If requested what the Skoda model’s first electrical automobile was, many would most likely guess the Enyaq, which was launched in 2020. When it comes to giant collection manufacturing, this may increasingly apply to the MEB SUV, which was the best-selling electrical automobile in Germany in October 2024. Nevertheless, Skoda was already addressing the subject of electromobility in 2010.
And in a method that reminds us of BMW right now. Take a automobile with an inner combustion engine and convert it to electrical drive. On 29 September 2010, Skoda despatched out a press launch that confidently said:
“Škoda Auto is becoming a member of the vanguard of the electrical automobile motion. On the 2010 Paris Motor Present from 2 to 17 October, the Czech producer might be presenting the Octavia Inexperienced E Line idea research, the primary automobile with a purely electrical drive. Škoda is thus as soon as once more demonstrating its revolutionary energy and technological experience. The deployment of an preliminary take a look at fleet is already deliberate for 2011.”
23
Skoda
The corporate is dedicated to environmentally pleasant mobility, it mentioned. The intention for the longer term is to drive with out emissions. “The Octavia Inexperienced E Line completely embodies our model values. It combines the need for particular person mobility with the purpose of defending the environment,” mentioned Skoda boss Winfried Vahland on the time.
The Inexperienced E Line idea automobile was primarily based on the then second-generation Skoda Octavia Combi. Because of its modular flooring meeting, the manufacturing mannequin was “ideally suited” (authentic quote) for the set up of a battery, digital management unit and electrical motor. The electrical motor delivered 82 PS in steady operation, with a peak output of 115 PS.
The utmost torque of 270 Nm was already accessible when beginning off. The Octavia Inexperienced E Line accelerated from 0 to 62 mph in “solely” twelve seconds. The highest pace was restricted to 84 mph.
Picture by: Picture: Skoda
Skoda Octavia Inexperienced E Line (2010)
The Octavia Inexperienced E Line drew its electrical vitality from a contemporary lithium-ion battery. “With a variety of 87 miles, it meets the necessities of most commuters in Europe,” mentioned Skoda on the time. The battery consisted of 180 particular person lithium-ion cells, every with a diameter of 150 mm and a size of 650 mm.
It had an output of 26.5 kilowatt hours and weighed round 315 kilograms. The battery block was put in beneath the centre and rear automobile flooring and partly within the boot. In line with Skoda, this meant that the house accessible for the occupants and the boot quantity had been hardly restricted. 5 fully-fledged seats had been accessible for the passengers. The occupants had the identical quantity of house as within the standard Octavia Combi with combustion engine.
Picture by: Picture: Skoda
Skoda Octavia Inexperienced E Line (2010)
The driving force of the Octavia Inexperienced E Line was continuously supplied with all of the necessary data on present efficiency, consumption and battery cost standing in addition to the remaining vary of the automobile. The navigation system show additionally confirmed the present vitality move. This meant that the driving force knew in each scenario whether or not and the way a lot energy was at the moment being consumed or whether or not energy was being recovered – for instance when braking or coasting downhill.
The particular drive system of the Skoda Octavia Inexperienced E Line on the time was additionally emphasised by its exterior look. The idea automobile was painted within the color pearl white. Chrome components on the entrance, rear and wheels emphasised the elegant and discreet contact. The shiny black roof of the automobile supplied an efficient color distinction. This featured a panoramic glass roof with built-in photovoltaic components.
Picture by: Picture: Skoda
Skoda Octavia Inexperienced E Line (2010)
Picture by: Picture: Skoda
Skoda Octavia Inexperienced E Line (2010)
And what occurred subsequent? “Skoda is already planning to ship an Octavia Inexperienced E Line take a look at fleet onto the highway in the midst of 2011. The corporate expects this sensible utility to supply additional insights for the additional improvement of the electrical drive,” said the press launch from September 2010.
In February 2012, the corporate reported again with information concerning the electrical Octavia: “Skoda is intensively testing its electrical automobile fleet primarily based on the just lately offered ten ŠKODA Octavia Inexperienced E Line. Within the present part, all the things revolves round new findings from on a regular basis operation. Now Skoda can also be deploying one of many Inexperienced E Line electrical autos at Prague Airport.”
Picture by: Picture: Skoda
Skoda Octavia Inexperienced E Line (2012)
It continues: “The on a regular basis experiences are primarily used to fine-tune the electrical autos. Within the subsequent step, these might be made accessible to chose companions from the tip of March 2012.”
“We’re at the moment placing our fleet by means of its paces, as a result of we need to present the drivers of our autos with completely tuned autos. We make no distinction between manufacturing autos and take a look at fleets,” Petr Kristl, Head of Growth Electromobility/Electrical Traction at Skoda, was quoted as saying on the time.
“Earlier than we make the automobiles accessible to our companions in just a few weeks, we need to guarantee that our Octavia Inexperienced E Line can simply address on a regular basis use. The challenges embrace, for instance, common commuting to work or uneven metropolis journeys,” Kristl continued on the time.
Picture by: Picture: Skoda
Skoda Octavia Inexperienced E Line (2010)
The take a look at fleet of ten Octavia Inexperienced E Line autos was meant to supply Skoda with necessary customer-relevant findings for the additional improvement of the electrical drive by means of to collection manufacturing. These included options for the use or show of recent features, the positioning of the charging socket (!) and the way the automobile outfitted with the quiet electrical drive attracts consideration to itself acoustically.
The take a look at operation of the fleet comprised three phases: The primary and second phases had been primarily used for inner checks at Skoda: on-line diagnostic communication was trialled, as was the general complicated help for buyer operations. Within the upcoming third part from the tip of March 2012, the e-vehicles had been then to be made accessible to exterior companions similar to vitality corporations, instructional institutions or authorities.
Nonetheless, it was to take one other eight years and a diesel scandal earlier than the Enyaq was prepared. The statements from 2012 stay, which from right now’s perspective sound extra like BMW: “The Czech automobile producer’s actions within the area of electromobility are an necessary a part of its drive and gasoline technique. Within the medium time period, Skoda is assuming a mixture of completely different drive varieties. This additionally consists of the additional optimisation of the extremely environment friendly TDI and TSI engines and their transmissions.”
