The ZS EV is the first production electric car from MG. Fully built in China (MG are currently owned by the Chinese SAIC Motor Group), the ZS EV was revealed at the 2018 Guangzhou Motor Show. It is worth noting that the ZS EV is not built on a dedicated EV platform, rather it is based on the existing petrol MG ZS small SUV.
Touted as the first ‘inexpensive’ small SUV EV to reach the Australian market, the first batch of 100 orders were priced at $47,000 on the road. At launch however, that prices was lowered to $43,990 on the road. For that price however, it is loaded with many of the features that you would expect from a higher priced EV. These include a panoramic sunroof, rain sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), etc.
With a 44.5 kWh battery, it is likely to be regarded as more of a ‘city car’ - but with 50kW DC charging available via the CCS2 port, the ZS EV should be capable of the occasional longer run away from the home base.
MG ZS EV Variants
| Variant | Battery (kWh) | WLTP Range (km) | Real World Range (km) | Power Output (kW) | Torque (Nm) | Plug Types (AC/DC) | Max Charge Rate (AC/DC) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excite | 44.5 | 263 | 235 | 105 | 363 | Type 2/ CCS2 | 7.2/75 | $46,990 |
| Essence | 44.5 | 263 | 235 | 105 | 363 | Type 2/ CCS2 | 7.2/75 | $49,990 |
DRIVING RANGE
Unfortunately, the current Australian test standard cannot be relied on for an achievable driving range as it uses the superseded (and over optimistic) European NEDC test cycle. If doing mainly city to outer urban driving – the new European (WLTP) test cycle provides a better estimate or, if doing outer suburban to regional driving – US EPA.
The MG ZE EV would, at its limit, make a round-trip from the Melbourne CBD to Aireys Inlet (on the Victorian south coast) and back – provided the heating or air conditioning were not used. For this sort of trip, a 1hr top-up AC charge over lunch or a minimum 5 to 10 minute charge at one of the DC fast chargers located in Torquay, Ocean Grove or Werribee would be recommended.
CHARGING SPEEDS/REQUIREMENTS
Charging port
The ZS EV is fitted with a CCS2 socket allowing it to charge via Type 2 AC chargers as well as via CCS2 DC fast-chargers.
AC charging
Although fitted with the 3 phase type 2 AC socket as part of the CCS2 system, the ZS EV charges using single phase AC only at a maximum of 7.2kW (30A).
Charging speeds vary on the capacity of the EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) it is connected to. Approximate AC charging times for 0 – 100% and DC 0 – 80% are shown in table 1 below.
DC fast charging
The ZS EV uses the CCS2 fast-charge connector. This connector is fitted to all new EVs sold in Australian except the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. (CCS has become the main DC fast-charge system in both Australia and overseas).
MG ZS EV Time to Charge (hrs)
| Battery size (kWh) | 15A 1 phase (3.6kW) | 32A 1 phase (7.2kW) | 16A 3 phase (11kW) | 32A 3 phase (22kW) | DC Fast Charge (50kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44.5 | 15h | 7.5h | 15h | 7.5h | 40m |
HOME CHARGING CONSIDERATIONS
To get the shortest home charging time for a ZS EV, a 7kW AC EVSE would be needed.
However, depending on your existing power supply and/or charging needs, it may only be practicable to fit a lower rated EVSE. (See notes below). Lower capacity EVSEs will increase charging times, as shown in table 1 above.
Find more info about EVSEs on our FAQs page.
MG ZS EV Specifications
| Cargo space (litres) | Cargo Space with rear seats folded (litres) | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Width with mirrors (mm) | Height (mm) | Tow Rating (braked / unbraked) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 470 | 1166 | 4314 | 1809 | 2048 | 1620 | - |
