The automotive industry is changing rapidly. The flood of electric vehicles that will be rolling out over the next decade will change not only the way we manufacture vehicles, but also the public’s overall perception of cars. Say what you want about Elon Musk, but Tesla made electric cars appealing again. His various Tesla models demonstrated to both the public and to carmakers that EVs, at least high-end EVs, can be powerful, sleek, and exciting.
Nowadays, EVs are becoming more and more commonplace. The EV market has demonstrated consistent growth over the past decade. Just in 2019, 2,264,400 EVs were shipped to customers worldwide. We have seen yearly EV sale growth rate increases range between 46% and 69% each year within the past six years. If anything, there is a good chance that you will sit behind the wheel of an electric vehicle before the decade ends. So, why this sudden influx of electric vehicles?
Producers of electric vehicles and their customers both reap the benefits of this “rEVolution.” There are direct reasons why people are interested in EVs. Overall, electric cars are safer and better for the environment. One of the biggest reasons for the introduction of electric cars is the growing concerns about traditional cars’ contribution over greenhouse gas emissions and their direct link to global warming. Electric vehicles help combat these issues on multiple levels.
Secondly, these vehicles are 75% efficient at turning input energy into moving energy, compared to gas-powered vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) that are only 25% efficient. Countries in Europe are planning to ban all sales of new gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles within the next 10 years. Other factors, like the low maintenance costs of EVs, the low electricity costs, and the overall rise in affordability for both producers and customers, have created the perfect storm for the current market.
Ok, so you already know all of this, and want to get behind the wheel. You want to see what is out there and what vehicles are in the pipeline. We have got you.
Today we will showcase some of the most impressive electric and alternative energy cars on the market. Some are perfect for everyday use, others are concepts that we hope to see get made soon, and everything in between. Let’s go.
Aspark Owl
This beast of a hypercar might make its official debut this year. But, if you want to get your hands on this car, you’re going to need to be ludicrously rich, as the price for the Aspark Owl is expected to be somewhere around $3.2 million. Even if you have cash like that on hand, note that Owl’s production will be limited to 50 units worldwide. Founded in Osaka, Japan, the automotive company Aspark is behind the hyper EV. The Owl is an impressive feat of engineering. Producing a whopping 1984 horsepower, this electric vehicle is powered by four electric motors and a 64.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack with which the Aspark team promises will deliver 280 miles (450 km) of driving range. Altogether, this allows the Aspark owl to travel 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 1.7 seconds, making it the fastest full-electric hypercar in the world.
The Bollinger B1 and B2
You might not know much about the Michigan-based startup Bollinger, but you should be if you are planning on purchasing an EV in the next two years. Bollinger trucks are Class 3 electric trucks. The ambitious team wants to redefine and reinvent what trucks should be and feel like. There is something refreshing and nostalgic about the utilitarian-looking, high-end Bollinger B1 and B2. The B1 SUV is expected to reach the market in 2021, although the company has yet to start production.
This EV will boast 614 horsepower, 668 lb-ft (905 n-m) of torque, and a 4.5-second zero-to-60-mph (96 km/h) time, along with a payload capacity of 5000 pounds (2.2 tonnes). Thanks to its 120.0-kWh battery pack, they will get about 200 miles (320 km) of range. If you are looking for more of that Jurassic Park/ Halo feel, check-out the B2. The Bollinger B2 will share similar stats with the B1, with the biggest changes being in its overall design. Both vehicles are luxurious rugged beauties.
The Lucid Air
The California-based electric car company Lucid Motors made headlines this year for a good reason. Their 1,080 horsepower luxury electric sedan Lucid Air threw down the gauntlet, challenging both Tesla and Porsche in the luxury EV niche. The sleek and minimally-designed vehicle feels futuristic but definitely takes some of its design DNA from popular German sedans with similar price tags. But, do not let that distract you from its performance.
The Air can travel a quarter-mile (400 mt) stint in 9.9 seconds, which blows away the Porshe Taycan and specced-out Tesla Model S, making it comparable to a 2019 Bugatti Chiron. Even more so, the EV is currently the most aerodynamically superior luxury car, with a drag coefficient of just 0.21. Expect 517 miles (830 km) of range off a single charge, and 300 miles (480 km) of that range can be acquired off 30 minutes of charging. Stepping inside the vehicle you will be greeted by a 34-inch 5K curved glass cockpit display and a retractable central pilot pane. You might have to add this car to your Christmas list.
GMC Hummer
You probably never expected to see Hummer and environmentally-friendly in the same sentence. Conventional Hummers are notorious for being gas guzzlers. However, things are going to change in 2021 with GMC’s all-new Hummer EV. Coming as both an SUV and pickup, the electric truck has been referred to as “the world’s first super truck,” and is expected to feature super-fast charging and a range of up to 400 miles (640 km). However, that is just the beginning. It is also expected to have an impressive 1000 horsepower available and a mind-melting 11,500 lb-ft (15591 n-m) of torque.
Rolls-Royce Phantom V
What if we told you the first electric Rolls-Royce dates from 1961? If you have always been in the market for a Rolls Royce but were not happy about its fuel efficiency, now is your chance. Rolls Royce has an impeccable reputation for creating beautifully engineered vehicles that embody class and sophistication.
The minds over at Lunaz took a classic Rolls-Royce Phantom and gave it new life, turning it into a sustainable EV. The modern restoration involved placing a 120 kWh battery, giving the classic car 300 miles (482 km) of range. Lunaz plans to keep the new tradition going and is also planning to launch an electric restored Silver Cloud. The EV Silver Cloud is expected to be $450,000, while the Rolls-Royce Phantom V vehicles are expected to enter the market at roughly $657,000.
The Porsche Taycan Turbo S 2021
Porsche caught everyone’s attention when the company announced an electric vehicle that would rival Tesla. The 2020 Porshe Taycan demonstrated again that electric vehicles could be both high-performance and luxurious. The 2021 version of the Taycan will not be compromising. In fact, the Taycan will be getting a big update, making it even faster. According to reports, the Porsche electric vehicle can now achieve speeds of 0-124 MPH (200 km/h) in just 9.6 seconds, beating out the previous edition by 0.2 seconds. Its quarter-mile (400 mt) time is expected to be 10.7 seconds, making it comparable to the Lamborghini Aventador SV. The Taycan’s charging functions will also receive an update, making it more convenient to charge the car, and it will come in a wide range of new colors.
Nikola Badger
The Nikola Badger is one of the most unique vehicles on our list. With the ambitious plans to dethrone the F-150, Nikola Motors wanted to take the knowledge from developing big trucks for the open road to create a powerful electric pickup truck. Using what they learned to create a hydrogen fuel-cell semis, Nikola created the Badger, a truck that is available not only in a standard EV version but also in a hybrid battery-electric/fuel-cell version.
The Badger will be able to travel between 300 and 600 miles (480-960 km), depending on the version. The truck’s five-seater version will have a peak horsepower of 906 and 980 ft-lbs (1330 n-m) of torque. Nikola reports that the Badger will do 0 to60 in (96 km) 2.9 seconds and have a towing capacity of 8000 pounds (3.6 tonnes). On the quirky side, the truck’s interior will include a hidden fridge and will be waterproof. Expect to see the truck on the road in the next few years. However, recent developments could be a hindrance.
Rivian R1S
People are excited about Rivian’s line of trucks and SUVs. Not only do the startup’s trucks look great, but they boast some impressive functionality. The Rivian RS1 SUV is the perfect blend of functionality and design. Sharing the same battery pack options as its bigger brother, the R1T, the SUV will have up to 400 + miles of range, (640 km) an impressive quad-motor system, and will be able to travel 0-60 (96 km) in 3 seconds. The perfect vehicle for the outdoors, you can easily take your R1S out camping. The electric SUV has a wading depth of over 3 feet (90 cm) and a max towing capacity of 7,700 lbs (3.5 tonnes). As described by CEO RJ Scaringe, “It’s the ideal platform to go out and enjoy nature with your friends, your family, and all the gear that goes with them.”
Tesla Cybertruck
This is probably one of the most polarizing vehicles on our list. When the Tesla Cybertruck concept was unveiled, some people were not sure what to think of the truck or what Elon Musk was thinking. While others fully embraced the utilitarian Blade Runner-inspired vehicle, attracting 200,000 would-be buyers.
The truck is big and is said to weigh 9,000 pounds (4 tonnes) in its production version. But, like many other models at Tesla, the electric vehicle packs a punch. At its top specs, the Cybertruck will be able to travel 0-60 (96 km) in 2.9 seconds, have a range of 500+ miles (800 km), and a towing capacity of 14,000+ lbs (6.3 tonnes). Its Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless-steel structure even features the company’s own armored glass. The truck is expected to start at $40,000, and you can even order one right now. However, don’t expect the truck to make an appearance until 2022.
Tesla Roadster
Staying on the Tesla hype train, the next vehicle on our list is the highly anticipated Tesla Roadster. Also, expected in 2022, not much is known about the Roadster. However, what we do know is impressive. Allegedly, the Tesla Roadster will be able to do zero-to-60-mph (96 km) in 1.9 seconds, with an 8.8-second quarter-mile (400 mt) time, along with a top speed of 250 mph (400 km/h). Its 200.0-kWh battery pack will give the sleek coupe a range of 620 miles (1000 km). If you want to get your hands on another Tesla vehicle, expect to dish out around $200,000.
Lotus Evija
The Lotus Evija is another impressive hypercar on its way to the market next year. The track-ready carbon fiber car is ready to take on any of the fastest vehicles on our list. With a 1,970-horsepower engine, the Lotus is expected to give the Tesla Roadster and Aspark Owl some fair competition. Some other impressive features on the EV Lotus include pushrod-operated rear suspension and extensive aerodynamic construction that includes a diffuser with a drag-reduction system and an adjustable rear wing. The Lotus team claims that the vehicle will be able to charge-up to 80 percent in 12 minutes. If this car has caught your eye, get in line. There will only be 130 models produced, and each model is expected to sell for $2.1 million.
Hyperion XP-1
Ok, we are cheating here. This is not an electric car, but it does use alternate energy. It is a hydrogen-powered beast. Hyperion XP-1 uses technology that has been developed for space travel. The Hyperion’s team includes ex-NASA engineers who wanted to create a vehicle that could directly tackle some of the downfalls of electric vehicles, such as their range and the weight of their batteries. Their solution? The XP-1 is powered by a chemical reaction that breaks down hydrogen to power a bank of fuel cells. This would allow the XP-1 to travel 0-60 MPH (96 km) in 2.2 seconds, have a top speed of 221 miles per hour (355 km/h), and have 1000 miles (1600 km) of range. It is currently expected to go into production in 2022, and have a limited run of 300 units.
Byton M-Byte Concept
Byton is another company looking to enter the emerging luxury electric SUV market. Their M-Byter and K-Byte concept cars have made their debuts at CES shows, turning the head of onlookers. Our favorite of the two has to be the lower-priced M-Byte.
With a starting price of $45,000, the M-Byte is a great entry-level SUV, packed with features inside and out. The M-Byte will boast a 95.0-kWh pack and 408-hp at its top model, with about 286 miles (460 km) of range. The interior of the SUV is one of the biggest selling points as it will feature a stunning 48-inch high-resolution display along with rotating seats to create a living room like experience. You will even be able to connect your smartphone and devices to the electric vehicle.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a car for those of you who have always dreamed about sitting behind the wheel of a Mustang. The all-electric vehicle is the first new vehicle to be added to the Mustang lineup. Expected this fall, the EV will produce up to 332 horsepower and 417 lb-ft (565 n-m) of torque and is available with both rear-wheel or all-wheel drive options. If you are interested in the GT model, expect the car to generate 459 hp and 612 lb-ft (829 n-m) of torque.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class Electric
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is one of the company’s most popular vehicles, iconic for its off-road performance and luxurious interior. The CEO of Mercedes Daimler, Ola Källenius, recently announced that the company has plans to create an electric G-class vehicle. Though some suspect that we will get a hybrid before we get a fully electric vehicle, there are rumors that the fully electric G-Class will enter the market in 2022.
Lightyear One
It may seem like the time has come for a solar-powered car. Nevertheless, the engineering leaps and bounds required to power a heavy vehicle is a little intimidating. Nevertheless, the team at Lightyear has now made this possible with their Lightyear One. The long-range solar electric vehicle was designed to be grid-independent. The electric vehicle features 53 sq ft (5 sq mt) of solar panels, adding an hourly 7.5 miles (12 km) of range. In fact, there is no need to charge the car on a daily basis: the car charges itself. You could drive for a day, or even months at a time, before needing to charge your car. At its peak, the vehicle can reach 450 miles (725 km) of range. You can reserve your Lightyear 1 right now.
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