Peugeot Citroen group release their first electric hybrid with the Grandland Hybrid.
The Vauxhall plug in hybrid Grandland has been unveiled with a 297bhp petrol-electric drivetrain and a 13 kwh battery.
The PSA developed system, which should shortly appear in Citroen and Peugeot models, as well as the second generation Mokka.
The new Phev uses two 107bhp electric motors and has a well thought out drive train. The system is a very intelligent one and has a front electric motor which drives through the newly developed 8 speed Auto along with the 196bhp 1.6 petrol engine.
A second motor drives the rear wheels making the Grandland Phev a true four wheel drive vehicle.
Charging and the reality of Electric v. Phev…
Even from completely flat, the 13kwh battery can be charged overnight using a standard 3 pin plug. A charge point at home is unnecessary for a plug-in hybrid with a battery of this size.
According to Vauxhall tests, the battery only range is 30 miles.
Even if you cannot top up at work, you can still cover your first 30miles for about £1.40, about the price of a litre of fuel or 140 mpg. This will in day to day use reduce the emissions of the Grandland by 75% if you cover 10,000 miles per annum.
If you can top up at work, it will run as a full EV if your journey falls inside the 60 miles per day range. That is 15,000 miles per annum, higher than the average mileage driven in the UK.
At a fuel stop with a fast charger, say 50kw, the Grandland can be recharged in about 15 minutes to further reduce emissions on a longer journey.
The CO2 emissions of this new Phev are 49g/km, the BIK savings and exemption from environmental zones should be costed in when considering it as a company car.
