8 EXCITING ELECTRIC CAR MODELS
CERTAINLY 2021 will be the year that electric cars become the norm. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai IONIQ5, Rivian R1T, and Polestar 2 are among the many EVs that debuted this year, and they're all quite good conventional vehicles.
And for EVs to be widely adopted, they must be commonplace. Americans are not interested in compact city cars like the BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf. They favor SUVs, crossovers, and pickup trucks, which are now available as fully-electric vehicles.
However, if 2021 was a landmark year for EV enthusiasts, 2022 is shaping up to be even more impressive. With the best-selling vehicle in the United States going electric (see No. 1 on our list), the Ultimate Driving Machine (No. 3), and the first EV from a major battery-driven holdout (No. 6), it's going to be a hell of a year.
Let's get into it.
8. VOLVO C40 RECHARGE
408 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque to be incredibly entertaining. Putting this much power in a small electric crossover puts us squarely in the territory of hot hatchbacks, demonstrating how exciting this new EV revolution will be.
7. RIVIAN R1S
The R1S should continue this trend by bringing Rivian's incredible design and technology to the SUV market.
We anticipate that the R1S will be one of the most in-demand EVs available, despite the fact that its delivery has been slightly delayed.
6. TOYOTA BZ4X
Toyota has been the slowest of the major automakers to embrace fully electric vehicles, focusing instead on hybrids and hydrogen-powered vehicles such as the Mirai.
Toyota is launching its first mainstream all-electric vehicle, the bZ4X, because hybrids won't suffice forever and hydrogen is nowhere near ready. Be on the lookout for this at your local Toyota dealership in the middle of next year. bZ is an acronym for "beyond zero."
5. POLESTAR 3
We adored the Polestar 2 when I drove it earlier this year, and anticipate that the Polestar 3 will be a formidable performance vehicle.
We've only caught a glimpse of it so far, but if it improves upon the Polestar formula of exquisite European design and superb performance, it will be a banner year.
4. KIA EV6
The Kia EV6 GT is one of the most exciting EVs of 2021, with 576 horsepower and a 0-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds.
Due to its 800-volt architecture, it will have a range of over 300 miles and lightning-fast charging speeds. Kia claims it can charge from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 18 minutes using the proper DC fast charger, which is very close to the time it takes to fill up a tank of gas.
Anticipate the Kia EV6 to debut in early 2022.Anticipate the Kia EV6 to debut in early 2022.
3. BMW I4
The BMW i4 electrifies the tried-and-true BMW formula for sporty luxury (the i3 was more of a side project than a genuine Ultimate Driving Machine).
This is not an electric vehicle; it's a BMW. And it's a stunning grand coupé that looks identical to every other BMW; you'd never guess it was electric. Indeed, this is the point.
2. CADILLAC LYRIQ
The Cadillac Lyriq may be the most aesthetically pleasing new electric vehicle currently available. General Motors may be the best-positioned American automaker (other than Tesla, of course) to lead the electric revolution, given its extensive experience with electric vehicles thanks to the Chevrolet Bolt and Volt.
The stunningly beautiful Lyriq, which starts at a reasonable $60,000 for a luxury vehicle, is poised to be one of 2022's top sellers.
1. FORD F-150 LIGHTNING
Ford has electrified the nation's best-selling automobile for decades. No more, no less. It's an electric F-150 with Built Ford Tough.
Ford could have renamed the vehicle or simply called it the Ford Lightning. However, they did not, and by affixing an F-150 badge to it, Ford declared that electric vehicles are the future.