Volkswagen e-Up first drive

Volkswagen's first production electric vehicle, the e-Up, is a technologically and ecologically advanced version of its new city car. Richard Gooding went to Volkswagen UK's technical centre in Milton Keynes to find out more

Volkswagen has been testing electric and hybrid powertrains for some years but it's only now that the results of these testing programmes are being seen.

It's surprising that the e-Up has debuted first, as an all-electric version of the Golf – the brightest jewel in VW's crown –  was seen out and about long before the electric city car and both were shown at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show.

The e-Golf will make an appearance in the summer, but right now the e-Up's job is to get drivers used to an electric Volkswagen. So, what is there to get used to exactly?

Not much on the outside. The e-Up keeps the cute looks of the standard car. Available as a five-door only – to no doubt showcase the Up's practicality – and based on the range-topping high Up, the electric version adds smart 'C'-shaped LED running lights at the front, blue-tinged roundels front and rear and 15-inch 'Tezzle' alloy wheels.

At the rear there is another pair of 'C'-shaped lights, but these are reflectors only. A pair of e-Up badges on the leading edge of the front doors add the finishing touch. There is no options list, only the choice of five colours.

LITTLE DIFFERENCE
Inside there's little difference in the e-Up to the petrol car. Which is is fine, as the petrol car is perfectly good as it is. Special 'Grid' upholstery with blue stitching complements the light-coloured dashboard and door trims, while Volkswagen's excellent Garmin-made 'Maps & More' portable infotainment device is fitted. There’s also DAB radio and full climate control air-conditioning.

Further equipment highlights include cruise control, heated windscreen, heated seats, rear parking sensors and the automatic 'City Emergency Braking' system.

In the e-Up, the 'Maps & More' five-inch touchscreen device can display vehicle information including range and can preset vehicle charging as well as vehicle heating or cooling via the climate control system.

The Up was always engineered to take a variety of powertrains hence its quick route to market. Alongside the petrol and continental-only CNG versions, a Volkswagen spokesman told us a diesel hybrid version will be on sale within two years. The electric version is powered by a small AC electric motor which produces 80bhp/60kW and 155lb ft/210Nm of torque.

The motor drives the front wheels via a single-speed gearbox. Power comes from a 204-cell, 230kg lithium-ion battery pack which is rated at 374 volts and 18.7kWh and mounted under the floor. Volkswagen claims that the e-Up is the most energy-efficient car electric car on the market, with an average consumption of 11.7kWh/100km.

FAST-CHARGING CIRCUIT
Charging time is nine hours from flat, but with an optional and free British Gas wallbox and 3.6 kW supply, this time drops to six hours. All e-Ups come with a DC fast-charging circuit as standard.

Using the Combined Charging System (CCS) as used on the Renault Zoe among others, a flat battery can be recharged to 80 per cent in 30 minutes at levels of 40kW from a DC supply.

Both CCS and UK three-pin charging cables live in a bag in a slot in the boot (which is incidentally only one litre smaller than the petrol car's).

The e-Up comes with a 3-year 60,000-mile warranty, with the e-components guaranteed for five years, while the battery has an 8-year, 99,360-mile warranty. There are no hidden leasing costs involved here.

The e-Up’s official driving range on the NEDC cycle is 93 miles. Volkswagen states in the summer 103 miles may be seen but in the winter between 50-75 miles will be able to be driven due to the often freezing and inclement conditions.

THREE DRIVING PROFILES
There are three driving profiles which potentially affect range. 'Normal' is the default setting, while 'Eco' cuts the car's peak power to 50kW, reducing the air conditioning output and accelerator pedal response. 'Eco+' reduces pedal response and power further and disables the air conditioning entirely.

In addition to these, five levels of regenerative braking can be selected, further affecting range. Mode D sees a coasting function engaged when the accelerator is lifted. Each further mode – D1, D2, D3 and B – engage increased levels of regenerative braking.

In modes D2, D3 and B, the brake lights are automatically illuminated. Braking this way is much more energy efficient than manual braking. If the battery is fully charged however, no regeneration will take place.

Driving the e-Up couldn't be simpler. As it's based on a standard production car (unlike BMW's bespoke i3), a driver new to electric car technology would feel at home.

Turn the key and the only obvious difference is the lack of noise. Select a driving mode and off you go. Gears are selected via the automatic-type lever. Increased recuperation levels are chosen by pushing the gearstick to the left.

Driving profiles are selected by button next to the gearstick. A tell-tale display in the instrument pack informs the driver which profile is selected. Ahead of the driver, a charge meter replaces the rev counter and the fuel gauge measures battery power rather than fuel levels. All very simple.

BRISK PACE
The 210Nm of torque surges the car along at a brisk pace. As with other versions, it's very quiet and refined at speed, the only noise being a very slight electric car 'whine'. The car copes with motorways well, keeping up with traffic easily.

The range diminishes quicker than if the car is driven around town and it's on urban roads where the e-Up really shines.

It's fun keeping the needle swinging into the green area of the charge meter when regenerative braking and there's the instant power hit every electric car enjoys when the accelerator pedal is pressed.

The e-Up keeps the same agile handling as the standard car meaning its fun to drive around town. The regenerative braking function works well with well-judged levels of response.

A three-year subscription to Volkswagen's Car-Net mobile app service is included in the price of the e-Up. This provides remote battery charging management, remote pre-trip interior climatisation and departure time programming as well as vehicle statistics and status updates. The e-Up will be sold through 24 specially-trained e-Retailers in the UK.

THE BOTTOM LINE
At £19,250 including the £5,000 Government Plug-in Car Grant, the e-Up isn't cheap, but that price does buy 20,000-mile servicing intervals and the most up-to-date technology. And of course there are no battery leasing costs.

The electric baby VW is more expensive than the £13,995 Renault Zoe and £15,990 Nissan Leaf, but cheaper than the £25,680 BMW i3.

On contract hire with free electricity when charging away from home, a P11D value of nil and 0% BIK from the 2015/16 tax year, fleet drivers may be able to make the e-Up's sums work.

To get drivers used to the idea of a hassle-free electric car and as a technological showcase, the e-Up succeeds. Volkswagen acknowledges the market is currently small and has set modest sales targets.

The e-Up paves the way for the upcoming e-Golf. With it, Volkswagen has stated its electric car intent and on this showing alone, it is a very serious one indeed.

AT A GLANCE
Engine: 60kW electric motor
CO2: 0g/km
Range: 93 miles
VED: Band A
BIK: 0%
Price (OTR): £19,250 (inc VAT, after government grant)