Vehicle
Hybrids & Electrics
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
Introduction
The press, the media, and political powers, are all talking about the choice of car engines, which is no longer just a simple decision between gasoline or diesel. Indeed, electrification has been integrated into our vehicles, but it has not yet been fully adopted in our habits. The aim of the ACL user guide is to help you discover not only the various electrified engines available on the market but also the solutions for recharging them.
This guide will inform you about the advantages and disadvantages of electrified engines, guiding you in your selection process.
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
Electrified Cars
An electrified car is a vehicle that uses electric energy partially or entirely to move via one or more electric motors. This category includes several types of engines, including 100 % electric car, Plug-in hybrids (rechargeable) and traditional hybrids (self-recharging). Mild forms of hybridization, such as the 48V Mild-Hybrid or 12V Micro-Hybrid, are not included because they only use electricity to assist the combustion engine during acceleration or for the «Stop&Start» function. These mild hybrids do not allow the vehicle to run solely on electrical power, thus limiting fuel savings and reducing CO2 emissions.
Although often seen as a constraint, the range of electric cars improves every year, now reaching around 600 km under real conditions for the best models.
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
Full Hybrid (HEV – Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
Advantages :
A Full Hybrid or Traditional Hybrid vehicle consists of two different propulsion sources : an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors powered by a low-capacity battery (around 2 kWh).
The traditional hybrid recharges its battery autonomously while driving,either by recovering energy during braking or by transferring excess energy from the internal combustion engine to its battery,preventing it from discharging. However, HEVs can achieve low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions without needing to be plugged into a power outlet.
Flexibility of autonomous battery recharging (not need to plug in a cable)
Equivalent to combustion vehicle (routine refueling)
Lower-priced than a PHEV version
Reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to an equivalent combustion vehicle
Purchase price only slightly higher for some manufacturers
Disadvantages :
No subsidies or financial aid
Extra weight from the battery and electrical system (+/- 80 kg)
Limited range in all-electric mode (restricted to urban trips or in stabilised speed)
Higher maintenance costs compared to 100 % électric vehicles
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
Compared to an HEV, a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) is equipped with a larger capacity battery (between 10 et 32 kWh), that can be recharged from an electrical outlet.
The real autonomy in all-electric range varies from 35 à 110 km, depending on the model and battery capacity.
Unlike a traditional hybrid, the PHEV requires regular charging from an outlet to maintain low fuel consumption (gasoline or diesel) ; otherwise, this consumption will significantly increase. Most PHEVs offer a choice between all-electric, hybrid, or combustion engine modes, depending on the battery charge level and driving conditions.
Advantages :
Greater 100 % electric range compared to a Full Hybrid HEV
Choice between electric, hybrid and combustion engine modes
High flexibility of use (If the battery is empty, the combustion engine takes over)
If the battery is regularly charged and the vehicle is used in electric mode, very low fuel consumption can be achieved (+/- 2 L/100 km) along with low CO2 emissions (< 50 g/km)
Reduced battery charging time compared to a 100 % electric vehicle
Disadvantages :
No subsidies or financial aid
Significantly higher purchase price compared to a traditional hybrid vehicle HEV
Purchase price equivalent to some 100 % electric vehicles
Very frequent recharging needed due to the limited electric range
Very high comsumption (4 / 5 times higher than the advertised value), especially in urban driving when the battery is depleted
Much heavier vehicle (up to + 450 kg) compared to a combustion engine vehicle (impacting driving behavior, comfort and fuel consumption when the battery is depleted)
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
Electric Vehicle (BEV – Battery Electric Vehicle)
This is a 100 % electric vehicle that draws its energy from a large battery (up to 213 kWh / Hummer EV). Its battery must be recharged via an electrical outlet (either at a home or public charging station), and its real-world range generally varies between 150 et 600 km depending on the model.
The range of a BEV is heavily influenced by the driving style, decreasing significantly at high speeds (highway driving), in winter weather, and when adopting a dynamic driving style.
Advantages :
Puchase subsidies available
No local pollutant and CO2 emissions
More comfortable driving experience (Less noise and fewer vibrations) compared to a combustion engine vehicle
Lower operating costs than a combustion engine vehicle due to simplified maintenance and, for now, attractive battery recharging costs
Easy home recharging when possible and via the public network
Well-developed public charging station network in Europe
Disadvantages :
Higher purchase price without subsidies
Heavier than an equivalent combustion engine vehicle (up to + 300 kg)
Battery drains quickly during highway or dynamic driving
Reduced range depending on weather conditions
Much longer recharging time compared to refueling a combustion engine vehicle under highway conditions
SUBSIDIES
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
Electric Cars
The Luxembourg government encourages the purchase of electric vehicles (BEV). Traditional hybrids (HEV) and Plug-In hybrids (PHEV) are not eligible.
1 500 €
For used electric vehicles over three years old.
3 000 €
For 100 % electric vehicles consuming between 16 et 18 kWh/100 km, as well as vehicles consuming up to 20 kWh/100 km with a power output of 150 kW or less.
6 000 €
For 100 % electric vehicles consuming up to 16 kWh/100 km, 7 or 9 seater vehicles (for families with least five members), 100 % electric light commercial vehicles, and hydrogen vehicles (fuel cell).
These provisions will apply to vehicles ordered from October 1 ,2024. This subsidy can be claimed after the vehicle’s first registration. The holding period for new vehicles must be 3 years and 2 years for used vehicles.
Battery and Environmental Impact
Let’s conclude this chapter in electrified vehicles by addressing the issue of the battery. The battery must continue to evolve to offer more comfortable range, reduce its weight to minimize its impact on the vehicle’s weight and handling, and become more affordale to make electrified vehicles accessible to a wider audience. Moreover, the natural resources needed for battery production also pose challenges, as they are not unlimited, and increasing range requires larger batteries, which in turn require more and rare metals.
On June 14, 2023, The European Union adopted new regulations on batteries and battery waste. According to these regulations, by the end of 2025, 65 % of the average weight of lithium batteries must be recycled.
By 2031, new batteries must contain 85 % lead, 16 % cobalt, and 6 % recycled lithium and nickel. In the following years, the standards for battery recycling and production will become even stricter. This initiative aims to promote better lifecycle management of batteries in Europe, from design to disposal.
Electric car batteries can also benefit from a « second life » and be reused as « storage batteries » for photovoltaic panels. Battery technology is evolving rapidly, and there is still a long way to go before 100% electric vehicles become a sustainable and realistic solution for everyone.
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
Charging Stations
Battery charging is a major concern for users of electrified vehicles. Unlike HEVs, which recharge automatically, PHEVs and BEVs need to be plugged into a power outlet or a dedicated charging station to recharge their batteries. Various solutions exist, ranging from a cable with an integrated control box (ICCB, adapter 230V) for slow charging, to HPC (High Power Charging) fast-charging stations, including home or public charging stations for accelerated charging. Let’s take a closer look at how all this works.
Cable with Integrated Controle Box
(ICCB)
This cable, also known as a mobile charging station, plugs into a standard power outlet 230V and is equipped with an inegrated control box that regulates the current and ensures safe connections. All PHEV and BEV vehicles are typically supplied with this type of cable to be charged from a standard domestic socket.
Since these sockets are generally limited to 10 A, this allows a charging power of 2,3 kW (230V – 10 A) or even 3,7 kW (230V – 16 A) if using a dedicated, reinforced socket.
You can also charge your vehicle with the ICCB using a specific adapter connected to a single-phase or three phase industrial CEE socket. However, if the charging power exceeds or equals 7 kW, the CEE socket must be load-shed by the network manager using the Smarty meter.
Remember :
This option is not suitable for fully electric vehicles, as these sockets are not designed for intensive use.
Opting for charging from a domestic socket limits the charging power, significantly extending the time required to recharge the vehicle. Therefore, this method is more suitable for occasional charging or low-capacity batteries (PHEVs). Indeed, when charging from a standard domestic socket, charging losses due to heat dissipation are quite significant, reaching around 25%.
All charging equipment for an electric vehicle with a single-phase charging infrastructure with a power greater than 4,6 kW or a three-phase charging infrastructures greater than or equal to 7 kW must be declared to Creos.
You can access the declaration from the customer portal : mycreos.
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
Home Charging Station
The home charging station, or Wallbox, is a fixed charging station connected to the network of a private residence.
For comfort and safety reasons, it is recommended to install a wall-mounted charging station for private charging infrastructure. Depending on the building’s electrical installation, it allows you to charge an electrified vehicle up to 11 kW.
The ACL supports its members in the energy transition and offers competitive charging solutions. In our shops, you can find products from our partner, go-e, an Austrian company that offers quality products.
These stations are particularly suitable for single-family homes and will allow you to charge your plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or fully electric vehicle safely.
Member prices : starting at 1800 € including VAT for standard installation (fixed GEMINI 11 kW charging station + installation at your home).
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
It is also possible to purchase the Wallbox separately and have it installed by a certified electrician. It is important to note that the Wallbox must comply with European standards, have a load-shedding function, and have a Smarty meter installed.
The site www.adac.de offers a comparative list of many Wallbox at various prices, as does Klima Agency : https://bornes.klima-agence.lu
Single-phase charging infrastructures for electric vehicles with a power greater than 4,6 kW and three-phase charging infrastructures greater than or equal to 7 kW must be registered with and approved by the network manager.
In the case of apartment buildings, it is essential to obtain the consent of a majority of co-owners before installation. This consent must be recorded in the minutes of the co-owners’ meeting.
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
SUBSIDIES
Acquisitions and installation of private wallbox
The Luxembourg government encourages the acquisition of private charging stations through purchase subsidies, up to a power capacity of 11 kW.
Charging station
Simple charging station *
Subsidies
50 % of the purchase price HTVA Up to 750 €
Smart charging station **
1 - 3 Units
50 % of the purchase price HTVA Up to 1 200 €
Applicant
≥ 4 Units
Smart charging station **
Charging station integrated into a collective intelligent charge management system *
* Compliant with connection requirements (TAB)
50 % of the purchase price HTVA Up to 1 200 €
Owner Tenant
Owner Tenant Union
50 % of the purchase price HTVA Up to 1 650 €
** OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) + compliant with connection requirements (TAB)
Public Charging Station –Accelerated Charging AC ≤ 22 kW
In Luxembourg, there is a wide range of both public and private accelerated charching stations available. These charging stations provide power up to 22 kW. However, the actual power supplied depends on various factors, such as the vehicle’s onboard alternating curent (AC) charger, which can reach up to 22 kW depending on the model, and the power demand on the network at that time of day. These charging stations do not have an integrated cable, so it is essential to always carry a Type 2 cable in your vehicle to connect to them.
Luxembourg has around 2 750 accelerated charging points, located in public municipal car parks, supermarkets, and park-and-ride (P+R) facilities, making it easier to user access charging. Several calls for projects have been launched to strengthen the country’s charging network.
According to the Luxembourg government, 98 % of residents have the least one charging point accessible within a 5-minute drive.
Public Charging Station –Fast Charging DC ≥ 50 kW
Fast charging stations (HPC for High Power Charging) enable rapid battery charging, with high power capacities ranging from 50 kW to 400 kW.
In Luxembourg, there are around 350 fast charging points offering power of up to 400 kW. These stations are easily recognizable, as they resemble large electrical cabinets and feature built-in Combo CCS Type 2 charging connectors.
As with accelereted charging station, the actual power delivered depends on the vehicle’s built-in direct current (DC) charger, which can handle up to 400 kW. It is important to note that the more powerful the built-in charger, the faster the vehicle will charge.
In general, stations equipped with two connectors will split the available power in half when used simultaneously. Whenever possible, choose an available charger to benefit from the full charging power.
A map of charging stations in Luxembourg is available on the website : www.chargy.lu or via the ACL app.
Voitures
Charging times for different type of stations
A quick reminder :
Charging time = (in hours)
Battery Capacity (in kWh)
Charging Power (in kW)
The illustration below shows the charging times for an electric vehicle that needs to cover 40 km (the average daily distance for residents of Luxembourg) and consumes 20 kWh/100 km.
Charging
charging from a domestic socket (not recommended for EVs)
charging on a public charging station
More information can be found on the Klima website, section : « Comment charger votre voiture électrique ? »
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
However, it is not necessary to charge your car daily, just as with a combustion engine vehicle.
The choice of an electric vehicle should be based on your daily usage. There is no need to opt for a large battery if you only drive a few kilometers per day.
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
Charging Cards
The complexity related to payment cards for charging electrified vehicles can cause some confusion among consumers, especially when they need to travel abroad. Indeed, there are many charging card providers, and the price per kWh is set by the charging service operators. This rate can vary for the same charging station depending on the energy provider, and therefore one the charging card used (each provider negotiates and sets its own price per kWh).
It it also essentiel to distinguish between national and international contexts to better understand this issue related to charging cards.
In Luxembourg, accelerated charging stations accept both national and international charging cards. On DC fast charging stations, payment by bank card is also possible.
Alternatively, you can order an enodrive badge from Enovos. To do so, download the enodrive app for free and create your account. You will automatically be offered the option to order a badge. You will then receive a monthly invoice covering the charging sessions you have made. This badge, which costs €12, is free for ACL members. To take advantage of this offer, enter your membership number when ordering. This code can be used only once.
Charging an electric vehicle abroad can be challenging due to the large number of operators and certain limitations, such as the incompatibility of national cards and the variety of pricing models (per kWh, per minute, or mixed). The ACL recommends having several charging cards to adapt to payment and tariff variations depending on the operators and regions.
With the entry into force of the European AFIR regulation in Avril 2024, bank card payment becomes mandatory at all public fast charging stations (≥ 50 kW) on the trans-European network, with price clearly displayed (per kWh, per minute, or per session). This regulation also requires a charging station every 60 km along the main road corridors. In France, 99 % of motorway service areas are already equipped, and in Germany, the network will soon include 30 000 charging points.
National
International
Free for members
Voitures Hybrides & Électriques
For your travels, you can use several mobile Apps, Here are some Examples :
A Better Route PlanerItinerary planner
Charge MapItinerary planner
Charge PricePrice comparison tool for kWh at public charging stations
Regarding card payments, Enovos offers the Enodrive badge, which includes a roaming feature allowing you to use this card at over 180 000 charging stations across Europe. Many other cards are also available for charging abroad.
You can check the network of charging stations abroad by visiting the websites of foreign charging card providers, here are some examples :
SHELL - www.shellrecharge.com
PLUGSURFING - www.plugsurfing.com
CHARGEMAP - www.chargemap.com
ENODRIVE - www.enodrive.lu
