term air pollution. India has already demonstrated global leadership in regards to large-scale solar and wind projects! Hopefully, India will replicate the success with zero-emission electric vehicles.

Despite recent announcements and support from local and national government agencies in India, the EV market is still at a nascent stage, well, at least in terms of electric cars and electric vans. Two-wheel electric scooters and three-wheel electric rickshaws (e-rickshaws) have demonstrated a strong uptake, and India is poised to become a global leader in electric scooters and electric rickshaws (e-tuk). In fact, the ubiquitous e-rickshaw commands an impressive 83% of the Indian electric vehicle market. India currently has over 15 lakhs (1.5 million) e-rickshaws, with each EV playing a role in reducing tailpipe emissions on our roads in India.

Sales of passenger electric cars is still at an early stage. In FY2021, though the market witnessed a growth of nearly 110% from the previous year, the absolute volume of cars sold was only 5,905 electric cars. Currently there are less that 15 pure electric car models available on sale in India.

Tata Motors, the biggest automotive manufacturer in India has launched the Tata Nexon electric SUV. Mahindra Electric, another leading Indian automotive manufacturer, has also launched a number of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), to include, the Mahindra eVerito electric car, Mahindra eSupro electric van and Mahindra e2o Plus compact electric car. International manufacturers, like UK based MG Motors, have also launched the MG ZS electric SUV in India. Also available are the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE SUV and the Hyundai Kona electric SUV.

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Benefits Of Electric Driving

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The benefits of electric driving are many, with significant advantageous over petrol and diesel internal combustion (ICE) engine cars, for all stakeholders. These benefits include:

• Lower to zero-tailpipe emissions
• Lower running costs
• Lower taxes
• Lower maintenance costs
• Lower noise pollution
• Convenience of charging at home
• Smoother drive
• Instant torque for acceleration
• Lower environmental impact

Below we have highlighted three of our favourite benefits of owning and driving an electric car.

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Improved Air Quality

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Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) or all-electric vehicles do not have tailpipe pollution. In fact, such electric cars do not even have a tailpipe! Zero-emission electric driving has a real and immediate impact on local air quality i.e. improving air quality. While, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have reduced tailpipe pollution compared to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. The sooner we migrate to electric driving in India, the sooner we can improve air quality for all our cities, towns and villages. Lower air pollution will also result in a reduced number of health issues arising from inhaling toxic pollutants.

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Lower Maintenance & Running Costs

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are cheaper to maintain and drive. Pure electric cars have far fewer moving parts compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The fewer the moving parts, the lower the probability of repair and maintenance. Moreover charging an electric car can cost as little Rs 50 per 100 kilometres! A full charge can cost between Rs 100 and Rs 200. Significantly cheaper than filling a tank of petrol or diesel!

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Lower Noise Pollution

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Yes, we in India are far more resilient to noise pollution than those living in the western world. We have certainly got used to horns blaring and engines roaring, day and night. But that does not mean we enjoy or welcome noise pollution. In fact, quite the opposite!

Though much focus has been on the advantageous of ‘air quality’ with an electric car, just as important, is the benefit of lower noise pollution. In fact, pure electric cars are silent, with an inbuilt ‘sound booster’ to increase road safety for pedestrians. As our cities in India and across the world become densely populated with cars, the significant negative impact on ‘quality of life’ as a result of increased noise pollution from petrol and diesel vehicles, is just as dangerous, as increased air pollution. Battery-electric cars are a perfect solution in reducing noise pollution and increasing the living standards for us all. Of course, one can only hope that the self inflicted ‘horn blaring’ pollution will also reduce!

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