Overview
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), is a leading global automotive manufacturer headquartered in Munich, Germany. BMW is well known for its portfolio of luxury vehicles, to include the famed Rolls-Royce luxury cars. The group manufacturers a number of cars under its BMW brand, to include battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
The company currently has the following portfolio of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs):
- BMW 225xe Active Tourer PHEV
- BMW 330e Saloon PHEV
- BMW 330e Touring PHEV
- BMW 530e Saloon PHEV
- BMW 530e Touring PHEV
- BMW 745e PHEV
- BMW X1 xDrive25e PHEV
- BMW X2 xDrive25e PHEV
- BMW X3 xDrive30e PHEV
- BMW X5 xDrive45e PHEV
Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
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The BMW X2 SUV PHEV
The BMW X2 compact luxury SUV has been on sale since 2018. The SUV is manufactured in Germany, alongside the BMW X1. The BMW X2 is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
For those seeking a sportier looking, but environmentally-friendly premium-badged compact SUV, the BMW X2 plug-in hybrid is an option worth considering. Next in the line-up to the BMW X1 PHEV, the X2 plug-in hybrid offers a more stylish, coupè exterior, with an attractive sloping roofline. However, the X2 EV does have much in common with the X1 PHEV, to include the EV battery size.
The all-wheel drive BMW X2 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle has a 8.82 kWh onboard EV battery, with a quoted WLTP electric range up to 32 miles. Many of the more recent PHEVs incorporate a larger EV battery and deliver a higher zero-emission EV range.
Having said that, for shorter distances, in particular, in towns and cities, a pure electric range over 25 miles is more than sufficient. In fact, 2/3rds of motorist drive at an average 30 miles per day. This should not come as a surprise, as the majority of our daily trips are short distances: school-runs, grocery store, high street, work etc.
Despite the quoted manufacturers electric range, expect the real-world EV range to be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: the way the electric vehicle (EV) is driven, road conditions, passenger load, regenerative braking profile, speed, wheel size, weather conditions, etc. A real-world e-range will be closer to 25 miles, but nevertheless sufficient and useful.
We at e-zoomed recommend (when appropriate), to always choose the maximum available regen braking profile in the EV. This will help recuperate more energy and increase the overall fuel-economy of the electric car. Moreover, we also suggest to keep the EV battery ‘topped up’, as the more the EV can be driven on electric mode, the higher the financial savings.
Keep in mind, that the cost of driving an EV per mile is between 5 pence and 10 pence per mile i.e. much cheaper than driving on petrol or diesel. Also, the e-mode offers a more refined and quieter drive.
Moreover, driving on the pure electric mode, also improves the efficiency of the electric car i.e. improved fuel economy and lower motoring costs. The automotive manufacturer has a claimed fuel economy up to 156.9 mpg for the EV. To achieve anything close to the quoted fuel economy, driving on electric mode is a must. If the PHEV is driven primarily using the combustion engine, then expect a fuel economy closer to 40 mpg.
The X2 EV has a 3.7 kW onboard charger, sufficient for charging a small 8.82 kWh EV battery. Though an EV can be charged using a 3-PIN domestic socket, we would encourage EV drivers to charge using a dedicated residential EV charger like Easee: faster and safer in charging operation, compared to a domestic 3-PIN plug!
Using an EV charger, the EV can be fully charged in 3.5 hrs. We recommend charging overnight, when the cost of electricity is cheaper. The EV does not offer DC charging. BMW offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty.
The four-wheel drive BMW X2 xDrive25e PHEV pairs the 1.5-litre (3-cylinder) petrol engine (ICE) with an electric motor (70 kW). The EV can achieve 0-62 mph in 6.8 seconds (maximum power: 220 hp). The top speed is 121 mph (electric mode: 83 mph).
Of course, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will be a little heavier than the internal combustion engine variant, given the additional weight of the onboard EV battery. However, a PHEV does gain from the availability of instant torque.
In terms of practicality, the rear seats are impacted by the sloping roofline i.e. lower headroom for rear seat passengers. However, the front seats have ample headroom and legroom and the front cabin is driver-centric. Also impacted by the roofline, is the rear visibility.
Despite the boot size reduced in size due to the placement of the EV battery, it still offers 410 L. As for interior quality, the X2 plug-in hybrid does not disappoint. The interior is completed to a high finish and is technology-filled, to include: driving assistant plus, BMW Head-Up Display, parking assistant, wireless charging, Apple Car Play and a lot more.
Given the lower tailpipe emissions for the PHEV (41g CO2/km), company-car drivers can benefit from a lower Benefit-in-Kind tax rate (BiK-12%) for the EV, compared to the conventional ICE variant. The EV does not qualify for the UK government plug-in car grant (PiCG).
Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet. You can lease electric vehicles (EVs) via e-zoomed at very competitive prices!
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Good looking exterior styling (sportier than X1) | Small EV battery and limited electric range |
Responsive infotainment system | Simply expensive compared to cheaper alternatives |
Cheap to run on electric mode | On-board charger limited to 3.7 kW. DC charging not available |
The BMW X2 Plug-In Hybrid SUV (credit: BMW)
At A Glance | |
---|---|
EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
Body Type: | SUV |
Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG): | Not Available |
Engine: | Petrol-Electric |
Available In UK: | Yes |
Variants (1 Option) |
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BMW X2 M Sport (from £44,570) |
EV Battery & Emissions | |
---|---|
EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 8.82 kWh |
Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3.5 hrs) |
Charge Port: | Type 2 |
EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
Tailpipe Emissions: | 40 – 41g (CO2/km) |
EV Battery Warranty: | 8 years or 100,000 miles |
Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
---|---|
Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | £1.27 |
Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | £1.67 |
Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | £1.73 |
Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | £1.89 |
Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | £2.03 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
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) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
Dimensions | |
---|---|
Height (mm): | 1512 |
Width (mm): | 1824 |
Length (mm): | 4360 |
Wheelbase (mm): | 2670 |
Turning Circle (m): | 11.4 |
Boot capacity (L): | 410 |
BMW X2 xDrive25e M Sport | |
---|---|
EV Battery Capacity: | 8.82 kWh |
Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 32 miles |
Electric Energy Consumption (miles/kWh): | 4.1 |
Fuel Consumption (MPG): | 156.9 |
Charging: | DC charging not available. On-board charger 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3.5 hrs) |
Top Speed: | 121 mph (electric mode: 83 mph) |
0-62 mph: | 6.8 seconds |
Drive: | All-wheel drive (AWD) |
Electric Motor (kW): | 70 |
Max Power (hp): | 220 |
Torque (Nm): | 220 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Seats: | 5 |
Doors: | 5 |
Unladen Weight-EU (kg): | 1,805 |
Colours: | 7 |
NCAP Safety Rating: | N/A |
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