Electrifying Porsche Taycan Base Model takes centre stage in Hong Kong

German automobile manufacturer Porsche debuts the highly sought-after all-electric Taycan base model with a brand new makeover that sparks new life into the Taycan series. Having already delivered 650 new vehicles into the city, the marque showcases the model in its highly anticipated Frozen Berry shade, one in a wide range of colour option that emphasises the revitalised spirit of the brand’s latest iteration; taking centre stage at the luxurious Kowloon shopping venue Elements before its move across its Hong Kong showrooms in Kowloon and Wan Chai.

Pulling back the curtain on the sleek, metallic exterior with an elegant streamlined design that pays homage to the marque’s signature design DNA, its broad selections of customisation also highlights an extensive combination of interior and exterior hand-finishes that offer an utterly unique personality to each vehicle — a sumptuous feel that is further underscored by its broad skylight above head.

Its performance, too, does not disappoint with a cutting edge E-Performance technology and 800-volt Performance battery. Offering continuous power supply and long range cruising with low energy consumption of only 300kW (or 300kW for the optional Performance Battery Plus) that adds to the appeal of a long drive out in town.

Covering an impressive range of 484km and boasting a top speed of 230km/h with an acceleration that goes from zero to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds in both battery configuration, its reduced turbulence and air resistance provide a smooth driving experience with minimal drag coefficient, putting a close focus on the sensation of the ride and experience en-route more than anything else.

Further emphasising on Posche’s dedication to expanding a charging network of SuperChargers across the city and Macau to offer its customers the utmost enjoyable riding experience, efficiency and convenience, it has pushed the brand into a new era of electric vehicle mobility. Its recent collaboration with Hopewell Holdings has launched the city’s first-ever exclusive SuperCharger for Taycan owners on top of introducing its first exclusive Macau-based SuperCharger at the Galaxy Macau.

From now until 31 December 2021 the charging service will be made free of charge to all Taycan owners.

For more information, please visit www.porsche.com.hk.

Upside and downside of electric cars

More and more electric cars will take to Hong Kong streets amid greater technology advances. Shifting to and investing in an electric car is well worth considering as concerns for the environment in Hong Kong and across the world continue to grow.

The following are pertinent facts about electric cars:

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Pros of Electric Cars

Fuel Cost Savings

Initially, electric cars may cost more than those that run on fossil fuel. But over time, electric car owners can achieve substantial savings as these vehicles won’t need to refuel. Batteries can simply be charged in charging stations around Hong Kong or at home whichever is convenient.

Lower Maintenance Costs

Electric cars often entail maintenance costs significantly lower than those that run on fossil fuel as the former needs no engine parts replacements and repairs of spark plugs, valves and other parts.

facts about electric cars gafencu magazine Mercedes-Benz EQV — (Image of the EQV from Mercedes-Benz)

Environment Friendly

The biggest and greatest benefit derived from electric cars are their contribution to the reduction of carbon emissions. Since electric cars run on charged batteries, they don’t release or emit carbon dioxide into the air, thereby helping reduce carbon emissions and easing air pollution. Electric cars are an environmentally-friendly option that is welcome everywhere.

Better Performance

Engines of electric cars start much faster than those in fossil fuel-driven cars. Changing gears and applying the break in electric cars are also much easier and smoother in electric cars. Engines of electric cars are also impressively much quieter than their fossil fuel counterparts.

facts about electric cars gafencu magazine BMW IX3 — (image of IX 3 from BMW)

Cons of Electric Cars

Charging

Electric cars have several drawbacks and one of them relates to charging of batteries. Although there are more than 350 charging stations in Hong Kong, each station varies by the type of charging ports ranging from normal to quick charge and they are not as convenient to find as petrol stations. It can also take up to to 30 minutes to charge about 80 percent of the battery of an electric time, and this is the fastest. Fully charging a battery under normal charging rates can take up to eight hours.

See the list of charging stations in Hong Kong here.

facts about electric cars gafencu magazine BMW IX3 (2) — (image of IX 3 from BMW)

Battery

Another significant factor to consider is the cost of replacing an electric cars’ battery pack. The best EVs can travel up to 300km or more on a fully-charged battery pack, which is enough to drive from Hong Kong’s urban areas to the airport. But with the scarcity of charging stations and the time that it takes to charge fully, driving an electric car will likely deter a motorist from travelling outside Hong Kong on long distances without stopping for a recharge. Replacing the battery pack of an electric car can also cost as much as $10,000.

facts about electric cars gafencu magazine BMW IX3 (4) — (Image of the IX 3 from BMW)

Despite battery drawbacks and lack of easy access to charging stations, these inconveniences can easily be addressed by setting up a charging station in the home garage or at the carpark building nearest to the motorist’s home. As more electric car models get introduced to the market, prices are likely to go down even as their technological features improve further.

Jaguar I-Pace: The Car of the Year at Geneva Motor Show 2019

If the trends at the recently-concluded Geneva Motor Show are anything to go by, electric cars are officially here to stay. Nowhere was this more apparent than in the Car of the Year winner at the show, which went to Jaguar I-Pace, British car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover‘s latest fully Battery Electric Vehicle(BEV).

It’s easy to understand just why the Jaguar I-Pace, which is touted as “the world’s smartest five-seater sports car” won the coveted prize. Not only is it the most value-for-money compact car in the market, it also scores high on innovation. One of the most impressive features is, however, its powerful engine performance that allows the car to go from 0 to 100km in just 4.8kms.

The other pros of this dynamic 400-PS vehicle offers tons of torque and good on/off-road capabilities, according to vehicle experts. What’s more, its 50kW DC rapid charger is apparently one of the most common types of chargers available at public charging stations, making it super-convenient to power up the I-Pace.

Watch the video to know more: