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Electric Cars That Should be Hitting the Streets Soon

(Credit: Volkswagen )

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Electric Cars That Should be Hitting the Streets Soon

There’s no use denying it: electric cars are a trend that’s only getting hotter. Exactly how popular this alternative method of getting us from point A to point B will become is anyone’s guess, although plenty think it will eventually sweep the entire industry. Considering the many benefits of electrification, that doesn’t seem like a stretch.

Pushing us closer to total electrification are quite a few upcoming all-electric vehicles. Most have been built from the ground-up as EVs, instead of earlier attempts to retrofit internal combustion vehicles with all-electric powertrains. In this list is a little bit of something for everyone, ensuring electric cars are more appealing to the masses than they have been.

BMW i4

BMW i Vision Dynamics (Credit: BMW)

Back in 2017, BMW really turned some heads with its i Vision Dynamics concept car. It looked particularly sleek and stylish, shedding much of the overwrought design that’s plagued the brand and most especially its electrified models.

For sure, the production version of the car will look different. For one, the large faux grille is going to morph, although fully expect BMW to keep the iconic twin kidney layout.

Sized to compete against the Tesla Model 3, this electric sedan supposedly won’t go into production until 2025. Plenty of industry analysts doubt it will take that long, and it’s not the first time an automaker has thrown out a distant launch date to gauge interest in a car.

Audi E-Tron

Audi E-Tron wind tunnel testing (Credit: Audi )

With Audi’s CEO in the slammer, the reveal of the E-Tron crossover has been delayed. But, the word is that Audi still plans on launching this vehicle on time, instead of pushing that back as well. That means it will hit dealer lots next year, with a reveal possibly happening in the fall.

Integrated into the SUV’s chassis is a 95-kWh battery pack. That feeds three electric motors for a 320-kW output. Audi has designed the E-Tron to handle DC fast-charging of up to 150 kW. We don’t have official info on charging times or acceleration, but expect those to be impressive. The company has hinted range should be around 250 miles. With three motors, torque vectoring should be in the mix. Considering Audi’s history with all-wheel drive, this SUV should be able to carve up canyon roads with the best.

Porsche Taycan

Porsche Mission E concept (Credit: Porsche )

Pouring considerable resources into its development and upcoming manufacturing, Porsche has shown that the Taycan is a huge priority for the German automaker. Called the Mission E in concept form, the Taycan shares a platform with the Audi E-Tron, slotting between the 911 and Panamera in the Porsche lineup. Technically, this EV has four doors, although the rear doors are of the clamshell variety, giving a coupe-like appearance.

Porsche has said time and again that the Taycan will have excellent driving range. Just as important, it’s been hinting that the car will be able to be pushed hard without the battery depleting rapidly, although nobody knows how that might be possible. Expect handling to be razor-sharp, something Porsche has built a strong reputation on with plenty of other models.

Mercedes-Benz EQC

Mercedes-Benz EQC (Credit: Daimler )

Set to hit the market next year as a 2020 model, the EQC is a big product for the Mercedes-Benz brand. It debuts the EQ sub-brand, which will be a whole range of all-electric vehicles, and so it’s carrying more than the weight of a crossover’s debut.

The EQC shares a platform with the current GLC. The two have the same wheelbase measurements and will feature some of the same hardware. But, Mercedes-Benz is differentiating the EQC by giving it unique headlights, grille, and other bits. We don’t know just how unique it will look since the crossover always goes out testing with heavy camo.

Thanks to the Generation EQ Concept, we know a little about the upcoming vehicle’s powertrain. There should be several different grades, with the most powerful one peaking at somewhere around 400 horsepower and 500 lb.-ft. of torque. A 70-kWh battery should help the most expensive model with a range of over 300 miles, which is pretty impressive. An innovative energy storage system could allow an owner to charge the battery for five minutes and get over 60 miles of range, for when you don’t have time to wait.

Ford Mach 1

1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (Credit: Ford )

Borrowing heavily from the Mustang, including the legendary Mach 1 nameplate, this isn’t just an electrified pony car. Instead, the Mach 1 will be a crossover, which is an interesting twist. Just remember that Ford is killing off just about every car model for the North American market, making this part of the SUV and truck push for the brand.

We don’t really know much about this vehicle. The Mach 1 name suggests it will be excessively quick, thanks in no small part of the instant torque of electric motors. Ford has been playing with electrification for some time, but this marks a significant step forward into the EV market.

Exactly what the Mach 1 will look like is anyone’s guess at this point. Some believe it will essentially be a lifted Mustang with all-wheel drive added. Others think the crossover will wear some design elements from the muscle car, but the overall shape will be different. Expect hardcore Mustang enthusiasts to be offended when this model is revealed in 2019. It should be hitting dealers as a 2020 model.

Volkswagen I.D. Buzz

Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Concept (Credit: Volkswagen )

Hearkening back to the old VW Type 2, the I.D. Buzz is the electric van everyone wanted, but feared it would never happen. It’s sleek, modern, and retro-groovy in all the right ways. This little bus will hit the market in 2022, no doubt making a huge splash when it does.

Some of the zany features from the concept likely won’t make it to production. At least in this market that means real side mirrors instead of cameras. Unfortunately, the honeycomb LED lights in the lower front fascia also may not make the cut. It’s pretty safe to say the arcade-looking steering wheel won’t be a production element, either. It’s a toss-up if the creepy dashboard Zen dwarf will make it, though.

One thing you can expect for the production I.D. Buzz is tons of interior space. That will be great for road trips, camping, or IKEA runs. Hopefully the price won’t be out of reach for most shoppers, because the Type 2 was all about affordability.

Tesla Roadster

Tesla Roadster (Credit: Tesla)

Revealed back in November of last year with plenty of glossy, realistic-looking renderings, the updated Roadster no longer will be a repurposed Lotus. Instead, the purpose-built EV uses the same kind of chassis as other Teslas, giving it plenty of range and a down-low center of gravity.

Acceleration will be almost unreal, clocking somewhere around 1.9 seconds for 0-60 mph. That will be enough to make most people feel like they’re swallowing their teeth, curing the need for excessive speed. The new Tesla Roadster should be available to purchase in 2020.

BMW iX3

BMW iX3 Concept (Credit: BMW)

If you want an electric car, but don’t want to drive something out of an anime film, the BMW iX3 could be a great option. It looks like other X3 models, with some exterior design cues that make it apparent it’s not normal. This all-electric crossover will hit the market in 2020.

Slated to be built in China, barring some huge global trade war, the iX3 marks the first truly serious mass-produced EV made by BMW. The Bavarians have been talking about taking on Tesla and other automakers in the all-electric market, and this is one of several new models designed to do just that. Range should be about 250 miles, with a 70-kWh battery pack.

Rimac Concept Two

Rimac Concept Two (Credit: Rimac Automobili )

Porsche just bought a stake in Rimac, showing that this little brand is about to become something big. Considering the upcoming Concept Two is supposed to throw down 1,914 horsepower and do 0-60 in just 1.85 seconds, plus it will go 400 miles on a single charge. It’s easy to see why the big automakers are about to feel the heat. Production starts in late 2018 but will be capped at 150 units.

Sitting completely still, the Concept Two looks fast. The styling isn’t too brash, although the wheels have an interesting look to them, but overall it’s confidently athletic in nature. The interior is garnished with plenty of exposed carbon fiber and cool digital controls, but it doesn’t feel empty like a Tesla’s. Of course, this Rimac will come with a hypercar price, so you really do get what you pay for.

Faraday Future FF-91

Faraday Future FF 91 (Credit: Faraday Future )

Mired in controversy and all kinds of internal upheavals, Faraday Future has been largely forgotten by many. That, of course, will change when the FF-91 hits the market, although nobody seems sure when that will be. Originally the huge EV was going to flop into the market in 2018, but that obviously hasn’t happened.

This vehicle will be bristling with technology, including facial recognition to unlock the doors, windows made of polymer dispersed liquid glass crystals that you can tap on to darken or lighten, and a widescreen monitor instead of a rearview mirror. With a 1,050-horsepower electric powertrain, this big boy is supposed to do 0-60 in a mere 2.39 seconds.

Mini EV

Mini Electric (Credit: BMW )

The Mini Cooper is going all-electric in 2019. Originally, the British brand was calling this model the Mini E, but since then it’s stopped using that, leaving people to call it all sorts of things. Adding to the churn is the fact that Mini won’t release specs for this car yet. It did tease us all with an all-electric old-school Cooper last year, but that obviously doesn’t show what the upcoming model will look like.

There’s a possibility of a gasoline motor used as a range extender, like what the BMW i3 has, but BMW won’t confirm or deny its existence. Considering BMW is developing EVs that can go around 300 miles on a charge, that might not even be necessary.

Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo

Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo concept (Credit: Porsche )

Larger than the Taycan and borrowing heavily from the Panamera, the Mission E Cross Turismo will put a pinch on the Tesla Model S market share when it debuts in the next few years. No doubt the name will change before then, since Mission E is something that’s been clearly set aside for concepts only.

Not only will this Porsche have four doors and a liftgate in the rear, the ride height will be taller and the wheel arch surrounds on the concept had extra cladding. That signals this could be intended for going to more remote spots, if you’re not interested in a crossover. Porsche has become a master of filling market niches of late, and this one could be a vehicle designed for a very specific shopper.

Byton K-Byte

Byton K-Byte Concept (Credit: Byton )

Another EV startup, Byton put everyone on notice at CES 2018. Its K-Byte all-electric crossover concept was operational, with employees giving show attendees a ride in the convention parking lot. When the Byton finally launches in the early part of the 2020s, it supposedly will look pretty much just like the concept. Sales will start in 2019, which is a way for electric car startups to get extra cash flow, since up-front production costs are steep.

Supposedly, the Byton will cost a mere $45,000 for the base model. Range will be about 250 miles and 0-60 acceleration takes about five seconds. It almost sounds too good to be true.

Aston Martin RapidE

Aston Martin RapidE (Credit: © Aston Martin)

Entering production in 2019, the RapidE will be the first all-electric vehicle for Aston Martin. This is a big deal not just because James Bond might be driving an EV in the near future, but also because not too long ago everyone was saying smaller brands like Aston Martin wouldn’t be able to jump into the EV market.

Of course, only 155 RapidE cars will be built, so you’ll be lucky to see one in your lifetime. But, this four-door all-electric performance vehicle marks a big turn in events for the British automaker. For now, Aston Martin is staying mum on performance details, but there’s no doubt the finished product will be good.

Tesla Model Y

Tesla Model X (Credit: Tesla )

It’s optimistic to say the Model Y will be hitting the streets soon, but Tesla does seem to be getting the hang of mass-producing cars, so maybe not. While the California automaker certainly could’ve lead with the Model Y instead of the Model 3, because everyone wants SUVs these days, we might see this vehicle within the next two or three years.

Based on the Model 3’s platform, the Model Y will not only be smaller than the Model X, it should look much sleeker. Expect handling to be excellent for a crossover, but with the lower center of gravity of EVs, that might also become the norm before too long. More than likely, that Model Y won’t have those cool but problematic falcon wing doors from the Model X. The interior also should be like the Model 3’s, which is almost shockingly Spartan.

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