Electric Cars: The Basics
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!
Sign up to the newsletter
The Porsche Taycan Electric Saloon
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 Taycan battery electric vehicle (BEV) was initially previewed as the Mission E concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015. Taycan (Turkish) translates as ‘lively young horse’ in reference to the ‘leaping horse’ in the Porsche crest (Porsche confirmed the name in 2017).
Taycan has taken inspiration from both the Porsche Panamera and the Porsche 911. The Taycan is built on an entirely new platform codenamed J1. Projected production of 40,000 units per year.
The Porsche electric car is available as a saloon and estate body type (Turismo). The Porsche electric vehicle is available in both, front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) variants. As a sports saloon, the manufacturer offers the EV in 5 variants: Taycan, Taycan 4S, Taycan GTS, Taycan Turbo and Taycan Turbo S. The Turismo estate body style is available as Sport Turismo and Cross Turismo.
The entry-level saloon Taycan is available in two EV battery options: 79.2 kWh (Performance Battery) and 93.4 kWh (Performance Battery Plus). The manufacturer claims an electric range up to 444 km (WLTP) for the Performance Battery and an electric range up to 505 km (WLTP) for the Performance Battery Plus.
The entry-level Taycan Sports Turismo is also available two EV battery options: 79.2 kWh (Performance Battery) and 93.4 kWh (Performance Battery Plus). The manufacturer claims an electric range up to 431 km (WLTP) for the Performance Battery and an electric range up to 490 km (WLTP) for the Performance Battery Plus. The entry-level Taycan Cross Turismo is available only in one EV battery option: 93.4 kWh (Performance Battery Plus). The manufacturer claims an electric range up to 489 km (WLTP).
Of course, the real-world range will be lower, impacted by a number of factors. For those new to electric driving, it is worth noting that the real-world EV range is influenced by driving profile, weather conditions, road conditions, passenger load, regenerative braking profile and more! In any case, the electric range offered by the Taycan electric car is impressive and is sufficient for most day-to-day driving needs and longer distance motorway driving.
The manufacturer also offers a 3-phase 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard. However, as most homes in India are limited to single-phase power supply, taking advantage of the 11 kW charging speed will only be for those with access to 3-phase EV charging at home, workplace or a public charging station.
Using a dedicated three-phase (11 kW) EV charger, like the 22 kW easee EV charger, the Taycan electric car can be fully charged in 4.5 hours for the Performance Battery and in 5 hours for the Performance Battery Plus. Single-phase 7.4 kW charging will take longer. We at e-zoomed recommend charging overnight at home, when the electricity tariff rates are cheaper. The EV offers DC charging up to 220 kW DC.
As one can expect, a Porsche never disappoints when it comes to performance. The rear-wheel drive (RWD) entry-level saloon Taycan can achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds (max power: 380 PS/ torque: 357 Nm). The all-wheel drive (AWD) entry-level Taycan Sports Turismo also delivers a similar performance. The EV can achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds (max power: 380 PS/ torque: 357 Nm). The top speed for both the saloon and sports Turismo is 230 km/h. The all-wheel drive (AWD) entry-level Taycan Cross Turismo can achieve 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds (max power: 380 PS/ torque: 500 Nm). The top speed is 230 km/h.
The electric vehicle (EV) is without an iota of doubt, stunning in design, style, quality and performance. But it has its limitations in terms of interior space, to include the limited headroom for rear seat passengers and small boot. Having said that, the pure electric Taycan is exhilarating to drive and perfect for consumers that want to own a Porsche, but with stronger environmental credentials!
The Porsche Taycan electric saloon is available in India.
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Fantastic looking, luxurious and comfortable | Expensive. Cheaper pure electric alternatives available |
Powerful and fast electric performance | Electric range not as good as other EVs |
DC charging up to 270 kW | Limited space in the rear and boot |
The All-Electric Porsche Taycan (credit:Porsche)
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!
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV) |
Vehicle Type: | Saloon |
Engine: | Electric |
Available In India: | Yes |
Trims (7 Options) |
---|
Taycan (from Rs. 1.53 Crore) |
Taycan 4S (from Rs. 1.66 Crore) |
Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (from Rs 1.73 Crore) |
Taycan GTS (from Rs N/A) |
Taycan Turbo (from Rs 2.12 Crore) |
Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo (from Rs 2.14 Crore) |
Taycan Turbo S (from Rs 2.33 Crore) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
---|---|
EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in two battery sizes: 79.2 kWh (performance battery)/ 93.4 kWh (performance battery plus) |
Charging: | Up to 270 kW DC Rapid Charging. Onboard charger 11 kW AC |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 0g (CO2/km) |
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 (Saloon) | |
---|---|
Height (mm): | 1395 |
Width (mm): | 1966 |
Length (mm): | 4963 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2900 |
Turning Circle (m): | 11.7 |
Boot Space (L): | 407 |
Taycan Saloon | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 79.2 kWh (Performance Battery) 93.4 kWh (Performance Battery Plus) |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 372 – 444 km (Performance Battery) 431 – 505 km (Performance Battery Plus) |
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | Up to 25.4 |
Charging: | Up to 270 kW DC Rapid Charging. Onboard charger 11 kW AC |
Top Speed: | 230 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 5.4 seconds |
Drive: | Rear-wheel drive (RWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 240 KW – 280 kW |
Max Power (PS): | 326 – 380 |
Torque (Nm): | 345 – 357 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 4 |
Doors: | 4 |
Unladen Weight (kg): | 2,050 |
Colours: | 17 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Taycan Sport Turismo | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 79.2 kWh (Performance Battery) 93.4 kWh (Performance Battery Plus) |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 357 – 431 km (Performance Battery) 416 – 490 km (Performance Battery Plus) |
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | Up to 25.4 |
Charging: | Up to 270 kW DC Rapid Charging. Onboard charger 11 kW AC |
Top Speed: | 230 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 5.4 seconds |
Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 240 KW – 280 kW |
Max Power (PS): | 326 – 380 |
Torque (Nm): | 345 – 357 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 4 |
Doors: | 4 |
Unladen Weight EC (kg): | 2,080 |
Colours: | 17 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Taycan Cross Turismo | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 93.4 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 415 – 489 km |
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km): | Up to 25.4 |
Charging: | Up to 270 kW DC Rapid Charging. Onboard charger 11 kW AC |
Top Speed: | 230 km/h |
0-100 km/h: | 5.1 seconds |
Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 280 kW |
Max Power (PS): | 380 |
Torque (Nm): | 500 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 4 |
Doors: | 4 |
Unladen Weight EC (kg): | 2,245 |
Colours: | 17 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
India Electric Vehicle (EV) Market
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.
Benefits Of Electric Driving
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.
Improved Air Quality
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.
Lower Maintenance & Running Costs
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!
Lower Noise Pollution
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!
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.