[Taboleo] Driving a Hybrid Like an Electric Car... BMW 530e PHEV

Electric Cars for Commuting, Internal Combustion Cars for Outings
PHEV Closest to Internal Combustion Vehicles
Over 80 km Driving Range on a Single Electric Charge
Driving Feel and Design Like Internal Combustion Cars... Increased Eco-Friendliness

Recently, there has been a global trend toward hybrids. As the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is slower than expected, hybrids (HEVs) are filling the gap. Many people still find EVs burdensome due to inconvenient charging, high prices, and limited driving range. Above all, the biggest concern is the fear that the battery might run out before reaching the destination. Therefore, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), which can be charged like EVs but also refueled with gasoline, are gaining attention as an alternative to EVs.

The BMW 530e is one of the PHEV models most similar to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. BMW’s brand strategy is to offer the same design, convenience features, and options across ICE, hybrid, and electric vehicles. On the 26th of last month, I personally drove the BMW 530e PHEV on an 80 km round trip route from downtown Seoul to Paju Book City. I explored the design, convenience features, driving performance, and feel of BMW’s flagship 5 Series PHEV model.

BMW 530e PHEV
Photo by BMW Korea

- Can you drive the 5 Series PHEV like an electric car?

▲ The biggest advantage of a PHEV is that it is an ‘ICE car close to an electric vehicle.’ In the city, you can drive it like an EV, and for long-distance highway driving, you can drive it like an ICE vehicle. The 530e can run 73 km in electric mode on a single charge. According to the Ministry of Environment certification, it’s 73 km, but in reality, the distance you can drive on battery power alone exceeds 80 km. Considering that the average commute distance for Seoul metropolitan area workers is 20 km, it means you can commute for 3 to 4 days on a single charge. During times of high fuel prices like now, the advantages of PHEVs are maximized. Charging time takes up to 2 hours with a typical slow charger.

BMW 530e PHEV charging port
Photo by BMW Korea

The 530e PHEV can reach a top speed of 140 km/h in electric mode. It also features rear air suspension like the electric i5. This is to maximize driving performance similar to an EV when driving in electric mode. Electric motor drive provides very strong initial acceleration. When the front of the vehicle is light and powerful output is applied, the weight distribution can be disrupted, causing the vehicle’s movement to deteriorate rapidly. Therefore, BMW installed air suspension on the rear axle to correct the front of the vehicle lifting and properly distribute the center of gravity. This enhances not only agile driving ability but also ride comfort.

- I find cars that are too electric-like a bit overwhelming.

▲ BMW pursues a strategy to maintain the same feel as ICE vehicles even in eco-friendly cars. Even with the 5 Series PHEV model, the design, trunk size, and even fuel tank capacity are the same as the ICE model. Competitors’ PHEV models often have large batteries in the trunk, reducing trunk space. BMW, however, placed the PHEV battery under the floor like an EV, securing a trunk size of 520 liters and balancing the center of gravity. The exterior design is almost identical to the ICE 5 Series, except for the charging port located on the left front side of the driver’s seat.

BMW 530e PHEV
Photo by BMW Korea

- How was the driving performance?

▲ The driving performance is so seamless in the city that you can’t tell whether it’s running on electric battery or the ICE engine. The transition between the electric motor and engine is very natural. At high speeds, the engine’s presence becomes clear. The sticky driving feel experienced in traditional BMW gasoline vehicles is faithfully reproduced. The 530e combines a 184-horsepower electric motor with a 190-horsepower TwinPower Turbo engine, delivering a maximum output of 299 horsepower. The electric motor’s power is 63% improved compared to the previous generation. When the battery and fuel tank are fully charged, it can travel up to 751 km on a single charge. The official combined fuel efficiency is 15.9 km per liter, but in real driving conditions, it has shown fuel efficiency exceeding 20 km per liter.

BMW 530e PHEV Interior
Photo by BMW Korea

- What about the price?

▲ The domestic launch price of the 530e PHEV starts at 89.2 million KRW. Compared to the 5 Series electric i5, which starts at 93.9 million KRW, it has about 6 million KRW price competitiveness. The upper limit for receiving domestic EV subsidies is 85 million KRW, so the 5 Series EV priced above 85 million KRW does not qualify for subsidies. Since one of the biggest reasons for buying an EV currently is the subsidy, if you cannot receive it, there is little reason to buy an EV. Buying an ICE vehicle in the eco-friendly car era seems like going against the times, but if you hesitate to buy a pure EV due to charging inconvenience or high price, considering a PHEV model as an alternative to EVs is worthwhile.

BMW 530e PHEV
Photo by BMW Korea