The content of the article:
- Rating of popular electric cars in 2017
- Tesla Model S 85D
- Tesla model x
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- BYD e6
- Volkswagen e-Golf
- Hyundai Ioniq Electric
- Ford Focus Electric
- Bmw i3
- Nissan leaf
- Kia Soul EV
- Pros and cons of electric cars
The history of electric vehicles has gone through generations of changes. The first models of electric cars could drive a maximum of several kilometers, and therefore skeptics said that vehicles of this class have no future, but progress does not stand still. Suffice it to recall the emergence of such a brand as Tesla, which instantly conquered the market and made great changes in the world of electric vehicles. At the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, many manufacturers presented their new products, as well as serial models in the electric class.
Despite the absence of emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere and the ability to charge an electric car at home, the purchase price is not always pleasing. According to statistics, the minimum start for such an electric car starts at $ 7,500 in the basic configuration, when you can buy top-end configurations with an internal combustion engine for the same money. Well, let's take a look at the rating of the TOP-10 popular electric vehicles for 2017, technical characteristics, parameters and price.
Rating of the most popular electric vehicles in 2017
Tesla Model S 85D
Without any doubt, Tesla remains the most popular brand, and the Tesla Model S 85D is considered the most popular electric car. According to the manufacturer, the power reserve of this electric vehicle is enough for 335-435 km of travel, although as practice shows, in fact, these figures are much lower. The maximum speed is 250 km / h, although with this indicator, the battery charge will last for a maximum of 30 minutes of movement. It should be borne in mind that many parameters and technical characteristics of electric cars are calculated in optimal conditions, and the use of additional equipment significantly distorts the passport data.
The average time to fully charge a Tesla Model S 85D electric vehicle from 220V is 20-30 hours, and from 380V - from 3 to 4 hours. The weight of the electric car is 1961-2239 kg, depending on the configuration, and acceleration to hundreds takes 5.9 seconds. Tesla Model S 85D drive can be either rear or full, and the battery power is from 60 to 90 kW / h. The strengths of this electric vehicle are:
- rich equipment;
- large power reserve;
- 17 ″ touchscreen display on the center panel;
- manufacturability.
On the weak sides of the Tesla electric car, they note a high cost, in many countries there is no special network of Tesla Supercharger filling stations and unpredictability at -20 frost. The dimensions of this model are also not small, length - 4978 mm, width - 1964 mm, height - 1445 mm, and ground clearance - 155 mm. The maximum engine power is 380-762 horses, the maximum torque is 430-931 Nm. The basic configuration of the Tesla Model S 85D electric car will cost from $ 69,500, and the top-end version is about $ 136,500. The engine of this model is considered the best for electric vehicles, and the model itself is the best electric car of 2017.
Tesla model x
The second place in the ranking was taken by the Tesla Model X crossover. The crossover became not only a new model of the company, but also attracted attention with new doors in the style of gull-wings, just such doors were installed on the Mercedes-Benz 300SL or the more famous DeLorean DMC-12. According to passport data, the range of the new Tesla Model X electric car will be enough for 382 - 417 km. The maximum speed of the novelty is 210 km / h, and acceleration to the first hundred on the speedometer takes 6.2 seconds.
Full charging of an electric vehicle battery at home from a 220V network will take from 25 to 35 hours, from a 380V network it takes 5-7 hours. At a branded electric station, charging will not take more than an hour. The weight of the Tesla Model X electric car depends on the configuration and is about 2390 kg, which is not small, as for a crossover. The electronic crossover drive is only full. The engine power is 330 hp, which is significantly less than in the previous Tesla model, and the engine torque is 525 Nm.
With the advantages of the Tesla Model X crossover, one can note a spacious interior for 5-7 seats, a comfortable fit and stylish doors, ideal aerodynamic resistance (0.24), and good acceleration dynamics. With the minuses of an electric car, it is naturally a high cost, given the novelty of the model. Dimensions of the Tesla Model X electric vehicle: length - 5037 mm, width - 2271 mm, height - 1620 mm, ground clearance - 13.7-21 cm (air suspension is installed). The price of such a crossover starts at $ 113,900, and the top-end configuration will cost from $ 135,000.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
The compact Chevrolet Bolt EV took third place among the best electric vehicles of 2017. The five-door hatchback was slightly less popular than the Tesla. The range of a fully charged battery will last for 320 km. The maximum speed of the compact electric car Chevrolet Bolt EV is 146 km / h, acceleration to 100 km / h will take 7.2 seconds.
The central part of the panel is occupied by a 10.2 ″ touchscreen display, which is significantly smaller than in Tesla. It will take 10-15 hours to charge the battery of an electric vehicle from a 220V network, and 3-4 hours from a 380V network. The curb weight of this hatchback in the basic configuration is 1616 kg, and the luggage compartment volume is 479 liters. Unlike the first two models, the Chevy Bolt EV is front-wheel drive only and does not offer an all-wheel drive option. Engine power 204 horses, with a maximum torque of 360 Nm.
The electric car Chevrolet Bolt EV is not so big, length - 4165 mm, width - 1765 mm, height - 1610 mm, wheelbase - 2600 mm. The starting price of the hatchback electric car starts at $ 49,900, and the maximum configuration starts at $ 54,200.
BYD e6
In addition to well-known models, a new BYD e6 electric car is being introduced to the domestic market. Compared to the previous three models, this compact family minivan is rapidly gaining popularity. Although the model has previously been presented in the automotive market, the price is still significantly lower than competitors. The power reserve according to passport data is enough for 200 km of track. A minivan can overcome the mark of 100 km / h in 8 seconds, and accelerate to a maximum of 160 km / h. You can charge an electric car both from stationary outlets and from special stations, the average time for a full battery charge is from 6 to 7 hours. The curb weight of the BYD e6 electric car is 2020 kg. The Chinese minivan is only available with front-wheel drive. The power of the electronic engine is small - 102 horses, although in the maximum configuration of an electric car, the power of the electric motor reaches 268 horses. The dimensions of an electric minivan are very compact, length - 4554 mm, width - 1822 mm, height - 1630 mm, ground clearance - 138 mm. The luggage compartment volume is 385 liters and is quite roomy for this class. The price of the BYD e6 electric car in Russia starts at 1,600,000 rubles, although the model has not yet been officially sold in the Russian Federation.
Volkswagen e-Golf
Closes the top five in the ranking of the electric car Volkswagen e-Golf. Despite the rating, the electric car is very popular, this is due to the fact that the appearance is much similar to production cars with an internal combustion engine. The equipment of such an electric car is not worse, and even several times better than the top-end Golf equipment of the latest generation.
A full charge of the battery lasts for 300 km. The maximum speed of the Volkswagen e-Golf electric car is 150 km / h, and the electric car can accelerate to "hundreds" in 9.6 seconds. It will take no more than 8 hours to fully charge the battery from a 220V stationary network, 4-5 hours from a 380V network. The total weight of the new electric car is 2020 kg, compared to the usual configuration of the Golf car, the weight is almost 300 kg more. Only front-wheel drive is available, no all-wheel drive is expected.
The dimensions of the Volkswagen e-Golf electric car are no larger than the usual version, the length is 4270 mm, the width is 2027 mm, the height is 1482 mm, and the ground clearance is 143 mm. The volume of the luggage compartment is 341 liters. As for power, 136 horses were placed under the hood of the electric car, with a maximum torque of 290 Nm. The price of such a "charged" new Volkswagen e-Golf starts at $ 26,000.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric
The second five electric vehicles are opened by the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, with a range of 177 km according to the EPA standard or 250 km according to the NEDC standard. The maximum electronic hatchback can accelerate to 165 km / h, and overcome a hundred on the speedometer in 9.9 seconds. It will take from 8 to 14 hours to fully charge the battery from the 220V network. The curb weight of the electric car is 1420 kg, and only front-wheel drive, although the similar Tesla comes with all-wheel drive.
The battery capacity of the Hyundai Ioniq Electric is 28 kW / h, which makes it possible to squeeze out 120 horsepower from an electric car and a torque of 295 Nm. The manufacturer notes the advantages of Hyundai Ioniq Electric: good acceleration dynamics, the ability to select (switch) the driving mode, the power reserve in the passport and the real one correspond, and in the economical travel mode it is even more than stated.
Although there are some drawbacks, the trunk is small compared to the hybrid versions of this model and the price is quite high. The dimensions of the new electric car Hyundai Ioniq Electric are small: length - 4470 mm, width - 1820 mm, height - 1450 mm, and ground clearance - 145 mm. The pricing policy of the new Hyundai Ioniq Electric starts at $ 35,428, top-end equipment starts at $ 40,760.
Ford Focus Electric
The seventh position in the ranking of the top 10 popular electric vehicles in 2017 is occupied by the Ford Focus Electric. The power reserve of this electric car is 162 km, but according to the tests of the owners, the reserve is enough for a longer distance. The electric car can accelerate to 100 km / h in 11.4 seconds, and the maximum speed is 137 km / h. It takes 7-8 hours to fully charge the battery of an electric vehicle from the 220V network, and from the 380V network from 3 to 4 hours. The curb weight of the Ford Focus Electric is 1650 kg, according to the type of drive, only the front-wheel drive version.
The battery power of the electric vehicle is 23 kW / h, with the advantages the manufacturer notes good acceleration, high-quality interior decoration, simple and cheap maintenance. But there are also disadvantages that are hushed up: the battery takes up half of the trunk, which is clearly noticeable when you fold the rear row of seats.
The dimensions of the Ford Focus Electric electric car are no different from a conventional hatchback: length - 4392 mm, width - 1824 mm, height - 1478 mm, wheelbase - 2649 mm. Despite the battery, the boot volume is 411 liters. The power of the Ford Focus Electric engine is 143 horses, and the torque is 250 Nm. The price of such an electric car starts at $ 22,000 as of the second half of 2017, although it previously cost at least $ 29,120.
Bmw i3
BMW decided not to lag behind and presented its new electric car BMW i3. The power reserve on a full battery charge is up to 160 km. The maximum speed of such an electric car is 150 km / h, and acceleration to 100 km / h takes no more than 7.2 seconds. It will take 7-8 hours to fully charge the battery of the BMW i3 electric car from the 220V network, and only 3 hours from 380V. The least amount of charging is required from a stationary charge, only 30 minutes.
The curb weight of the BMW i3 is 1195 kg, but the drive, unlike most electric vehicles, in the new BMW i3 is only rear. The battery power of the electric car is 22 kW / h, which is not much. As with any electric car, there are pros and cons. The positive side of the BMW i3 is a good multimedia system, a good chassis, a modern unusual design, good dynamics and a lightweight frame made of aluminum and carbon fiber panels. Weaknesses of the BMW i3: very expensive body repairs and a very stiff suspension for driving on uneven roads.
The dimensions of the BMW i3 electric car are quite small: length 3999 mm, width of the electric car 2039 mm, height 1578 mm. The engine power under the hood of the BMW i3 is 170 hp, which is a lot for such an electric car, the torque is 250 Nm. The pricing policy of the BMW i3 in the basic configuration starts at $ 29,500, the maximum configuration of an electric car can start at $ 33,700.
Nissan leaf
The penultimate position in the TOP-10 rating is occupied by the Nissan Leaf, with a power reserve of 228 km, but still, in real conditions, the power reserve is less. Maximum such an electric car can accelerate to 145 km / h, but to overcome a hundred on the speedometer in 10 seconds. It will take about 8 hours to fully charge the Nissan Leaf battery from a regular 220V network, and about 3 hours from a 380V network. The curb weight of the hatchback, depending on the configuration, will be in the range of 1521-1600 kg, according to the type of drive, like most, only the front.
The Nissan Leaf's battery capacity is 24 kWh. The positive side of such an electric car is a spacious interior, good acceleration dynamics, cheap and easy repairs (Nissan will unify parts). On the downside, limited movement over long distances can be noted, in winter in severe frost the power reserve is significantly reduced, the price of an electric car is quite high.
In terms of dimensions, the new Nissan Leaf electric car is 4445 mm long, the electric car's width is 1770 mm, the height is 1550 mm, and the ground clearance is 160 mm. The power of the Nissan Leaf engine is 110 horsepower, the torque is 280 Nm. The base price of Nissan Leaf starts at $ 17,000, the maximum version with a powerful battery will cost from $ 24,000.
Kia Soul EV
Kia Soul EV closes the TOP-10 popular electric vehicles rating of 2017. A full battery charge is enough for 180 km, the maximum speed of an electric car is 155 km / h, but an electric car can accelerate to 100 km / h in 11.4 seconds. To fully charge the battery from 220V it will take a maximum of 8 hours, from 380V - 5 hours. The weight of the Kia Soul EV is 1565 kg. The battery power is more than that of previous machines - 27 kW / h.
The dimensions of the Kia Soul EV are slightly smaller than in the usual version: length - 4140 mm, height - 1800 mm, width - 1593 mm. A similar situation is noted by the manufacturer, on the positive side: compact dimensions, unification of parts and economical climate control. The disadvantages are a smaller interior, no choice of options and a large list of electric vehicle equipment. In terms of power, 110 horses are hidden under the hood of the Kia Soul EV, with a torque of 285 Nm. The price of such an electric car starts at $ 40,910.
Pros and cons of new electric vehicles
Like any means of transportation, the aforementioned electric vehicles have their pros and cons. The positive side of electric vehicles is, first of all, efficiency, ease of use, a modified body and rich interior filling. The manufacturer tries to install the most necessary control and safety systems, thereby reducing the power consumption of the battery. You can refuel an electric car both at special stations and at home, just connect to the home network and leave it to recharge.
But apart from the pros, there are also downsides. Often, manufacturers, when compiling passport data, often test electric vehicles under ideal conditions. Shipments to a particular country can drastically change passport data. This is especially true for the electric vehicle's range. Many people know that in severe frost any battery loses its capacity, be it even the newest one, as a result, instead of the indicated 300 kilometers, an electric car will be able to drive about 200 km. The situation is similar during the heat, the battery will constantly overheat and the charging time will increase significantly.
Another disadvantage of electric vehicles is constant monitoring of what consumes electricity: audio system, climate control, lighting, various backlights, etc. Forgetting to turn off the music or lights, the battery will quickly run out or at least run out a little, thereby reducing the power reserve. If you constantly use climate control on the road, then even the newest battery will be discharged much faster than indicated in the passport data.
Last but not least, it is worth noting that it is expensive to maintain electric vehicles, often spare parts cost a lot of money, and repairing the engine itself will cost more than half the cost of an electric car. Although some manufacturers began to make their electric cars based on their other car models, which significantly reduced the cost of service. It's no secret that the price of such a vehicle can be fabulous. It is enough to revise Tesla's models, this is one of the main reasons why many cannot afford to buy an electric car.
Which electric car is better to buy is everyone's opinion. One can argue that the best electric car is Tesla, someone will say that BMW, someone liked the Volkswagen e-Golf.
