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):
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
The BMW 3 Series is currently on its sixth generation. The BMW 330e Touring plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is available as a rear-wheel drive (RWD) and also as an all-wheel drive (AWD).
Though automotive manufacturers like BMW, have been busy upgrading their model portfolios, to include plug-in hybrids, in general, the number of available estate plug-in electric cars, still remains limited, in particular, in the premium-priced segment. Therefore, the BMW 330e plug-in estate electric car is certainly worth the consideration.
The BMW Touring plug-in hybrid, has much is common with the BMW 330e saloon PHEV, albeit the estate is more practical and family-friendly, despite the reduced boot size due to the placement on the EV battery (410 L). Both EVs have a similar battery size and drivetrain.
The estate PHEV has a 11.15 kWh onboard EV battery, with a fuel-free zero-tailpipe emission range up to 37 miles (WLTP). Of course, do keep in mind that the real-world EV range will be lower than the WLTP certified range, and assuming a 30 mile pure electric range is more realistic.
The real-world range will impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, passenger and cargo load, speed, regenerative braking, onboard services used, road conditions and of course the weather!
However, the Touring PHEV offers ample e-range to take advantage of the lower cost of driving an electric car. Depending on where and when you charge the EV, the cost of electric driving will be between 5 pence and 10 pence per mile. Far cheaper compared to driving using a petrol or diesel combustion engine.
Also, the best way to enjoy the smoother and silent electric mode, is to make sure that the EV battery is ‘topped up’ on a regular basis. This also helps with the long-term health and maintenance of the EV battery. BMW offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty.
The EV has a 3.7 kW AC onboard charger, which is disappointing, given the premium price tag. A 7.4 kW onboard charger should have been incorporated as standard. Nevertheless, do take advantage of the faster and safer charging using a dedicated EV charger like Wallbox.
The BMW electric car can be fully charged in 3.5 hours. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for EV charging. Using a domestic plug will take up to 5.5 hours to charge the EV. The PHEV does not offer fast DC charging compatibility.
The more a PHEV is driven on EV mode, the better is the overall efficiency and fuel economy of the vehicle. BMW claims that the BMW 330e Touring PHEV can deliver up to 201.8 mpg. Of course, the real-world fuel consumption will depend on how well you leverage the use of the electric motor/ EV battery. The more, the better!
Like all PHEVs, the pairing of an electric motor with the internal combustion engine (ICE), also helps reduce the tailpipe-emissions for the BMW 3 Series plug-in electric car. The claimed tailpipe-emissions is up to 42 (CO2/km). The lower the emissions, the lower the local air pollution. A win-win for all! Moreover, company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-12%) tax rates for PHEVs.
The performance of the 2.0-litre (four-cylinder) BMW 3 Series demonstrates its capability as a good all-rounder. Top speed of the car on electric mode is 86 mph, sufficient for both urban and rural driving (top speed using the combustion engine is 142 mph). The EV is quick, despite the extra EV battery weight. It can achieve 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds (maximum power: 292 hp). The EV also benefits from instant torque.
The BMW Touring PHEV has a good quality interior, as would be expected from a premium-badged EV. In terms of technology, the EV includes: BMW head-up display, BMW curved-display, BMW digital key, reversing assistant, BMW intelligent personal assistant and a lot more. Bottom-line the drivers cockpit is modern, intuitive and practical.
Though the plug-in electric car does not qualify for the UK government plug-in car grant (PiCG), driving the EV on electric mode will result in material financial savings.
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!
The BMW 330e Touring Plug-In Hybrid Estate (credit: BMW)
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