When a car is labelled as an EV or Electric Vehicle, or Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) it means that the car is solely reliant on a lithium-ion battery for energy. The stored energy is used to power an electric motor which provides power to the wheels. All EVs will deliver 100% emission-free driving performance. Some Kia models can reach up to 528km of range on a single charge with the Peugeot E 208 delivering up to 340km of range. Battery size/capacity typically determines the potential driving range of an EV.
All EVs can charge on the ESB public charging network that has stations dotted nationally throughout Ireland. An added beneift of EVs is the ease of drivability that they offer to consumers with a simple Automatic gearbox that delivers power to the wheels seamlessly.
Home chargers are now included with specific Opel and Kia offers (Read More). All EVs run off a DC current despite being charged using AC 230V electricity as you have in your home. The car's onboard converter transfers the AC current into DC so that it can be stored in the battery. This is part of the reason why slow charging is available at home or at most public charging points. High-speed public chargers are available near Motorways and Service Stations that deliver the power using DC current directly to the car and thus helping it charge rapidly compared to AC. Read More
Naturally, an EV is best suited to anyone who wants to achieve 100% emission-free driving. Not just those who are active about reversing their impact on the environment though, the EV is here to stay long into the future and many drivers enjoy the driving characteristics that it brings. The limited range does mean that EVs are best suited to those that don't regularly exceed the quoted distances and range capabilities. As the charging network continues to evolve, many small towns and rural beauty spots will be well within the bounds of most EV drivers.
E 208 100kW 136HP
Battery Consumption (WLTP, Combined Driving Profile)
15.4 kWh/100km
Emissions (WLTP, Combined Driving Profile)
CO2 0g/km
NOx 0mg/km
*Price includes SEAI Grant