The EVolution #3: On the road today
Your guide to available U.S. models, how much they cost, and how far they drive on a single charge
Amidst the hype about next-gen auto manufacturers, and the plans of legacy car makers for EV versions of Hummers, Jeeps, and F-150s, it’s easy to lose track of which fully electric cars are available to American drivers right now. And of course, some expected 2021 arrivals have been pushed back a year due to the pandemic or global supply chain disruptions.
Even so, a host of options currently exist at various price points and across the spectrum of driving ranges possible from a single charge. Below, I review the landscape…
Entry-level
Mini Cooper SE, Nissan Leaf, Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Ioniq Electric, Hyundai Kona Electric, Chevy Bolt EV, Chevy Bolt EUV
Brand new entry-level electric vehicles still aren’t cheap—at least not for upfront costs compared to traditional vehicles. However, over multiple years of ownership, fuel savings and reduced maintenance costs often ultimately work in electric’s favor:
Battery-electric engines have fewer moving parts that can break compared with gas-powered engines and they don’t require oil changes. Electric vehicles also use regenerative braking, which reduces wear and tear... Take the Tesla Model 3, the most popular electric car in the United States. The M.I.T. team estimated the lifetime cost of the most basic model as comparable to a Nissan Altima that sells for $11,000 less upfront.
At the moment, the low-$30,000s-and-below segment has “compliance cars,” stale offerings, and legit value plays. The less enthralling:
The Leaf is the granddaddy of modern electric vehicles, introduced over a decade ago and which has since squandered its head start. It was the all-time best-selling EV until surpassed by Tesla’s Model 3 in 2019
Mini seems a natural fit for electric (and as a former long-time Mini owner, I was highly anticipating their EV debut), but the extremely limited range reduces that to a “second car”
The Niro, Kona, and Ioniq Electric are all adapted versions of gas-powered models, not original EVs
Meanwhile, the Chevy Bolt siblings won’t win any beauty contests, but the newest (“2022” model) Bolt EV is practical. To differentiate between the slightly roomier EUV, the Bolt EV’s price has been slashed. It joins the Kona Electric as offering the best range (~259 miles) for low cost (a shade above $30K). One potential drawback is that future GM electric vehicles will use the technologically-superior “Ultium” platform; the Bolts do not.
Still to come in 2021: not much, alas. It’s going to take a sticker price no higher than the mid-to-upper $30Ks, prior to the federal tax credit, to land in this category. That should be a more commonplace occurrence in the next few years.
Mid-tier
Ford Mustang Mach-E, BMW i3, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Volvo XC40 Recharge, Volkswagen ID.4
The Model 3 stands out, obviously: Tesla’s lowest-priced offering, a mid-size sedan, is the best-selling EV of all time. It’s technically possible to squeeze under $40K with their entry-level version, but most likely you’ll pay more. The all wheel drive “long range” model boasts a driving distance of over 350 miles on a single charge, better than anything on the market even $30,000 more expensive.
But this category is almost entirely “crossovers”/compact SUVs for a reason: this is the reigning popular format for American drivers today. (That’s with the exception of pickup trucks, which are expected to be a hotly contested EV battleground within the next 1-2 years.) Unsurprisingly, then, sales of the Model Y—built on the same platform as the Model 3, and sharing most parts in common—are booming.
The Mustang Mach-E and ID.4 aspire to be the Y’s most serious competition. The slick-looking Mach-E, centerpiece of Ford’s burgeoning electric push, has received rave reviews for its driving experience. Its software does need much improvement, though, and Mach-E drivers don’t have anything like the easy Tesla Supercharger network. That might be overlooked were it not for this: a Mach-E comparably equipped to a Y has less range and costs more. Much of the same applies to the ID.4 as well, albeit that has a brand positioning and a driving experience more attuned to VW “chill” than Mustang aggression.
Still to come in 2021: Nissan Ariya, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6. Americans want compact SUVs, and so that’s where legacy auto manufacturers are placing their big EV bets. These three all should arrive before the end of the year. The Ariya has a chance to land in an attractive spot for price and range. The Ioniq 5 and EV6, made by corporate siblings Hyundai and Kia, respectively, share a lot of tech in common and are mostly differentiated by exterior design.
Luxury
Polestar 2, Audi e-Tron, Jaguar I-Pace, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Porsche Taycan
Drive these with your pinkies out... Generally speaking, I find this segment less interesting. High-end cars have low sales volume and most folks are never going to drive one. Still, this segment can be a showcase for innovation. For example, a forthcoming trim of the Model S called the “Plaid Plus” will arrive next year with 500+ miles range and supposedly be the “quickest 0-60 mph and 1/4 mile acceleration of any production car ever”.
Oh, and, the Model X has “falcon” doors!
Still to come in 2021: Rivian R1T, Rivian R1S, Lucid Air, Audi e-Tron GT, maybe the Mercedes-Benz EQS. See my last note for more on Rivian and Lucid.