T7 Petrol tank size/Overall range of vehicle

[stationmaster]

What is the overall average range of the T7 e hybrid?
What is the realistic range using electric only?
Does the overall performance (therefore overall range) drop substantially if the battery is depleted and you complete a journey using just the petrol engine?
Thanks.

 

[WelshGas]

What is the overall average range of the T7 e hybrid?
What is the realistic range using electric only?
Does the overall performance (therefore overall range) drop substantially if the battery is depleted and you complete a journey using just the petrol engine?
Thanks.

1. On my Hybrid Multivan with a 11Kw battery and 45l petrol tank, with full charge and full tank it predicts 350 miles and I have covered 368 miles before the Low Fuel notification at 5 L remaining.
2. The EV range is based on a complicated calculation.

One thing that VW don’t mention in the Handbook for the Hybrid. My VW Dealership , nor VWUK, new this.
The predicted milage for a full 100% charge of the EV battery is a dynamic calculation based on a number of factors.

Volkswagen hybrid vehicles (like the Golf GTE, Passat GTE, or the newer PHEV models) calculate the predicted electric-only (EV) mileage from a full charge using a dynamic algorithm that takes several real-time and historical factors into account. Here’s how it generally works:


1.
Recent Driving Behavior

• Acceleration patterns: If you’ve been accelerating aggressively, the car will predict lower EV range.
• Speed: Frequent high-speed driving (e.g., on highways) reduces predicted EV range.
• Braking and regeneration: Efficient use of regenerative braking can increase estimated range.

2.
Climate Control Usage

• Heating and air conditioning (especially in extreme temperatures) significantly impact EV range. If you had them running during your last trips, the system assumes similar energy consumption.

3.
Topography and Route History

• Driving uphill uses more energy; downhill or flat terrain extends range.
• If you’ve recently driven on hilly roads, the system may predict lower EV mileage.

4.
Ambient Temperature

• Cold weather reduces battery efficiency and increases energy use for heating, lowering predicted range.
• Warm temperatures can also impact range, especially if A/C is heavily used.

5.
Battery Condition and Charge Level

• While the car may say 100% charge, the usable battery capacity (called SoH – State of Health) may decline over time, especially with aging batteries.
• VW uses buffer zones in the battery to prevent full charge/discharge cycles, which also affect the maximum theoretical range.

6.
Driving Mode

• If the car is in “GTE” or “Sport” mode, it assumes more power usage.
• In “E-Mode” or “Eco,” it predicts higher EV range.

The resulting predicted EV mileage is thus not a fixed number, but rather a smart estimate—similar to a fuel range prediction in ICE vehicles. You may see it fluctuate from one drive to the next even with a full charge.

3. The EV never goes Flat. A reserve is always kept and it is constantly being topped up by Regenerative Braking and by the IC engine if necessary. EV drive is used for all low speed manoeuvres using 1st and Reverse gears.

 

[stationmaster]

1. On my Hybrid Multivan with a 11Kw battery and 45l petrol tank, with full charge and full tank it predicts 350 miles and I have covered 368 miles before the Low Fuel notification at 5 L remaining.
2. The EV range is based on a complicated calculation.

One thing that VW don’t mention in the Handbook for the Hybrid. My VW Dealership , nor VWUK, new this.
The predicted milage for a full 100% charge of the EV battery is a dynamic calculation based on a number of factors.

Volkswagen hybrid vehicles (like the Golf GTE, Passat GTE, or the newer PHEV models) calculate the predicted electric-only (EV) mileage from a full charge using a dynamic algorithm that takes several real-time and historical factors into account. Here’s how it generally works:


1.
Recent Driving Behavior

• Acceleration patterns: If you’ve been accelerating aggressively, the car will predict lower EV range.
• Speed: Frequent high-speed driving (e.g., on highways) reduces predicted EV range.
• Braking and regeneration: Efficient use of regenerative braking can increase estimated range.

2.
Climate Control Usage

• Heating and air conditioning (especially in extreme temperatures) significantly impact EV range. If you had them running during your last trips, the system assumes similar energy consumption.

3.
Topography and Route History

• Driving uphill uses more energy; downhill or flat terrain extends range.
• If you’ve recently driven on hilly roads, the system may predict lower EV mileage.

4.
Ambient Temperature

• Cold weather reduces battery efficiency and increases energy use for heating, lowering predicted range.
• Warm temperatures can also impact range, especially if A/C is heavily used.

5.
Battery Condition and Charge Level

• While the car may say 100% charge, the usable battery capacity (called SoH – State of Health) may decline over time, especially with aging batteries.
• VW uses buffer zones in the battery to prevent full charge/discharge cycles, which also affect the maximum theoretical range.

6.
Driving Mode

• If the car is in “GTE” or “Sport” mode, it assumes more power usage.
• In “E-Mode” or “Eco,” it predicts higher EV range.

The resulting predicted EV mileage is thus not a fixed number, but rather a smart estimate—similar to a fuel range prediction in ICE vehicles. You may see it fluctuate from one drive to the next even with a full charge.

3. The EV never goes Flat. A reserve is always kept and it is constantly being topped up by Regenerative Braking and by the IC engine if necessary. EV drive is used for all low speed manoeuvres using 1st and Reverse gears.

Thanks. Really helpful information.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks. Really helpful information.

It's fascinating to watch the Dashboard information. On a recent trip in France on a motorway, over a distance of about 100km travelling at a110kph using ACC the EV range increased from 3 to 37 km wholly due to charging from the IC engine and regenerative braking whilst maintaining speed and engine revs. It is a very clever system.

 

[burton61]

It's fascinating to watch the Dashboard information. On a recent trip in France on a motorway, over a distance of about 100km travelling at a110kph using ACC the EV range increased from 3 to 37 km wholly due to charging from the IC engine and regenerative braking whilst maintaining speed and engine revs. It is a very clever system.

I think I saw some overall MPG figures that you posted for your PHEV multi van previously in another thread but what MPG is it typically doing when you have zero miles left on the EV battery?
i.e. when there is zero EV range and the multi van is just operating in hybrid mode, putting small amounts of energy back into the EV battery when it can and using EV on and off when available and needed.

 

[WelshGas]

I think I saw some overall MPG figures that you posted for your PHEV multi van previously in another thread but what MPG is it typically doing when you have zero miles left on the EV battery?
i.e. when there is zero EV range and the multi van is just operating in hybrid mode, putting small amounts of energy back into the EV battery when it can and using EV on and off when available and needed.

Recent trip - Normantier France to Caen ferry port.
Started with full tank, 0 mls range on EV . All low speed manoeuvres in, at service areas and the Port on EV.
Used 30.3 L of fuel

 

[burton61]

Great, that's in the ball park of what I would expect. Saw a comment elsewhere that eluded to 30 mpg which looked a bit low but wasn't sure if it was actual experience or just opinion. Have seen your other posts so know you have the earlier Phev multi van and report real world experience.

 

[stationmaster]

Recent trip - Normantier France to Caen ferry port.
Started with full tank, 0 mls range on EV . All low speed manoeuvres in, at service areas and the Port on EV.
Used 30.3 L of fuel
View attachment 137806

This looks to be a worst case scenario in relation to economy - do you think that is correct?

I am torn between the diesel and the hybrid - for three reasons:

1. For my use case, short trips around 30 miles 25/75 longer trips the diesel may be best suited.
2. I have no experience of a hybrid vehicle. So it is outside of my comfort zone.
3. I am concerned that residuals may be very poor in 4-5 years time as viable all electric options become available? Nobody will want the hybrid as similar or higher range electric campers come to market (think ID Buzz California). There are already a few 400 plus EV s and the T7 Hybrid California has a relatively low range of around 500, so maybe a few weeks to the ID Buzz will see 500 plus range?

 

[WelshGas]

This looks to be a worst case scenario in relation to economy - do you think that is correct?

I am torn between the diesel and the hybrid - for three reasons:

1. For my use case, short trips around 30 miles 25/75 longer trips the diesel may be best suited.
2. I have no experience of a hybrid vehicle. So it is outside of my comfort zone.
3. I am concerned that residuals may be very poor in 4-5 years time as viable all electric options become available? Nobody will want the hybrid as similar or higher range electric campers come to market (think ID Buzz California). There are already a few 400 plus EV s and the T7 Hybrid California has a relatively low range of around 500, so maybe a few weeks to the ID Buzz will see 500 plus range?

Very possible.
Personally the diesel wasn't considered due to DPF and Adblue problems people have had. LEZ zones are appearing everywhere and the Euro 6 vehicles will be next on the list.
I can charge at home and local trips can be done on EV.
So the obvious choice was the Hybrid.

 

[Californication69]

This looks to be a worst case scenario in relation to economy - do you think that is correct?

I am torn between the diesel and the hybrid - for three reasons:

1. For my use case, short trips around 30 miles 25/75 longer trips the diesel may be best suited.
2. I have no experience of a hybrid vehicle. So it is outside of my comfort zone.
3. I am concerned that residuals may be very poor in 4-5 years time as viable all electric options become available? Nobody will want the hybrid as similar or higher range electric campers come to market (think ID Buzz California). There are already a few 400 plus EV s and the T7 Hybrid California has a relatively low range of around 500, so maybe a few weeks to the ID Buzz will see 500 plus range?

I think 37mpg with no electric to start off with and to end isn’t bad at all.
If you want 55mpg, better buy a Passat, golf, or 320d BMW.
But it’s a campervan of £90k so do you really care about mpg ?
My old p400 FFRR was doing 32mpg all day long slow a roads, M’way at 70mph

If I can get 40mpg out the t7 4M Ocean, it will be 1/4 more mpg.
And I get to camp out in it.
Put roof up, relax, make a brew inside.
Massive Q on M’way and all traffic stopped for 4 hours, don’t care, pull blinds down and use porta potti. Cold can out the fridge.
Need a lie down fully flat, to stretch my bad back out, sorted.
I have a 16 year old petrol Saab.
Just flew through MOT.
Diesel is great if you’re a company owner and your 10 engineers all hammer diesel engine’s up and down M’way for 70k a year doing 50mpg.
Change them every 4 years. No dpf issues.
You should try it, you might like a hybrid. ?

Residuals ? Mines £50k GFV after 5 years.
And I get 5 years free service, warranty & breakdown. Also 3 MOT paid for.
No brainer !

 

[stationmaster]

I think 37mpg with no electric to start off with and to end isn’t bad at all.
If you want 55mpg, better buy a Passat, golf, or 320d BMW.
But it’s a campervan of £90k so do you really care about mpg ?
My old p400 FFRR was doing 32mpg all day long slow a roads, M’way at 70mph

If I can get 40mpg out the t7 4M Ocean, it will be 1/4 more mpg.
And I get to camp out in it.
Put roof up, relax, make a brew inside.
Massive Q on M’way and all traffic stopped for 4 hours, don’t care, pull blinds down and use porta potti. Cold can out the fridge.
Need a lie down fully flat, to stretch my bad back out, sorted.
I have a 16 year old petrol Saab.
Just flew through MOT.
Diesel is great if you’re a company owner and your 10 engineers all hammer diesel engine’s up and down M’way for 70k a year doing 50mpg.
Change them every 4 years. No dpf issues.
You should try it, you might like a hybrid. ?

Residuals ? Mines £50k GFV after 5 years.
And I get 5 years free service, warranty & breakdown. Also 3 MOT paid for.
No brainer !

All your comments are valid. Thanks.

I have had diesel Califonias for ten or so years, and they have been fine/reliable - but I sell them below 40,000 miles so I guess they would be wouldn't they!
You are right of course - the 5 year promise is good for peace of mind - and the multi van has been around for a while so a lot of the teething issues will have been sorted...
I was going to buy for cash (to get a higher discount), so there is no GFV...but Californias have always been pretty low on depreciation so maybe i'm over worrying!

 

[WelshGas]

All your comments are valid. Thanks.

I have had diesel Califonias for ten or so years, and they have been fine/reliable - but I sell them below 40,000 miles so I guess they would be wouldn't they!
You are right of course - the 5 year promise is good for peace of mind - and the multi van has been around for a while so a lot of the teething issues will have been sorted...
I was going to buy for cash (to get a higher discount), so there is no GFV...but Californias have always been pretty low on depreciation so maybe i'm over worrying!

Had my 2014 180 BiTurbo for 10 yrs and 140,000 miles. No vehicle problems apart from an ABS sensor at 120,000 miles. 33mpg was the highest I ever got.
Recent trip to Cheltenham for the sunrise swim at the outdoor Lido. Started with 100% charge in Hybrid mode with 50% reserve at end of trip.

 

[stationmaster]

Had my 2014 180 BiTurbo for 10 yrs and 140,000 miles. No vehicle problems apart from an ABS sensor at 120,000 miles. 33mpg was the highest I ever got.
Recent trip to Cheltenham for the sunrise swim at the outdoor Lido. Started with 100% charge in Hybrid mode with 50% reserve at end of trip.

View attachment 137830

Sunrise swim. Brilliant.

The economy figures you are getting are impressive, and all this on a relatively new engine - may well improve with a few tens of thousands miles of bedding in.

Your 2014 van served you well. No question about that!

 

[sticky1]

This looks to be a worst case scenario in relation to economy - do you think that is correct?

I am torn between the diesel and the hybrid - for three reasons:

1. For my use case, short trips around 30 miles 25/75 longer trips the diesel may be best suited.
2. I have no experience of a hybrid vehicle. So it is outside of my comfort zone.
3. I am concerned that residuals may be very poor in 4-5 years time as viable all electric options become available? Nobody will want the hybrid as similar or higher range electric campers come to market (think ID Buzz California). There are already a few 400 plus EV s and the T7 Hybrid California has a relatively low range of around 500, so maybe a few weeks to the ID Buzz will see 500 plus range?

I’m surprised you aren’t considering the petrol v hybrid.
I agree about diesel engines these days, they are an engineering masterpiece and really suit long distance driving from what I hear.
My wife had a petrol hybrid, which as WelshGas has pointed out, means you spend half your time concentrating on getting better economy, in fact I think this is one of the best benefits of hybrid, it makes you drive more carefully and probably slower.
The petrol engine is very good, probably too much torque and will wheel spin in the wet, however, I chose it partly because I had no idea of how desirable a 5 year old hybrid might be. Given the £50k future value quoted that seems shouldn’t be an issue.

 

[stationmaster]

Agree, it is good to be mindful of the worlds resources and it is so much better to drive more slowly.

One thought that has entered my mind... come 2030 when there will be no more new T7 Californias available in the UK (unless they introduce a pure electric one of course), the T7 Californias will not have been given the opportunity to become the icon that the T5 to T6 transporter based Californias have become (as they have only been sold for a few years in the UK), this will serve to make the T5 to T6 ones very sort after, and serve to devalue the T7 Californias (as they do not share the "transporter" iconic status).

But then again, it could all work out differently of course! And maybe it simply doesn't matter - buy it and enjoy it Stop thinking too much!

 

[WelshGas]

Recent trip to Penarth for a bike ride and coffee.

In my diesel California I would have been lucky to get 30mpg.

 

[stationmaster]

Recent trip to Penarth for a bike ride and coffee.
View attachment 137838
In my diesel California I would have been lucky to get 30mpg.

Wow!

 

[stationmaster]

Recent trip to Penarth for a bike ride and coffee.
View attachment 137838
In my diesel California I would have been lucky to get 30mpg.

Wow!

 

[stationmaster]

Thanks for helping me with my query

 

[WelshGas]

For those interested Hybrid owners. Long term data from 30/5/2025 to today.
Mixture of roads both in the U.K. and France.

 

[sticky1]

I’m surprised you aren’t considering the petrol v hybrid.
I agree about diesel engines these days, they are an engineering masterpiece and really suit long distance driving from what I hear.
My wife had a petrol hybrid, which as WelshGas has pointed out, means you spend half your time concentrating on getting better economy, in fact I think this is one of the best benefits of hybrid, it makes you drive more carefully and probably slower.
The petrol engine is very good, probably too much torque and will wheel spin in the wet, however, I chose it partly because I had no idea of how desirable a 5 year old hybrid might be. Given the £50k future value quoted that seems shouldn’t be an issue.

Agree, it is good to be mindful of the worlds resources and it is so much better to drive more slowly.

One thought that has entered my mind... come 2030 when there will be no more new T7 Californias available in the UK (unless they introduce a pure electric one of course), the T7 Californias will not have been given the opportunity to become the icon that the T5 to T6 transporter based Californias have become (as they have only been sold for a few years in the UK), this will serve to make the T5 to T6 ones very sort after, and serve to devalue the T7 Californias (as they do not share the "transporter" iconic status).

But then again, it could all work out differently of course! And maybe it simply doesn't matter - buy it and enjoy it Stop thinking too much!

I’m not sure I agree with everything you suggest.
Internal combustion engine sales to be phased out from 2030 and ended by 2035, our vehicles will be 10 years old.
For me the last iconic VW camper was the Type 2, possibly the T25 in certain guises.
All of the Transporters from then on felt like work van derived camper’s with little of the character of the early Beetle and split screens. However, they were super practical and became the benchmark for high quality campervan conversions.
I think the T7 is a different beast, all of the new software driven vehicles are losing the charm of earlier vehicles but they are so much more reliable and fantastic to drive.
There are some incredible conversions out there and California can look good value against some of the top end conversions.
We just have to hope there will be anywhere left for us to park once all the councils have abolished motorhome parking!

 

[stationmaster]

I’m not sure I agree with everything you suggest.
Internal combustion engine sales to be phased out from 2030 and ended by 2035, our vehicles will be 10 years old.
For me the last iconic VW camper was the Type 2, possibly the T25 in certain guises.
All of the Transporters from then on felt like work van derived camper’s with little of the character of the early Beetle and split screens. However, they were super practical and became the benchmark for high quality campervan conversions.
I think the T7 is a different beast, all of the new software driven vehicles are losing the charm of earlier vehicles but they are so much more reliable and fantastic to drive.
There are some incredible conversions out there and California can look good value against some of the top end conversions.
We just have to hope there will be anywhere left for us to park once all the councils have abolished motorhome parking!

You saying my T6.1 isn't iconic? Cheek of it.
No. You're right. It gets some iconic vibes from what went before. Which o suggest the T7 multivan California may not get?

I understood new diesel and petrol sales of smaller vehicles ended 2030. Am I wrong?

Anyways. I think the T7 multivan California is great...it just may loose value faster than the T6.1 that's all...as it hasn't got a transporter based vibe. More of a luxury car/van vibe.

 

[sticky1]

Phased out from 2030, the government has softened the cliff edge.

 

[stationmaster]

Phased out from 2030, the government has softened the cliff edge.

Crazy.

All I say is pure guess work of course...I like the T7 Multivan California a lot and in many ways it is more versatile than the older vans (which gets my vote), being able to remove the rear seats is really handy, and the seats rotate much more easily now there is no manual handbrake.