Parts of the MG ZS EV you've never seen before - we climb underneath an electric car and look around

[@johnbmorrell]

Great video Thanks, We have just bought a secondhand MGZS ev in the UK and are pleased to see that for a cheap car it is well put together with quality partsand attention to detail ie paint stripes on all the fasteners, thanks again mate!

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Congrats on the purchase and glad the video helped. Cheers.

[@keithgeorge7338]

Thanks for the vid from a U.K. MG ZS EV owner. Great weather! Have fun.

[@johndalgliesh9220]

Fantastic, thanks for this video. I've got underneath my MG ZS EV a few times (without a trench) trying to see how it all links up and wasn't able to figure it out. This makes everything clear. Good to know that the 'surface rust' isn't a big deal as I was worried about it.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi John, thanks for watching and replying with a comment. Great you enjoyed the video and enjoy your ZSEV.

[@NickW1111]

SD is Service Disconnect - pulling that orange plug isolates the HV battery. And thanks for the video - fascinating!

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Thanks for watching!

[@EVBrief]

Thanks for the comprehensive run down! Anyone who still has hang-ups about Chinese build quality needs to see your videos.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Thanks! We're expecting Chinese made EV's will be a dominant force over the next few years by manufacturing a wide range of quality, value for money electric cars for mainstream car buyers. Japan and South Korea all over again.

[@EVBrief]

@@ElectricCarAustralia 100%. EVs are the great leveller in auto manufacturing.

[@jesperpedersen1388]

Hallo Australia. I have been looking at hundred's or more of KZbin videos of the MG ZS EV, and owned one since July. But never got to see it from underneath, so thank you so much for making this video. You seem to be happy about the build quality in the hidden areas. It's a great car for the price and it seems to be good build👍. Enjoy your car on the sunny part of the world.✌️

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Thanks Jesper, and glad to hear you like your car. Make sure you Subscribe to our Channel as we will have a follow up video later next month covering feedback and comments on this video. Cheers

[@abuanihas3pazg149]

Ah love your visitors, God bless them and us all.

[@joetheblowjoetheblowdave968]

Thank you so much ECA I have the same model and colour as you bought in June 2020 all good so far. I love your home setup. Your filming and commentary are excellent, you have explained in great detail the underneath of the vehicle. Good luck with your channel. Brian from Liverpool UK.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Thanks Brian, appreciate the feedback.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Brian, follow up question. Did you get 2 charge leads included in your purchase in the UK?

[@joetheblowjoetheblowdave968]

Electric Car Australia : The deal I got was the granny charger only, but the dealer included comfort pack, so mud flaps, boot liner, and carpets. The government here subsidies my home 7kw charger and also contributes £3000 towards the upfront cost of electric vehicles under £40000 . As I'm a light user mileage wise I have only used the home chargers. BTW one tip don't be the first in the queue to get software updates - listening to the forums here MG can issue a warranty update for instance to the battery management system only for it to be later reissued, as the first and sometimes the second version have issues. So maybe wait until your dealer is confident in the download. I can send you a link where the software issue is discussed more fully. Brian

[@Prkshdarshan]

Proud Zs Ev owner From Kathmandu 🇳🇵, lived in Brisbane for 5 years...good to see EV around brisbane.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Thanks for watching Prakash, Kathmandu, another beautiful place.

[@evs2k]

MSD is the main service disconnect. In the event of an accident, or when doing any HV service you pulled that plug and it makes the HV lines safe. It really should be more accessible like in other EVs.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi, thanks for the comment and yep is a bit hidden.

[@WTFaq]

Thank you for taking the time. Looks like they have room for a bigger battery at the the back. I wonder why they didn’t put a cover over the engine and gear box.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Andrew, can't go bigger capacity battery unless they make it lighter-weight as the payload is already limited to 500kg, Inc passengers gear etc. Not sure on the cover; air flow, cost, weight maybe?

[@franciscoshi1968]

@@ElectricCarAustralia why put a cover if you don't need to open the hood. It is not as if you need to do maintenance on them.

[@basincut100]

Thanks a lot for this look at the technical stuff. It all looks like industrial strength to me. Extremely interesting. I slapped a deposit down yesterday for a ZS EV due for delivery at the end of May. My last MG was a TC built in Abdingdon on Thames in 1948 which I sold in 1967 so we’ll see how the EV compares! Certainly the ride quality will be a little better. Thanks again. Subbed btw.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi, thanks for watching and the Sub. I think you will be happy with the ZS EV but would like to hear the comparison to the 1948 model. My parents had an MGB but I was a bit young at the time so cant make a comparison :)

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Excellent coverage of the underage :) (Thanks - that was good).

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Thanks Benny, appreciate the feedback.

[@4wheelsgood]

Hi again from UK. Jealous of your AUS sunshine! Enjoy the MG, I'm on my 3rd Nissan Leaf now, love the EV drive. All the best!

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Thanks Jon, stay safe.

[@glenndumlao3966]

Excellent video. Exactly the sort of nerdy thing i would also do with my car when i get it. Would that we could do that on scouting for a car to buy, no? Thanks for your video. Cheers

[@clausschieritz6350]

Tanks for this view under the car. More of this.

[@philreilly6959]

Hi from the UK. I'm thinking of buying the ZS EV and have seen a couple of videos here in the UK that showed some corrosion on a car that was only a few months old, so it was really interesting to find your channel at exactly the right time! I found it really interesting and informative, so thanks for that. I've subscribed so I don't miss your future offerings. All the best for the future.

[@freddieparrydrums]

Hi mate, I work at a garage, had one come in a 64 plate. Rotten underneath, wouldn’t recommend

[@philreilly6959]

@@freddieparrydrums Hi Freddie, Thanks for the heads up. I'd decided not to chance it, especially as I read one comment from somebody that said MG were trying to tell them that it wasn't covered by the warranty!!!!! You're 100% right - best avoided. Cheers

[@freddieparrydrums]

@@philreilly6959 Hi Phil, absolutely no worries!!! Came in and I was wondering how it was so blimmin rusty, had plastic covers on the underside, I would assume that's because in an MOT we cannot disassemble the car, so we cannot check for rust. It was pretty bad to be honest!! And that's not good to hear, shame about MG really. Good one for not buying one, at first they do look tempting but just wouldn't risk it personally!!! Cheers mate 👍

[@GRAHAMAUS]

Test drove one the other day -- very impressed overall. The Chinese are coming!

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Yes; great to see more models available, particularly in Australia in the lower priced brackets.

[@mgjohn8534]

G'Day Mate from "up over" here in the UK. I'd be a bit hesitant and wary poking bare hands about in those areas with high voltages nearby. Maybe less danger in reality. I like to work on my cars but, those EVs may not be very DIY user friendly as my petrol cars. That was very interesting. A refreshingly different and informative viewpoint in every way literally. You appear impressed on the build quality of this car which after all, is just another ordinary production consumer item like most others. For two years, I have been running an eight year old Chinese MG6 TSE 1.8T Turbo alongside my other daily driver, a UK built MG ZT-T 1.8T turbo I have had for much longer. I like to maintain and service my cars. Always have done. In doing so, I too have been surprised by the good build quality of the Chinese MG6. Much better than some would have us believe here in the UK when they first appeared. The various fasteners be they large or small bolts and nuts, self-tapping screws and even plastic fasteners appear made of better quality metals etc than the same items on the UK MG which has many close similarities. Even self tapping screws in the wheel arches exposed to all the road filth thrown up by the wheels are easily undone. Their metal appears far more corrosion resistant than the UK MG's ones. This makes working on the relatively corrosion free fasteners much easier. No stubborn fasteners or worse, like rounded flats weakened by corrosion making removal very difficult or sometimes impossible with normal tools. Yes, the MG6 is a much better car than some would have you believe. Unlikely to ever buy an MG ZS EV. The recently arrived in the UK MG5 however, does appeal. Had close look at one a while back. It's a modern version of the MG ZT-Ts I've been driving for years. An estate car for the 2020s making an appealing change to the masses of SUV/Crossovers which are now very common on our roads. Subscribed and look forward to updates.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Thanks MG John, good points you raise. I'm also used to doing own car servicing but will be limited to only mechanical on the ZS EV, nothing electrical expect for 12 volt battery when that goes. I hear you with the MG5. This would also suit us much better being a station wagon - Aussie for estate and if they decide to bring them into Aust we would trade the ZS on it. Will have to wait and see. Thanks for watching. Stay safe.

[@garyfindlay5503]

Thank you for the look around.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Gary, thanks for watching. 👍

[@keithvarnals6052]

Looks good enough to me

[@yggdrasil9039]

Great stuff. Very informative. Saving up for a BEV (currently running a HEV) and this is high on my list.

[@Fixingthingz4u]

The D was Diagnostic port great videos mate keep them up :) how are you liking it im looking at the 2022 atm any things i should look for ?

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Thanks for letting us know. Great value EV, the 2022 model will need aftermarket tinting as with all MG's but other than that the new model has improved in many areas, except interior lighting....a bug bear of mine.

[@Fixingthingz4u]

@@ElectricCarAustralia Thanks mate yeah im going to install the led lighting strip as others have done looks easy enough and also a AAWIRELESS as well much needed :)

[@samj4348]

I can't wait for the hatch they announce this year.... $3X,000 AUD sounds interesting!!

[@drewbriggs7749]

instablaster

[@Reddylion]

nice video.

[@roshanbhandari1668]

Thanks for the video mate.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Thanks for watching Roshan, glad you liked it.

[@chrisn5935]

Good video !

[@russellfelton6610]

Very Crocodile Dundee with the little cooling thingy and something to do with high voltage. Its a wonder you didn't ask the flying insect the time. Lol. You are the first I have seen to look underneath and it was very interesting, thank you.

[@3000Robbo]

Informative video thank you ECA. Does the battery cooling system use water? Does it need topping up?

[@shikoku14]

It's liquid cooled/heated and it needs changing at the 4th service, more on how the pack is built here kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ_QoqR4aJqsd7M

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Robin, thanks for watching. As per other comment, yes a combination of water and coolant to be changed at particular service. No need to top up in normal use as a closed system.

[@stephen7630]

Thanks for this. I'm in Australia as well and I'm a bit scared of getting a Chinese car since I've heard bad things about reliability and quality. However none of the others suit my needs and are in my price range, so I'm glad to see that maybe it's not so bad.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Stephen, thanks for watching. That was our thoughts entirely. We're pleasantly surprised so far after 4,000 klms and will keep everyone posted.

[@Ken.Howard]

Thx for this... interesting

[@jesusjrsalvo6414]

Not sure if I asked these questions before, but: 1) What battery chemistry does the Australia MG ES EV have ? LFP, NMC, NCA ? 2) Does MG reveal what company supplies their battery ? (e.g. LG Chem, Panasonic, SK Innovation, Samsung, CATL ? ) Would like to avoid the same ones used by Kona EV.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Jesus, thanks for watching. Yes, I attempted to answer this one in the comments of this video. It's a Ternary Lithium Battery but not sure on the specific make up - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3areGSZZZqlfq8. This video had a link to the MG Battery manufacturing Plant which is a JV with CATL - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp2qk42bbc2Aqck

[@emmanuelediale9386]

Am interested in buying for Private hire cab but not sure if it is strong enough 🤠

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Emmanuel, there are a few around being used for hire cars/Uber and appear to be going ok so far. Time will tell. Thanks for watching and happy New Year.

[@evs2k]

Do you happen to know where the DC-DC converter is? I have a smashed one and haven't been able to work it out.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi EV, no sorry dont know that one. Try www.mgevs.com/forums/mg-zs-ev-forum. I'm a fully paid member but you can join for free and I'm sure someone will know. Cheers

[@evs2k]

@@ElectricCarAustralia I found it. It's mounted below the onboard charger. Must have overlooked it when I was pulling down the first MG. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5C8fHR3brx0oa8

[@NaughtyGoatFarm]

Looks like they could have made the boot floor deeper to allow a full size spare wheel.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Possibly; but only if that would have suited the petrol model as that drive the majority of production volume at present. Thanks for watching.

[@Thinkofwhat]

Reckon there won't be any Haynes manual anytime soon for these new batches ev cars & suvs:)

[@necs7475]

hola. desde colombia... sos. tienes o puedes hacer videos iguales de la marvel o mgzsev version 2???

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Thanks for watching and comment. I will do a ZS EV version 2 when I can get my hands on one. We don't have the Marvel in Australia.

[@rhystimms7704]

When fully charged the battery should show 455 volts ... wondering if you’re suffering from “BMSgate “ ?

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Rhys, thanks for watching. Yes we're doing a full video on driving consumption across all scenario's in the next few weeks and I will include some further detail on voltages in that one. Cheers

[@matbarber]

Can you actually jack up the car using a normal jack to change the tyre? Notice you had some trouble in the video and used that special jack from the rear.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi @Mathew Barber, thanks for watching. Yes you can use a normal scissor jack under the door sill jacking points I pointed out in the video. The car doesn't come with one standard so I just used my trolley jack.

[@marcel1978]

What are these mature / Tires ?? Continental or Pirelli (Quality) , or China Market ?

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Marcel, thanks for watching and please Subscribe to help the channel get more visibility. The standard tyres on the Australian model are Chinese made Michelin Primacy 3. In practical use I have found these to be a very good tyre and on another vehicle done over 20k with good wear capabilities. What is fitted will likely depend on the market/country the ZS EV is sold.

[@briananthony4044]

The EV here in NZ is double the price of the basic petrol model, $NZ51,000 versus about $NZ26,000. The trim level of the EV model is a higher though. What is the price difference in Australia, and for those there, the UK?

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Brian, thanks for watching. Please 'Subscribe' if you haven't (as it really helps the Channel) and click the 'Bell' icon so you know when we upload another video. Not sure on the price differences in the UK, where there are 2 different trim versions of the ZS EV on sale. In Australia we only have 1 ZS EV trim version being the Essence for $43,990 drive away. Again unsure if the petrol ZS Essence is a direct comparison in features but it is $26,490. As I'm sure your aware upfront purchase price is only part of the story. Check the ongoing cost savings on fuel, rego, services, maintenance etc and together with the community health benefits the EV starts to quickly look a better proposition, particularly if your doing larger Klms.

[@briananthony4044]

@@ElectricCarAustralia I looked it up on MG's Australian site. Also double the basic petrol model.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

@@briananthony4044 yep as mentioned savings are longer term. Cheers

[@briananthony4044]

With the EV rebate the ZS EV is now $41,000 here in NZ.

[@timwatterson8060]

As the car is single speed, I doubt the ac compressor runs off of the electric motor. The AC pump should have its own internal motor and inverter, and looks to have HV orange power cables running to the top of it. You missed an important part of the motor plate, PMSM aka permanent magnet synchronous motor, the type Tesla moved to with the model 3/Y good acceleration with better top speed torque.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Tim, thanks for watching. Yes I missed mentioning the PMS motor type and your correct the AC would be a stand alone unit powered from the HV battery. Slip of the tongue when multi tasking 😃. That's where you guys in the comments section add great value.

[@TheJeff255]

I was going to ask about the air-con. It looks like the air-con compressor has it's own motor (with it's own orange HV cable) but it's just bolted to the main motor assembly. From what I've found if the car is "Ready" (ie the HV contacts are closed) and you turn on the air-con in the car then the air-con motor runs and the air gets cold. Draws between 2A and 3A according to the dash.

[@vishnunallani]

It looks like there are some screws that have rust on them?

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Vishnu, thanks for watching and please Subscribe if you haven't. Yes, as mentioned in the video, very minor surface rust on a couple of bolts but not an issue.

[@roseydude]

I have been watching this and cringing, coming from a trained ev mechanic and I also work for an MG dealer, don’t touch the high voltage stuff it’s very dangerous and you could be killed if you unplug or mess with it. The MSD plug is to isolate the high voltage battery, you must wear protective gloves to mess with this.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi roseydude, thanks for watching and please Subscribe. No need to cringe, as I mentioned in the video this is not something to be played around with. Given your EV training and MG employment do you have your own KZbin channel to share your knowledge?

[@roseydude]

No, I can fix them but not good at videoing stuff, I don’t really have the time wth work. I am interested in the MG zs ev, I think they are the best affordable ev.

[@bmillerbmiller6203]

I wonder about cooling. 1. Can the AC cool the battery if its a really hot climate? Just blowing hot dessert air wont help the battery. 2. Will the battery be cooled in the baking sun? 3. When you heat the car in the winter will it use the AC like home as a heat pump or will it turn on a wire heater like a toaster which will be 5 times less efficient 😳

[@TheJeff255]

1. No. Air-con is a separate system. The battery coolant is piped around the car, pushed by a pump and cooled using air flow through the radiator. There is a dual radiator at the front of the car, the first being for the air-con and the second for the battery and motor coolant. There's also a radiator fan to pull the air through if required. (Although with the radiator covered at the front by the charging port I'm not sure how the air gets to the radiator.) 2. Good question. If the car is "on" then the battery will be cooled if required. But if the car is "off" then probably not. With the battery under the car it's only going to get radiant/reflected heat from whatever surface it's parked on so shouldn't be enough to raise the temperature too much. 3. As far as I know (from the UK MG EV Owners Facebook group) there's a heater coil in the system somewhere. Reversing the air-con would probably be a more power efficient system. But I don't know for certain.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Jeff, thanks for watching and great response, all good. I have added a bit more on point 3 in original question.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Bmiller, thanks for watching and please Subscribe if you haven't. Jeff comments are all correct with the addition on your question 3. I tested our car, the Aust model ZS EV, and it has a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater. Unfortunately the GOM didn't give a stable reading continually rapidly ramping up and down between 0 and 5 amps when on full heat, full fan. As such can't comment on consumption however would be more than H/pump but a trade off for instant heat and lower cost for vehicle. In Qld I will rarely use heater so no problem for me but consideration if you are in a cold climate where the heated seats will also help.

[@leokatigbak6102]

You need to buy the metal engine cover to protect bottom parts of the engine bay from protruding rocks on the road. I bought mine online and had it installed at a repair shop. You need to answer the phone, that’s your wife or she’ll be pissed off. Be afraid, be very afraid.

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi Leo, thanks for watching and please 'Subscribe' if you haven't. Not a bad idea, might look into it. Yes it was the wife on the phone 👍

[@andyand100]

Is it rusty yet ?

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

No, all good!

[@wacinton]

undercarrage rust issues from UK owners

[@yggdrasil9039]

source?

[@greglewis8843]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXPPf4Rrn9drndE

[@yggdrasil9039]

@@greglewis8843 Cheers!

[@ElectricCarAustralia]

Hi All, we're looking do do a follow up video in the next month or so and will cover this and other comments and feedback. Please make sure you're Subscribed so you don't miss it. Stay safe.