The "e" in most electric cars doesn't stand for "enthusiast." The majority of rechargeable vehicles are focused on the benefits of zero emissions and gas free driving. About the only time that fun comes into the conversation is when you talk about the joy of passing by gas stations. The next wave of eCars is on the radar, soon bound for showrooms. One that I've driven recently emphasizes both its gas-free status AND the car's fun-to-drive nature — the Volkswagen e-Golf. With three stints behind the wheel of the e-Golf in recent months, my main takeaway is that the electric-only version feels surprisingly similar to the gas powered model. The first (and obvious) difference is the power source, of course, and the second is what you hear — or rather, what you don't. Rolling down the road, e-Golf is virtually silent. The initial rollout for e-Golf will focus on the states in the northeast and west coast that have adopted the EPA's Low Emission Vehicle standards (including NY).
7,500. Some states (and even some private corporations) are further sweetening the pot, with additional tax credits, rebates and incentives. The drivetrain combines an electric motor with a Lithium-ion battery. Power output is 115 h.p. 199 lb. ft. of torque. It's transmitted to the front wheels by means of a single-speed transmission. Top speed is 87 mph, and the 0 to 60 time is pegged at about 10 seconds. That's not especially quick, but the instant on, RightNow nature of the power delivery results in a feeling of strong, off-the-line acceleration. The sensation of speed without sound is unique for most drivers. It's also going to come as a surprise to pedestrians, who may not hear you coming. To combat this, VW has equipped the e-Golf with a low-speed sound system, to help make pedestrians, cyclists, etc. aware of your presence. My impression of this system is the same as the one used in Nissan's Leaf. I don't think that either is loud enough to alert pedestrians.
EV users would do well to train themselves to assume that if they aren't seen, they may not be heard, and drive accordingly. As more EVs come to market, expect this issue to get more attention. VW estimates the e-Golf's real world driving range of 70-90 miles per charge (100 in eco mode) — in line with other plug-ins — and includes driver-selectable modes for regenerative braking. The onboard charger allows for recharging in one of three ways. A standard, 110/120 volt electrical socket will replenish the battery in 18-20 hours. Optional is a dedicated Bosch 240-volt wall charger, which will fully charge the e-Golf in four hours. 2,000 for a level 2 charger, including installation. The e-Golf's Combined Charging System (CCS) allows drivers to avail themselves of any available SAE standard DC fast charge station (currently about 18,000 U.S.-wide, plus VW dealer locations). With direct power of up to 50 kW, an 80% charge can be achieved in about 30 minutes.
Volkswagen says that the experience of most EV owners is that they naturally start to batch trips together, and become more efficient at maximizing their time between recharges; mindful driving, you might say. And if all else fails, a standard Roadside Assistance Plan has your back. If your e-Golf runs out of charge within 100 miles of your home, VW will have the car delivered to a nearby source for charging, and will pay taxi/transportation fees for the owner. Practicality takes planning. As they add the requisite powertrain hardware, most EV's lose storage space. Golf maintains essentially the same versatility as its gas-powered siblings, because an electric version of Golf was planned from the get-go. All Golf models roll on VW's Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform. Designed with an eye towards future product, the e-Golf chassis is able to accommodate the large battery pack beneath while still maintaining the same interior volume as other Golf models. Cargo capacity ranges from 22.8-52.7 cubic feet, and adults will fit in front or back seats.
E-Golf shares the same interior design philosophy as other Golfs — logical and minimalist. Controls are laid out in a way that's easy to use and not distracting to the driver. Inset in the speedometer is an indicator showing the battery's current state of charge. Next door, the tachometer has been replaced with a power display. In between, a color display shows the estimated driving range, remaining charging time/type of connection and the current drive options selected. Since an EV doesn't provide the same auditory cues as a combustion chamber when it's running, a "ready" message appears here after the motor has been started. The addition of the new Golf EV is most unique for what it doesn't subtract. The eGolf fills out the existing Golf/GTI lineup with a zero emissions version. But, in doing so, it doesn't sacrifice any of the people/cargo room of the other Golf models. And it also retains Golf's fun to drive nature — an underserved market amongst current EVs. A regular contributor to the Times Union for more than 20 years, Dan Lyons is the award-winning author of six books, and photographer of over 150 calendars.
