The Cupra Born Electric Hatchback - the perfect small EV to lease?

Is the Cupra Born Electric Hatchback the perfect small EV to lease?

The October 2023 statistics have landed from SMMT  and the results make good reading for cars like the Cupra Born.

Of the 153,529 registrations, some 23,943 vehicles were pure electric (or BEV), which is a 20% increase from the same time in 2022. But with market share at around 15.6%, lithium-ion tech is still a little behind the petrol segment (at over 40%) and is only marginally ahead of hybrid technology (at nearly 13%).

But what may be slightly concerning is that private registrations of a new BEV / pure electric only accounts for 1 in 4, with businesses and fleets taking up the rest. While no EV featured in the UKs top 10 best-sellers in October 2023, in terms of year-to-date the Tesla Model Y is still cemented at the 5th spot with just over 30,000 units registered so far.

As highlighted in the report, there perhaps need to be more support to the consumer market, for new and used EVs, with adjustments like removing Vat on public charging or interest free loans for used electric cars. But in the long-term, affordability and practicality will be key, so cars like the Cupra Born will likely feature.

The Born is a great alternative to an electric car customer considering a  VW ID3 , MG4  or the Vauxhall Astra  among other all-electric hatchback options.

In many ways, personal or business lease customers want like-for-like alternatives to the combustion favourites - Ford Focus, VW Golf and Audi A3. Apart from SUVs, this is where most UK customers look in terms of motoring solutions. With cost constraints, the luxury / prestige and sports car section is probably a little less popular.

The Cupra has almost certainly been a leading contender but even more so recently where we have enjoyed strong discounts and deals on stock 58 kWh standard vehicles. Customers can choose between great specification like:

•  V1 - from £36,475 this includes 18” alloys, electrically adjustable/folding/heated door mirrors, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, navigation, 5.3” digital cockpit, 12” central display, smartphone integration, air conditioning, heated steering wheel, keyless-go and lane assist; 

•  V2 - from £38,395 this adds 19” alloys, dark tinted windows, rear view camera, heated front seats and shock absorption; and  

•  V3 - from £40,150 this adds 20” alloys, Granite Grey Dinamica, aluminium pedals and bucket seats.

But how long will the Cupra Born EV take to charge?

This is a key question which many customers pose, particularly those experiencing electric transport for the first time. But the actual answer to this is that “it depends”. There are two key distinctions to make when looking at a new electric car which is:

•  AC - Alternating Current. This will generally be noted on a car’s specification as one of 7kW/11kW/22kW AC. This is the vehicle setting out the maximum capacity on alternating current, which the vehicle’s onboard charger can convert to DC. The higher the number, the more capable this vehicle will be at converting and therefore the quicker it will be at charging. AC charging solutions are commonly utilised at home or workplaces and will be a more steady solution for allowing your car to charge to 100% capacity. Very few EVs have 22kW AC onboard chargers, so anything less than this will take several hours depending on the vehicle’s battery size. Often referred to as a slower charging solution, AC is effectively how most customers will charge their vehicles;

VS

•  DC - Direct Current. An EV battery will take DC without any need for converting (via the onboard charger). Because of this, an EV will be able to charge more quickly on a DC, known as a rapid / ultra-rapid charging solution. But not unlike the AC there will be a maximum numeric value shown on the vehicle which will set out the car’s capability on rapid charging. With the exception of a few options, many EVs will only charge to around 80/85% on a DC format to protect the battery, so charging times are often set out as 10-80%, as opposed to 100% capacity. Also worth noting - charging on DC solutions is often more expensive than AC; there is a cost for convenience!

When you understand the charging capability of your EV you can use this information along with your battery size, shown as kWh, to ascertain the time it will take to charge. But do bear in mind that you need to ensure that the charge point you are utilising is capable of the maximum.

For example, the Cupra Born has an 11kW AC charging capability but if you connect this to your domestic charging point with 7.4 kW, this will charge in accordance with the charge point’s power. The fact your EV can potentially charge quicker is irrelevant (which is why we work with Zap Map to ensure you understand this - So taking the Cupra Born, see the charging times set out below for AC solutions:

•  Wall Plug - a standard 2.3 kW 3-pin plug will take near 30 hours to fully charge the vehicle. This is a rate of 7 miles worth of driving for every hour of charging;
• Standard domestic charge point - the 7.4 kW will take just over 9 hours to fully charge the vehicle. This is a rate of 23 miles worth of driving for every hour of charging;
•  3-Phase commercial charge point -  the 11 kW AC charging solution will take just over 6 hours to fully charge the vehicle. This is a rate of 34 miles worth of driving for every hour of charging; and 
•  3-Phase commercial charge point -  a 22 kW charging solution will take exactly the same as above because the onboard charger is limited to the 11kW. The car cannot charge any quicker on this solution. 

The same principle applies to DC, or rapid charging solutions, which can also be utilised by an EV driver. On the Cupra Born the maximum capability is 124kW DC, which again gives you an indication of what charging solution you should be connecting to, although you can use Zap Map to help work this out . 

•  Rapid Solution - a standard 50 kW will take just over 50 minutes to charge the vehicle from 10 - 80%. This is a rate of 170 miles worth of driving for every hour of charging;
•  Rapid Solution - a quicker 100 kW will take just over 35 minutes to charge the vehicle from 10 - 80%. This is a rate of 240 miles worth of driving for every hour of charging; and 
•  Ultra-Rapid - a quicker 150 kW will take just over 30 minutes to charge the vehicle from 10 - 80%. This is a rate of 290 miles worth of driving for every hour of charging. 

The same analogy applies to DC solutions above, in that the car’s maximum dictates your charge solution. If you arrive at a charging station and you have a choice of either a  50kW DC - 150kW DC - 250kW DC you should be aware that your Cupra would only want to connect to the 50 or 150 option.

Why you ask? Because the speed of charge will often dictate the cost, in that more rapid solutions will cost you more per kWh. If you are limited to a maximum peak of 124kW, it makes no sense to connect to the higher power charging point, particularly as this will generally cost more than the 150kW option. 

However, you need to consider the time it will take to charge against cost, in that you could connect to the 50kW option (and pay less) but you could be sat waiting for over 20 minutes more to reach 80% capacity. And if you need to get to 100%, you may need to disconnect from a DC solution and re-connect to an AC option to go from 80 - 100%. As you can appreciate this will again take more time.

In terms of the car shown, the Cupra BORN ELECTRIC HATCHBACK 150kW V1 58kWh 5dr Auto (Pure Electric Vehicle), this is based on the following configuration:

• Aurora Blue Premium paint
•  SEAQUAL Yarn cloth - Black
• 19" Tyhoon Alloys, PY1 tool kit, PZC Pilot Pack
•  Charging cable mode 3, type 2/3 32 A  

But how does the Cupra Born perform?

This RWD hatch will have a 58 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 7.3 seconds, 99 mph top speeds and 150 kW (or 201hp). Expect a combined winter range of 180 miles with warmer weather allowing for 250 miles.

On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 6 hour and 15 minute  0 – 100% charging times with the 124 kW DC maximum allowing 31 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 385L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 150 mpg. This EV will have no Bidirectional charging. And the car will not be able to tow.