The All-Electric MG ZS EV 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:

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The MG ZS Electric SUV

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MG Motor UK Limited (MG Motor), is a UK headquartered British automotive manufacturer, now owned by the Chinese automotive company, SAIC Motor. SAIC is owned by the Chinese government and headquartered in Shanghai. MG was owned by MG Rover up to 2005, before the collapse of the company. The automotive company currently has the following battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) on sale:

• MG ZS EV
• MG5 EV
• MG4 EV
• MG HS Plug-In Hybrid

The pure electric MG ZS EV was unveiled in 2016 at the Guangzhou Auto Show. The e-SUV was launched in 2017 in China. Since its launch, the MG ZS EV has always had a decent proposition on offer, in particular, for those families seeking affordability and ‘value for money’ in a pure electric family car.

However, with the 2022 update of the electric vehicle (EV), the proposition has become more appealing for those families and company-car drivers seeking an affordable and practical electric car. As part of the 2022 update, MG updated both the size of the EV battery and introduced a second EV battery choice.

The MG ZS EV is now available in two EV battery sizes: 51.1 kWh and 72.6 kWh (Long Range). Before the update the EV was only available in only one battery size (44.5 kWh). However, the second EV battery option is not available in India.

The choice of two EV battery sizes increases the potential customer base, as not every EV driver needs a large onboard EV battery and long electric range. Both battery sizes offer a useful and practical pure electric range. The 51.1 kWh has a range up to 318 km (WLTP), while the 72.6 kWh offers a range up to 440 km (WLTP).

Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, both options remain useful! For the 51.1 kWh expect a real-world emission-free e-range closer to 270 km, while for the larger battery, 375 km will be more realistic.

The MG EV incorporates a single-phase (7 KW AC) onboard charger. More than adequate for EV home charging in India, given that the majority of homes have single-phase power supply. The 51.1 kWh EV can be fully charged in 8 hours using a dedicated residential EV charger like easee. The MG ZS EV Long Range can be full charged in 10 hours and 30 minutes.

We at e-zoomed recommend charging overnight when the electricity prices are lower. We also recommend charging on a regular basis. This way charging times are reduced and regular charging is good for the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. MG offers a 7 years or 160,000 km warranty.

The MG ZS electric SUV also offers DC charging capability. Using a 100 kW DC rapid charger, the 51.1 kWh EV can be charged from 10%-80% in 36 minutes. The 72.6 kWh can be charged up to 80% in 42 minutes. Of course, a 50 kW DC charger will be slower: the 51.1 kWh can be charged up to 80% in 54 minutes, while the Long Range battery will take 63 minutes.

In terms of the exterior styling, the latest update has improved the appeal of the EV. However, neither the exterior or the interior is class-leading, but it gets the job done.

MG offers a host of safety features (MG Pilot Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) and technology, to include: active emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, lane keep assist with lane departure warning system, traffic jam assist, intelligent speed limit assist, blind spot detection with lane change assist, 10.1″ colour touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 360o parking camera and more. The EV is practical for front and rear seat passengers. The available boot space is 470 L.

In terms of performance, the front-wheel drive MG ZS EV achieves 0-100 km/h in 8.0 seconds for the standard EV battery. The Long Range is a little slower and achieves 0-100 km/h in 8.2 seconds. The EV delivers a maximum power up to 176 PS (torque: 280 Nm). The top speed is 175 km/h.

Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The MG ZS EV is available in India.

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PROS	CONS
An affordable family electric car	Driving performance will not set the heart racing
Available in two EV battery sizes	Only available as front-wheel drive
Decent pure electric range	Interior quality can be improved

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The All-Electric MG ZS EV SUV (credit: MG)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Body Type:	SUV
Engine:	Electric
Available In India:	Yes

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Variants (2 Options)
MG ZS EV Excite: 51.1 kWh(from Rs 22.98 Lakhs)
MG ZS EV Exclusive: 51.1 kWh(from Rs 26.89 Lakhs)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in two battery size: 51.1 kWh/ 72.6 kWh
Charging:	100 kW DC Rapid Charging. Onboard charger: 7 kW AC
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	0g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	7 years or 160,000 km

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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):	1625 – 1649
Width (mm):	1809
Length (mm):	4323
Wheelbase (mm):	2581
Turning Circle (m):	11.2
Boot Space (L):	470

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MG ZS EV
EV Battery Capacity:	51.1 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	318 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	17.3
Charging:	100 kW Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 36 mins). Onboard charger: 7 kW AC (0%-100%: 8 hrs)
Top Speed:	175 km/h
0-100 km/h:	8.0 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	N/A
Maximum Power (PS):	176
Torque (Nm):	280
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,570 – 1,610
Colours:	4
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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MG ZS EV Long Range
EV Battery Capacity:	72.6 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	440 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	17.8
Charging:	100 kW Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 42 mins). Onboard charger: 7 kW AC (0%-100%: 10.5 hrs)
Top Speed:	175 km/h
0-100 km/h:	8.2 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	N/A
Maximum Power (PS):	156
Torque (Nm):	280
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,620
Colours:	4
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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Global Electric Vehicle (EV) Market

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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.

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Types Of Electric Vehicles (EVs)

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“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.

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Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

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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.

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Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

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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.

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Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs)

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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.

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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)

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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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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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