The announcement by General Motors last month that it would work
to phase out fossil-fuel vehicles by 2035 added a note of urgency to the shift
to electric vehicles. Much of that is driven by regulatory action, as states
and countries move to ban the sale of new petroleum-powered vehicles in the
next 15 or 20 years.
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Among the attractions of an EV, beyond making a dent in carbon
emissions, is the notion of refueling at home and never touching a gas pump
again. There may also be savings in the reduced cost of maintenance. Note, too,
that most models are eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500, and
there are state tax credits and other incentives.
Best of all, the vehicles are no longer a curiosity. Many
drivers, especially those with moderate commutes, have gotten over the worry of
running out of power and are increasingly seeing how an electric car might make
sense.
The long-distance practicality of electrics has improved with
the growing availability of direct current (DC) fast chargers. Those networks
are increasingly available along major highways and in settings like shopping
malls.
Electrics are available in many sizes, shapes and prices, with
models that can be basic errand-chasers or outrageous sports cars. Keep in mind
that the pace of new-model introductions has stepped up recently, so the
selection will only grow to include startups like Lucid Motors.
Here are some of the 2021 electric vehicles (EVs) available now.
The figures for range and recharge time, at 240 volts, are taken from the 2021
Fuel Economy Guide produced by the Department of Energy.
Audi e-tron
Type: Crossover
Base price: $65,900; Sportback $69,100
Range: (EPA estimated) 357km; 351km for Sportback
Recharge time: 10 hours
The e-tron, introduced to the United States in 2019, was a
pioneer of sorts. As a crossover between sedan and SUV, this luxury-class model
is available in two body styles: the squared-off shape of a sport utility and
the slope-roof Sportback style. The e-tron’s dual-motor powertrain delivers 355
horsepower (up to 402 for brief dashes in Sport mode).
BMW i3
Type: Subcompact car
Base price: $44,450
Range: 246km
Recharge time: 7 hours
The distinctive styling of the i3, shared with a sportier i3s
version, makes a clear statement of being different. This four-door hatchback
has a proudly upright layout, the height giving its handsomely trimmed interior
a spacious feel, despite the tidy footprint that makes for easy parking. With a
modest range, city and suburban uses are its natural habitats.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
Type: Small station wagon
Base price: $36,500
Range: 417km
Recharge time: 9.3 hours
The smartly functional shape of the Chevrolet Bolt sticks to the
proven formula of small runabouts: tall with lots of glass to make the interior
airy, yet reasonably short and narrow to create an easy-to-maneuver package.
The Bolt stood apart in having those traits, along with an attractive price, at
its 2016 debut, but competitors are catching up quickly. Still, its 200
horsepower makes zipping around town effortless.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Type: Small crossover
Base price: $42,895
Range: 340 to 491km
Recharge time: 8.5 to 11.4 hours
Ford Motor’s bold entrance to the market of mass-appeal EVs
piggybacks on the popularity of its much-loved Mustang. The Mach-E, a four-door
crossover, trades heavily on the heritage of that venerable Ford, right down to
the galloping horse logos and the design. It’s available with either rear-drive
or all-wheel drive, and Ford offers a version fitted with a larger battery to
allow a range of 491km.
Hyundai Kona Electric
Type: Small SUV
Base price: $37,390 (not available in all states)
Range: 415km
Recharge time: 9.6 hours
Hyundai’s approach differs from previous entries in that its Kona
and Ioniq EVs are also available with gasoline power. Usually, automakers build
a unique electric-only structure, but Hyundai has been successful with this
method. The Kona Electric’s regenerative braking system, which recharges the
battery when slowing down, is calibrated to allow what is known as one-pedal
driving, where the driver can also release the accelerator to slow the car
instead of using the brake, unlike some models.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Type: Midsize car (not available in all states)
Base price: $33,245
Range: 274km
Recharge time: 6.1 hours
Like the Kona, the Ioniq shares its body with siblings that have
gasoline engines. The Ionic Electric, as a result, is nearly indistinguishable
from those cars, aside from its blanked-off grille area. The benefits of the
shared architecture include an attractive price.
Mini Electric Hardtop
Type: Subcompact car
Base price: $29,900
Range: 177km
Recharge time: 4 hours
BMW’s Mini brand has dabbled in electric power in recent years,
and its latest effort reflects both the brand’s engaging driving dynamics and
the limitations imposed by the car’s small size. With its range, the Mini is
not ideal for drivers who regularly make long trips. But with 181 horsepower
and a weight of about 1406kg, it’s lively on the road.
Nissan Leaf
Type: Midsize car
Base price: $31,620
Range: 240 to 363 km
Recharge time: 8 to 11 hours
As a global bestseller, the Leaf has done much to expose drivers
to EVs. Its conservative specifications and timid styling pushed it out of the
limelight, but a redesign for 2018 brought it back to mainstream relevance.
Polestar 2
Type: Midsize car
Base price: $59,900
Range: 375km
Recharge time: 8 hours
Polestar is the brand that answers the question of “Why didn’t
Volvo make an electric car until recently?” Polestar and Volvo are owned by
Chinese automaker Geely, and Polestar’s first fully electric model, the
Polestar 2, is a four-door competitor to the likes of the Tesla Model 3. With
402 horsepower on a sport-tuned chassis, it lives up to the Polestar aspiration
as a performance brand.
Porsche Taycan
Type: Large car
Base price: $79,900
Range: 320 to 365, although some models not determined yet
Recharge time: 9.5 to 10.5 hours
The car that’s finally pulling the spotlight away from the Tesla
Model S has arrived, and it’s a Porsche. The German automaker’s first
production all-electric model, the Taycan, is a home run in terms of
performance, with up to 750 horsepower and window stickers that easily zoom
past $180,000. Typical of Porsche, there are a number of available drive
systems and power levels, including Turbo models (which, of course, don’t have
turbochargers).
Tesla Model 3
Type: Midsize car
Base price: $37,990
Range: 423 to 568km
Recharge time: 10 to 11.2 hours
This midsize four-door is the most affordable car from Tesla and
is its top seller. It takes the company a step closer to delivering a true
mass-market EV.
Tesla Model S
Type: Large car
Base price: $79,990
Range: 628 to 837km
Recharge time: 14.7 hours
Perhaps the most recognizable EV of all, the stylish Model S was
a breakthrough achievement at the time of its release in 2012. A broad range of
equipment choices and continuous development by Tesla have kept the car fresh.
All Tesla models are compatible with its Supercharger network, making
long-distance EV trips more practical. Other Tesla models include the Model X
and Model Y SUVs.
Volkswagen ID. 4
Type: Small SUV
Base price: $39,995
Range: 402km
Recharge time: n/a
Volkswagen’s all-electric ID brand arrives in the United States
in March with the ID. 4, a crossover that battles for much the same market
buyer constituency as the Hyundai Kona Electric or Tesla Model Y. It’s a
dedicated electric model, unlike previous VW efforts. Not all versions will be
available immediately.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Type: Small SUV
Base price: $53,990
Range: 335km
Recharge time: 8 hours
The first fully electric model to wear the Volvo badge is based
on the XC40, a popular gasoline compact SUV. Its two-motor all-wheel-drive
system delivers 402 horsepower. Predictably, it comes with a full complement of
driver assistance and safety technology features. The XC40 Recharge is
spacious, like its gasoline counterpart, and the interior is likewise full of
thoughtful conveniences and storage touches.
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