The Vauxhall Grandland 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 and global electric vehicle (EV) market, simply scroll down to the end of the article!

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The Vauxhall Grandland X PHEV SUV

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Vauxhall Motors (Opel) is part of the Netherlands based Stellantis N.V., which was formed by the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (Italian/ American) and Groupe PSA (French). You may not be familiar with these names, but the automotive brands in the portfolio would be well known to most consumers. These include: Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Jeep, FIAT, Alfa Romeo etc. The Vauxhall electric vehicle (EV) portfolio includes both, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models:

• Vauxhall Mokka-e SUV
• Vauxhall Corsa-e Hatchback
• Vauxhall Grandland Plug-In Hybrid
• Vauxhall Astra Hybrid-e hatchback
• Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer

Vauxhall (Opel) Grandland SUV was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2017. The SUV went on sale in 2018. The Grandland PHEV SUV is the first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) from Vauxhall.

The updated New Grandland PHEV exterior styling is bold and head-turning. Vauxhall has given this family SUV a comprehensive makeover, to include the interior. For those families keen on a stylish, yet environmentally- friendly SUV, at a more affordable price point, the Grandland PHEV is worth considering.

The Vauxhall Grandland plug-in electric has a 13.2 kWh onboard EV battery, with a WLTP certified zero-emission electric range up to 39 miles. The claimed EV range is certainly higher than the average for PHEVs in this segment. However, do keep in mind, that the real-world electric range will be far lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, road and weather conditions, speed, regenerative braking profile, passenger load etc. Assuming a 34 miles pure electric range is more realistic, but still very useful.

Vauxhall pairs a 1.6-litre (4-cylinder) turbo petrol engine with the electric motor, powered by the onboard EV battery. The automotive manufacturer claims a fuel economy up to 192 mpg for the plug-in electric car. But of course, as is the case with the real-world EV range, the real-world fuel economy will depend on a number of factors, and will be lower than the claimed economy.

However, the e-SUV will still have a better fuel economy compared to the conventional petrol or diesel variant. In terms of performance, the front-wheel drive Grandland EV can achieve 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds. The total system output is 225 PS and 140 mph top speed. The EV has three driving modes: standard hybrid mode, sport mode, electric-only. The sport mode will give higher performance but lower zero-emission e-range. Vauxhall has incorporated an i-booster system to recover energy to improve the efficiency of the EV range.

The electric vehicle (EV) offers a good level of standard equipment and features, to include: 10-inch infotainment touchscreen/ 12-inch digital cluster (Pure Panel), night vision technology, 360° panoramic parking camera, highway integration assist, side blind spot alert, smartphone integration (Apple Car Play &Android Auto), wireless charging, power operated tailgate and more.

The Grandland plug-in hybrid is not compatible with DC charging. But this is the case with many PHEVs in this segment. The 3.3 kW onboard charger will charge the EV in 3 hours 30 minutes, while the upgraded 6.6 kW option will fully charge the EV in 1 hour 45 minutes. 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 smart phone. 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.

The Grandland PHEV offers decent practicality, despite the incorporation of the onboard EV battery. There is ample headroom and legroom to seat adults comfortably. The EV offers up to 514 L cargo volume. The PHEV has tailpipe emissions up to 31g CO2/km, much lower, compared to the conventional combustion engine variant (159g CO2/km). Lower tailpipe emissions equates to lower local air pollution.

The Grandland plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is not available in India.

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PROS	CONS
Good exterior styling	Standard onboard charger 3.3 kW
Improved interior cabin and good level of standard equipment	Not available as a four-wheel drive
Useful emission-free electric range	Cheaper alternatives

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The Vauxhall Grandland X PHEV (credit: Vauxhall)

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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:	SUV
Engine:	Petrol/Electric
Available In India:	No

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Trims (2 Options)
GS Line
Ultimate

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 13.2 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.3 kW AC as standard (0% – 100%: 3 hrs 30 mins). 6.6kW AC optional (0% – 100%: 1 hr 45 mins)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	31g (CO2/km)
EV Battery Warranty:	8 years/100,000 miles/70% capacity

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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):	1609
Width (mm):	1906
Length (mm):	4477
Wheelbase (mm):	2675
Turning Circle (m):	11.05
Boot Space (L):	514

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1.6 (225PS) Direct Injection Turbo/ Electric FWD
EV Battery Capacity:	13.2 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	39 miles
Fuel Consumption (mpg):	192 miles (combined)
EV Operation Efficiency (kWh/100km):	16.1 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.3 kW AC as standard (0% – 100%: 3 hrs 30 mins). 6.6kW AC optional (0% – 100%: 1 hr 45 mins)
Top Speed:	140 mph (on pure electric mode: 84 mph)
0-60 mph:	8.6 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	N/A
Max Power (PS):	225 (combined)
Torque (Nm):	300
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,350 – 1,470
Colours:	5
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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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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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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