Top Five EVs We Are Looking Forward to Driving Soon
Tesla’s stranglehold on the EV market may be coming to an end thanks to the creative geniuses at Porsche.
For years, Tesla Motors has managed to do what a number of major automotive manufacturers couldn’t – make and sell viable electric powered vehicles. But in recent months, we’ve started to see several big names roll out what could prove to be world beating EVs. Combining rapid acceleration with acceptable real world driving range, they all look to finally give Tesla some real competition. Let’s take a closer look at the five most promising future EV vehicles of the moment.
1. Porsche Mission E
By now, you’re all very familiar with the Mission E. And if you’re not, here’s everything we know about Porsche’s super EV right now. Set to hit the market in 2020, the Mission E uses a pair of electric motors to deliver 600 total horsepower. Porsche estimates the car will hit 62 miles per hour in under 3.5 seconds and lap the NĂĽrburgring is less than 8 minutes.
Perhaps more importantly, the Mission E brings some exciting new technology to market, along with formidable performance and stunning looks. It will go 310 miles on a full charge, but it can also charge to 80% capacity in only 15 minutes. That’s the kind of quick “fill up” consumers have been clamoring for. And that’s why Porsche’s Mission E is at the top of our list and has us the most excited.
2. Tesla Model 3
Obviously, Tesla hasn’t been resting on its laurels while the competition plays catch up. And while the Model 3 represents the slowest and least feature-laden of all Teslas, it also might be the most important because its intention is to bring EVs to the masses. And with a $35,000 base price, the new model is right in the crosshairs of the average consumer.
For that sort of bargain price, the Model 3’s specs aren’t going to wow anyone over. It’ll go 215 miles on a charge, and do 0-60 in under six seconds. But as long as Tesla can deliver what it promises to the hundreds of thousands of customers who pre-ordered one, the Model 3 should be a hit.
3. Lucid Air
Lucid Motors hasn’t been around very long, and not too many folks have driven their luxury EV concept. But the stats we’ve seen so far make the Air look like a true world beater. Lucid claims that the car reached speeds of 217 mph while testing on an oval bank, a real feat for an electric car. And its 130 kilowatt-hour battery pack is said to give the Air a range of 400 miles.
The base Air won’t go nearly that fast, and will only do 240 miles on a full charge. But it will also cost under $60,000. And you likely won’t see a production Air for at least two years, since the company is still in the funding stage. But Lucid is run by two former Tesla executives, so there’s that anyway.
4. Audi E-Tron Sportback
Audi just pulled the covers off its latest EV concept, the (capitalization-challenged) e-tron Sportback, at the Shanghai Auto Show. Aside from the futuristic styling elements like a glowing Audi badge, the latest e-tron also sports some impressive statistics. The 320 kilowatts of power can be “boosted” to 370 kW, and propel the car to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds. The e-tron Sportback will also go 310 miles on a charge.
Slated to go on sale in 2019, the e-tron Sportback will join the e-tron Quattro, which hits the market in 2018.
5. Volkswagen I.D. Crozz
Another super fresh EV concept debuting in Shanghai was the I.D. Crozz. It’s the third VW EV concept, and Volkswagen hopes to have it ready for market by 2020. The crossover uses an 83 kWh battery producing 225 kW of power. VW claims that the I.D. Crozz will sprint to 62 mph in less than 6 seconds. On top of that, it’ll go 310 miles on a single charge.
Volkswagen spent considerable time developing the I.D. Crozz’s new MEB chassis. With a six link rear axle, MacPherson strut front suspension, and 48/52 front/rear weight distribution, VW claims the crossover will deliver GTI-like handling.
