BMW introduces a plug-in hybrid SUV. The BMW X5 xDrive40e is now the first SUV of the Munich-based premium brand to manage a fascinating fuel consumption of just 3.4-3.3 liters on 100 kilometers. Sounds great.
In order to achieve this “great” consumption, you charge the X5 xDrive40e at the socket at home or in the office before setting off. Because under its hood, a turbo gasoline engine with a displacement of 2.0 liters and an electric motor in the gearbox of the 8-speed automatic machine share the work. And so that the electric motor can get to work whisper-quietly and completely free of local emissions, it needs electricity.
31 kilometer alibi nonsense
3.3 to 3.4 liters on 100 kilometers. Sounds great. But you know, as soon as the batteries are empty, this standard consumption is just a paper size. And not even worth a kilowatt hour of electricity. Because: no electricity. No fantasy values.
With the X5 xDrive40e, BMW has really managed to meet exactly the range that the legislator provides for the specification of electric cars and plug-in hybrids in its electromobility law.
Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks: “With the law we are giving municipalities the opportunity to promote electromobility in the way that makes the most sense locally. For example, for air quality reasons. At the same time, we are creating the basis for alternative forms of mobility to be better taken into account in urban development.”
Main content of the law:
- Definition of privileged electric vehicles,
- Identification via the number plate,
- Parking and holdings,
- Use of bus lanes,
- Lifting of access prohibitions.
The scope of the law covers pure battery electric vehicles, especially environmentally friendly externally rechargeable hybrid vehicles and fuel cell vehicles.
In the case of externally chargeable hybrid vehicles, so-called plug-in hybrids, carbon dioxide emissions must not exceed 50 grams per kilometer or a purely electrical minimum range of more than 30 kilometers (or 40 kilometers from 2018). With this specified minimum range, the vast majority of short daily trips can be covered purely electrically.
Excerpt: Electric Mobility Act
This robs you of the useful use of plug-in hybrids any basis. With such a transparent configuration of the plug-in drive, you already admit at the presentation of the vehicle:
“Jo'mei, I only do this because of the green fig leaf”.
This is not about the systemic relevance of plug-in hybrids. The fact that the average daily driving distance of the Federal Michel is still higher is ignored as well as the requirements of the legislation from 2018. But that doesn't matter. In 3 years' time, these 10 kilometers extra for the facelift model will be brought in just because of the progress made in the battery pack. Until then, the fig leaf is enough.
As soon as the plug-in range of 30 kilometers is exceeded, the NEDC value can be easily calculated with the additional formula from the ECE standard 101.
Embarrassing number, BMW!
And I'm sure that this plug-in hybrid will drive great. But - an 83 kW electric motor should not knock torque-spoiled X5 drivers off their feet. After all, 2.2 tons remain on the road, they want to be moved.
So that you don't have to worry about the measly 83 kW for too long, the battery has only been given a capacity of 9 kWh. Oh no, that was only necessary to drive no further than 31 km electrically. Now you can really ask yourself whether they didn't meet there involuntarily and maliciously. Some don't want an X5 that is difficult to start electrically, others just wanted to meet the legal value - because both were under pressure from above!
“Shrinks fleet consumption!!” Donnerliet!
How? It does not matter.
So now a plug-in hybrid SUV from Munich. With too little electric range, but also with poor 83 kW-E power.
How much will the “fig leaf SUV” cost? The prices are not yet known. But I suspect: at least €65.000.