Efficiently electric

The all-electric Volkswagen Golf has finally arrived. Promising a blend of qualities for which the German hatchback is known with zero emissions, Richard Gooding sees if the e-Golf delivers

The mass-production electric Volkswagen Golf has been a long time coming. The first electric version of Volkswagen’s hallmark hatch was made in 1976 and throughout the decades that followed, zero-emission Golfs were developed further. A version of the production e-Golf was trialled in 2011 but it’s only now that an electric variant of VW’s ubiquitous C-segment car is available to buy.

The 2014 Volkswagen e-Golf takes the contemporary Mk 7 version of the German hatch as a starting point. It adds an 85kW / 113bhp AC electric motor driven by a single‑speed gearbox. A 264-cell, 318kg lithium-ion battery is integrated into the Golf’s floor. Rated at 323 volts and 24.2kWh, it can be fully charged in 13 hours on a 2.3kW UK home electricity supply. An optional 3.6kW wallbox takes this down to eight hours. Volkswagen has fitted the popular European combined charging system (CCS) to the e-Golf for rapid charging. This adds DC supply capability and recharges the battery to 80 per cent capacity in 30 minutes. Official range is 118 miles, depending on ambient conditions, charging level and driving style. An optional £825 heat pump adds up to 20 per cent more range in colder climates.

More range, more practicality
The e-Golf is the second fully-electric car in the Volkswagen range after the e-Up city car and promises not only more range but also more practicality due to its larger footprint. Just as with the smaller car, the e-Golf looks little different to the standard model. ‘C’‑shaped LED daytime running lights, full‑LED headlamps (with blue stripe insert), a blue-trimmed front grille and ‘e-Golf’ badging visually decipher the electric Golf from its fossil-fulled siblings. Sixteen-inch ‘Tilleves’ alloy wheels add a signature touch, while the rear features a streamlined spoiler and LED tail lights.

The e-Golf is only available with five doors and in one high-specification trim level. Standard equipment includes an eight-inch colour touchscreen ‘Discover Navigation Pro’ with satellite navigation and e-Manager functions; rain sensors; an auto-dimming rear view mirror; and blue-stitched leather trim on the steering wheel, gearshift and handbrake lever. There’s also a heated front windscreen for less energy use; a multifunction computer; parking sensors and 2Zone climate control, as well as numerous driving assistance and crash safety systems.

Not much is lost in the translation from fossil-fuelled hatchback to EV. The luggage boot is only 39 litres smaller (down to 341 from 380 litres), while the interior is just as well-built as any other version of the popular VW. The Mk 7 Golf was designed from the outset to take multiple powertrain options and the e-Golf is built on the same production lines as the petrol and diesel versions. Volkswagen switches components as and when the all-electric model is specified. Due to the current (pun not intended) nature of the EV market, the e-Golf will be customer order only from any of VW’s nationwide 24 e-Retailers.

Three driving profiles
As with the e-Up, driving the e-Golf needs little adjustment. Three driving profiles can be selected. ‘Normal’ unleashes the full 113bhp and 270Nm (199lb ft) of torque, while keeping the top speed at 87mph. The e-Golf accelerates to 62mph from rest in 10.4 seconds, around the same time as a Golf BlueMotion TDI. For increased range, ‘Eco’ sees the air‑conditioning functionality reduced, along with a cut in power to 93bhp and 220Nm (162lb ft). Top speed is decreased to 71mph. Finally. ‘Eco+’ limits power to 73bhp, torque to 175Nm (129lb ft) and top speed to 56mph. Air-conditioning is also switched off entirely when ‘Eco+’ is selected. However, full power can be accessed in both ‘Eco’ and ‘Eco+’ modes though by kicking down the gearbox if overtaking is required.

Five levels of regenerative braking can also be selected. ‘D’ – the default mode – uses no regenerative braking at all, instead reclaiming energy through the hydraulic braking system. Flick the gear lever into the ‘D1’, ‘D2’ or ‘D3’ modes and the electric motor switches into generator mode when the accelerator pedal is released. The regenerative braking is immediately felt, subtly getting more severe as the programmes are increased. Lastly, ‘B’ slows the car down similarly to the driver applying the brake pedal. In urban traffic the e-Golf can be slowed to a standstill, therefore negating the need for the hydraulic braking system. Provided a set level of retardation is achieved, the brake lights are automatically applied in all of the e-Golf’s regenerative braking modes. To obtain further range, the e-Golf’s satellite navigation system has three route options – Fast, Short, Eco – as well as Traffic Sign Display and no overtaking zones.

The e-Golf’s running gear is largely the same as that of other Golfs. It handles with a nimbleness which makes it feel more agile and flowing than a regular model, no doubt in part to the low centre of gravity afforded by the battery location. The 205/55 R16 low rolling resistance tyres cushion road imperfections well. The ride is on the firm side but never uncomfortably so. Only a slight whine from the electric motor and more omnipresent wind and road noise give the electric game away.

Well-resolved
The e-Golf follows VW’s fixed service regime. The first service is due after two years or 20,000 miles and thereafter every year or 20,000 miles. An eight-year or 160,000km (100,000-mile) warranty applies to the battery in addition to VW’s standard three‑year, 60,000-mile guarantee. Volkswagen’s all-electric vehicles also come with a three-year subscription to the Car‑Net service which gives control over vehicle charging status, battery management, driving data and air‑conditioning.

The e-Golf is priced at £25,845 after the government’s £5,000 plug-in car grant. That makes it £165 more expensive than the more powerful and more radical £25,680 BMW i3, its most obvious rival. Both the Bavarian EV and the e-Golf have the same official range and both are rated at 0 per cent BIK. The Volkswagen sits in a lower insurance group, but the BMW has undoubtedly more avantgarde looks if making an EV statement appeals.

Overall, the e-Golf is a well thought-out and extremely well-resolved EV designed to make the transition from fossil-fuelled transportation to zero-emission motoring as painless as possible. Simple to use, practical, well-built and emission-free: the e-Golf has the capability to be all things to EV fleet drivers – with an added dash of familiarity.

Volkswagen e-Golf

ENGINE: 85kW AC electric motor
ELECTRICITY
 CONSUMPTION: 12.7kWh/62 miles
CO2: 0g/km
RANGE: 118 miles
VED: Band A
BIK: 0%
PRICE (OTR): £25,845 (inc VAT, after government grant)