French marque top for emissions
DS Automobiles has ranked first among the 30 best-selling car brands in Europe in terms of average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
The marque says it’s “setting a benchmark in energy transition” with emissions of 97.3g/km on the WLTP cycle.
From launch, DS Automobiles has put electrification at the heart of its strategy – it has sold a 100 per cent electrified range since 2019. From the 100 per cent electric DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, DS 4 E-Tense, DS 7 Crossback E-Tense to the DS 9 E-Tense plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), every DS features an electrified low-emissions power unit.
In 2021, the electrified E-Tense’s range represented 35 per cent of its registrations globally and, from 2024, every new model from the brand will be 100 per cent electric.
And the marque has stepped forward with some innovative technology. Developed with DS Performance and double Formula E champion Jean-Eric Vergne for the SDS 9 E-Tense 4x4 360, the DS Energy Coach helps its driver maximise energy regeneration during deceleration with scores shown on the central screen.
People behind the wheel of E-Tense PHEVs are model pupils when it comes to plugging in their cars, apparently. The average daily distance covered by DS 7 Crossback and DS 9 owners amounts to 72km with a 70 per cent rate of use of the electric motor. Records have been reached in Portugal and Belgium with rates as high as 78 and 77 per cent respectively.
Appearing automatically on the infotainment system of models in the E-Tense PHEV range, the plug-in reminder application prompts drivers who don’t use charging points enough.
A first warning appears after five days and a minimum of 10 journeys completed without plugging in. The advice from the application is to carry out a charge to maximise usage of the hybrid power unit. Messages keep appearing until a reminder of “incorrect use” appears after 100 trips without charging.
DS Automobiles is a French luxury brand introduced in 2009 as a sub-marque of Citroen before becoming a standalone in 2015. In May 2018, it announced that it will launch only electric four-wheel drive and hybrid vehicles starting from 2025. DS can be an abbreviation of “different spirit” or “distinctive series”, although it also refers to the Citroen DS.
