Introduction to MG ZS EV
Just recently, the idea of driving a fully electric car for around 600 km was quite daunting. For many, it still is, but an increasing number of drivers are discovering that it’s not as unrealistic as it seems. We tested an interesting electric vehicle model, which isn't widely covered in the Czech Republic - the MG ZS EV Excite version with a 69.9 kWh battery. While some EV users might be familiar with the MG 4, the ZS isn't as well-known.
However, it's a solid option for families. It may not have space to spare and won't replace large family MPVs, but our transition from an Opel Zafira to this car seems complete. Yes, it has a smaller trunk - 448 liters. But space can be salvaged with a roof box if needed. On our trip to Austria, though, that wasn't necessary.
Setting Off from Mělnicko to Dachstein
Our journey wasn't direct; it led through Třebíčsko, where we had a stopover. The total distance was about 600 km. On the first day, we stayed near Třebíč for work. The drive on D1 did not disappoint, and there were plenty of vehicles on the road. Our first attempt at charging was at Humpolec at a Tesla Supercharger. Alas, it was occupied. Right next to it were completely free E.ON charging stations, but they weren't in high demand. However, we didn't need to charge at that moment and continued our journey immediately. We charged the car overnight in Třebíč using a slow portable charger.
Day Two: Journey to Filzmoos
The next morning we set off towards Filzmoos with 93% battery. We had about 400 km and 5 hours of driving ahead, plus some charging stops. The route included local roads and highways, where we spent most kilometers. To cut to the chase, we charged only once in Asten. Besides needing a break to stretch, grab coffee, and have a snack, we voluntarily spent an hour at the charging station. It wasn't necessary, but time flew by quickly. We charged at a Tesla Supercharger. The MG ZS EV can handle charging up to 92 kW. Tesla Superchargers can charge much faster, but the speed depends not only on the station but also on your car. Initially, we charged around 90 kW; later, the speed dropped significantly above 90%. Of course, it's not necessary to wait longer; often it's better to continue driving and recharge later if needed. We opted for a longer stop and disconnected after reaching 93%.
Driving an Electric Car in Austrian Mountains
With our MG EV fully charged, we reached our destination with plenty of energy left for local trips.
Upon arrival in Filzmoos, we arranged with the guesthouse owner to charge the car using a mobile charger. We used it mainly for testing and added 7 kWh of energy to the car.
The next day we headed to the Dachsteinbahn cable car in Obertraun. Surprisingly, there were designated spots for electric cars with charging ports right in the parking lot. Although these were 'only' 11 kW charging stations, you can't expect to be back down in an hour when you go up the mountain. So we plugged in and went up.
We checked the charging status on our mobile phones and kept track of it.
At this charging station, it was necessary to correctly follow the procedure – there was a QR code that opened the charging station's page. We entered our payment card details and the provider allocated €90. This isn't cheap, but later you are only charged for the energy you actually use; the rest is released back to you. The price per kWh was higher – €0.66 – likely due to high-altitude surcharges.
Performance of MG ZS EV in Mountainous Terrain
How did the MG ZS EV perform in Dachstein's mountainous environment? I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I kept it in eco mode throughout, aiming for maximum energy efficiency with recharging at its highest level.
I quickly got used to recharging; it's an incredible aid while driving in mountains and can return a decent amount of energy back into the system.
The average consumption in this environment hovered around 13 kWh/100 km – not bad for such a spacious SUV.
While MG doesn’t offer one-pedal driving, recharging is strong enough that we're almost there – just that it doesn't come to a complete stop but moves at walking speed.