The Porsche Cayenne E 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 different types of electric vehicles (EVs), simply scroll down to the end of the article!

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The Porsche Cayenne E Plug-In Hybrid SUV

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Stuttgart based Porsche is known for high-performance cars and is currently owned by the Volkswagen Group. Porsche has always had a close relationship with the Volkswagen Group, because the iconic VW Beetle was designed by Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of Porsche.

Apart from this, both VW and Porsche have collaborated on a number of platforms, to include, the Porsche Cayenne SUV. Porsche currently has the following electric vehicles (EVs) in its portfolio:

• The all-electric Porsche Taycan
• The Panamera E plug-in hybrid
• The Cayenne E plug-in hybrid

The Porsche Cayenne luxury SUV has been available since 2002. It is the first Porsche vehicle with four doors. It is also Porsche’s first off-road since the tractors of the 1950’s. The Porsche Cayenne uses the same platform as the Volkswagen Touareg and the Audi Q7. The plug-in E-hybrid variant was introduced in 2014 at the Paris Motor Show.

SUV’s have been the rage for sometime, with consumers demonstrating an insatiable appetite for premium badge upmarket models. Luxury automotive brands like Porsche cannot deliver enough. However, with the continued increase in fuel prices and the focus on ‘environment-friendly’ transportation, premium SUVs that deliver improved fuel efficiency and lower tailpipe emissions will succeed long-term.

Though the Porsche Cayenne plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a step in the right direction i.e. the PHEV has a claimed fuel economy up to 3.1 l/100km and reduced tailpipe emissions (92g CO2/km), there is still much scope for improvement in delivering even better fuel efficiency and lower tailpipe emissions. The conventional internal combustion engine variant has tailpipe emissions up to 319g CO2/km, so best to avoid!

If the Porsche PHEV is driven mostly on motorways, with limited used of the onboard electric motor (powered by the EV battery), the fuel economy will resemble that closer to an internal combustion engine (ICE) variant. To get anywhere close to the Porsche claimed fuel economy, the e-mode electric driving will have to be leveraged a fair amount!

The Porsche plug-in electric SUV has a 17.9 kWh onboard EV battery, with a claimed zero-emission electric range up to 45 km (WLTP certified). Though the size of the EV battery and claimed range is typical of PHEVs of this type, the latest generation of PHEVs are offering a larger EV battery and a higher emission-free pure electric range.

Do keep in mind that the real-world EV range will be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, passenger load, weather, road condition, wheel size etc. Assuming a 35 km emission-free electric range is more realistic, which will be sufficient for most shorter commutes, but disappointing nevertheless. The EV also has regenerative braking to increase the efficiency of the vehicle i.e. improving the electric range.

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 discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for charging an electric car. A ‘topping up’ approach to charging will help improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle and also improve the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Porsche offers a 8 years or 160,000 km warranty.

Despite the premium price tag, Porsche does not offer a 7kW onboard charger as standard. Instead the manufacturer offers a 3.6 kW onboard charger as standard (full charge in 4 hours), with an option to upgrade to 7.2 kW. We would certainly recommend upgrading to the 7.2 kW onboard charger to increase charging speeds (full charge in 2 hours). The EV does not offer DC charging capability.

As one can expect, a Porsche never disappoints when it comes to quality and performance. The Cayenne PHEV is no different. The entry level Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid combines a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine with an electric motor (100 kW) to deliver 462 PS and 700 Nm torque.

The EV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds and has a 253 km/h top speed (pure electric mode: 134 km/h). Of course, the other more expensive trims offer even superior performance. You get the point!

In terms of interior quality, features and technology, the plug-in electric SUV does not disappoint. The interior cabin is luxurious and finished to an exceedingly high standard and feature/ technology-filled, to include: park assist (front and rear), distance warning, reversing camera, 12.3-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a lot more.

Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Porsche plug-in hybrid SUV is available in India.

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PROS	CONS
Fantastic looking & stylish	Expensive. Cheaper PHEV SUV alternatives available
Powerful and fast performance	Limited electric range
Luxurious, comfortable & fun to drive	7.2 kW on board charger not standard on all models

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The Porsche Cayenne PHEV SUV (credit:Porsche)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Vehicle Type:	SUV
Engine:	Petrol/ Electric
Available In India:	Yes

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Trims (4 Options)
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid (from Rs 1.70 Cr)
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Platinum Edition (from Rs 1.88 Cr)
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe (price not available)
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe Platinum Edition (from Rs 1.88 Cr)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 17.9 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.6 kW AC as standard (0% – 100%: 4 hrs)/ 7.2 kW AC available as an upgrade option (0% – 100%: 2 hrs)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	92 – 71g (CO2/km)
Warranty:	8 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):	1696
Width (mm):	1983
Length (mm):	4918
Wheelbase (mm):	2895
Turning Circle (m):	12.10
Boot Space (L):	645

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Cayenne E-Hybrid
EV Battery Capacity:	17.9 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	45 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	26.5 – 25.1
Fuel Consumption (l/100km):	3.7 – 3.1
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.6 kW AC as standard (0% – 100%: 4 hrs)/ 7.2 kW AC available as an upgrade option (0% – 100%: 2 hrs)
Top Speed:	253 km/h
0-100 km/h:	5.0 seconds
Drive:	All-wheel drive (AWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	100 KW (electric)
Max Power (PS):	462 (combined)
Torque (Nm):	700 (combined)
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Unladen Weight EC (kg):	2,370
Colours:	11
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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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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