MG ZS EV: range, battery & charging
While the Long Range version of the ZS EV has an impressive 273-mile range that trumps many rivals, its charging speeds aren't as impressive
| Model | Range | Battery size | Wallbox charge time | Fast charge time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Range | 198 miles | 51kWh | 8hrs (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 36mins (10-80%, 76kW) |
| Long Range | 273 miles | 72.6kWh | 10hrs 30mins (0-100%, 7.4kW) | 42mins (10-80%, 76kW) |
There are two variants of the MG ZS EV to choose from, Standard Range and Long Range, and there are no prizes for figuring out the difference between the two. The entry-level Standard Range model is fitted with a 51kWh battery that's good for a WLTP combined range of 198 miles. The Long Range boasts a larger 72.6kWh unit that allows this electric SUV to cover up to 273 miles on a single charge in ideal conditions.
MG ZS EV range
The original ZS EV that launched in 2019 was fitted with a 44.5kWh battery that allowed for up to 163 miles of range. When MG introduced new battery sizes to the ZS EV line-up in 2022, we tried out the Long Range version and found it easy to get close to its claimed 273-mile figure.
When we first set off in our test car, it had 98% charge and showed a predicted range of 267 miles, which rose to 280 miles when switched into Eco mode. Over 127 miles of motorways, B-roads and city streets, the ZS EV Long Range averaged 3.7 miles per kWh, which translates to a real-world range of around 252 miles.
Charge time
The MG ZS EV has a maximum charging speed of 76kW, which is less than the 100kW peak that both the Peugeot e-2008 and Hyundai Kona Electric can reach, and even further behind the BYD Atto 3’s 150kW. Still, topping up the base model ZS EV’s 51kWh battery from 10-80% will take around 38 minutes, and this will only increase to 42 minutes if you go for the Long Range model with the larger 72.6 kWh pack. Fully recharging either variant using a 7.4kW wallbox takes eight or 10-and-a-half hours respectively.