The Skoda Octavia Plug-In Hybrid Estate: 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 Skoda Octavia PHEV Estate

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Skoda Auto, more commonly referred to as Skoda, is headquartered in the Czech Republic. The company was established in 1895.  In 1991, the company become part of the German automotive group, Volkswagen. Skoda vehicles are sold in over 100 countries.

Skoda is committed to an electrification strategy, to include, launching up to 10 electric vehicles, with 6 pure-electric models by 2025.  According to the company, “By 2022, we will be investing a full two billion Euros into eMobility and new mobile services. These investments encompass new products and the production, purchase, quality and launch of new electric vehicles.”

The Citigo-e IV is the first all-electric vehicle from Skoda targeted at the urban consumer. Order books for this BEV opened in December 2019. The all-electric SKODA ENYAQ iV is the first pure electric SUV from SKODA. The e-SUV went on sale in 2020. The SKODA electric vehicles range includes:

• SKODA ENYAQ iV SUV
• SKODA ENYAQ Coupé iV SUV
• SKODA OCTAVIA plug-in hybrid hatchback
• SKODA OCTAVIA plug-in hybrid estate
• SKODA SUPERB plug-in hybrid hatchback
• SKODA SUPERB iV plug-in hybrid estate

The Skoda Octavia family car has been manufactured since 1996. The model is currently on its fourth generation. The Octavia has sold well since its introduction, with more than five million cars sold. The fourth generation Octavia was unveiled in Prague in November 2019. Deliveries commenced in 2020. The Skoda Octavia is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Skoda has developed rather successfully a reputation for ‘value for money’ in relation to family cars, and in particular, the Octavia estate has achieved leadership in its segment. Given that the availability of practical and affordable estate electric cars is limited, the Skoda Octavia plug-in hybrid is well positioned for families and company-car drivers seeking a spacious, affordable and environmentally-friendly car.

The Skoda Octavia estate plug-in hybrid has a 13 kW onboard EV battery, quite typical for PHEVs in this price segment. The manufacturer claims an EV range up to 70 km (WLTP certified). Even adjusting for real-world driving, the electric car should be able to achieve up to 55 km, which is reasonably good in comparison to other plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Do keep in mind that the majority of family trips are short distances i.e. school-runs, grocery store, shopping etc. The average distanced travelled in a day is 50 km, so an electric range up to 55 km is more than sufficient to take advantage of the benefits of electric driving. Even, for those that drive to work, driving on electric mode works well, as the electric car can be charged at home and at work (workplace EV charging)! For those weekend getaways, the petrol engine can be utilised for the longer drives.

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. Skoda offers a 8 years or 160,000 km warranty.

The PHEV is not DC charging compatible (most PHEVs are not) and has a 3.6 kW onboard charger. The PHEV can be fully charged in 3.5 hours. Using a 3-PIN socket will take up to 5 hours. In any case, we at e-zoomed recommend charging the EV overnight, when the electricity tariff rates are cheaper. Of course, we also encourage using green energy to charge the EV!

Moreover, driving on e-mode improves the efficiency of the electric vehicle i.e. lower motoring costs! Skoda claims the PHEV has a fuel economy up to 1.0 l/100km. Real-world economy will certainly be less efficient, but substantially better compared to the conventional internal combustion (ICE) variant.

The Octavia plug-in electric car offers decent performance, appropriate for this type of family estate car. The 1.4-litre TSI iV petrol engine (4-cylinders) is paired with an electric motor. The plug-in electric car can achieve 0-100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. The top speed of the EV is 220 km/h. The total system performance is up to 245 PS and 250 Nm torque. Certainly suitable for city and motorway driving. Of course, do keep in mind that the EV also benefits from instant torque.

Practicality is a strong point for the Octavia PHEV. The vehicle offers generous interior cabin space for front and rear seat passengers, to include legroom and headroom. The EV is certainly comfortable. The boot space has been reduced due to the placement of the onboard EV battery. Nevertheless there is up to 490 L cargo volume on offer!

The EV has significantly lower tailpipe emission (27g CO2/km) compared to the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant (157g CO2/km). Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The PHEV is not available in India.

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PROS	CONS
A value for money plug-in family estate car	Lacks fun factor
Decent level of standard equipment	On board charger limited to 3.6 kW AC
Cheap to run on electric mode	Exterior styling lacks inspiration

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The Skoda Octavia Plug-In Hybrid Estate (credit: Skoda)

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

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Trims (1 Option)
Skoda Octavia Plug-In Hybrid (Rs N/A)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 13 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3.5 hrs)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	23 – 27g (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):	1500
Width (mm):	1829
Length (mm):	4702
Wheelbase (mm):	2680
Turning Circle (m):	11.1
Boot capacity (L):	490

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Plug-In Hybrid 1.4 TSI iV
EV Battery Capacity:	13.0 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	70 km
Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km):	143 – 147
Fuel Consumption (l/100km)	1.0 – 1.2
Charging:	DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3.5 hrs)
Top Speed:	220 km/h
0-100 km/h:	7.8 seconds
Drive:	Available in FWD and AWD
Electric Motor (kW):	N/A
Max Power (PS):	204 – 245
Torque (Nm):	250
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Total Weight (kg):	2,090 – 2,163
Colours:	7 – 10
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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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!

Types Of Electric Vehicles (EVs)

“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.

Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

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.

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

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.

Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs)

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.

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)

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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