Philippa Kaur

Tesla

At the livestreamed delivery event for the new Tesla Model S Plaid, Elon Musk showed off the refreshed electric sedan playing CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 video game on the car’s redesigned infotainment system. Due to the dark settings, it was difficult to see the person playing, but the camera zoomed in through the Model S’ hatchback to show off the screen, which sure did seem to be running the game.This comes after Musk followed up January’s surprise Tesla Model S refresh reveal with a bold claim that it can run CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077. An image in Musk’s tweet showed a dashboard display-screen featuring The Witcher 3, a 2015 game from the same developer, but Cyberpunk had just come out.Cyberpunk honestly looks like it plays well on Tesla’s system.
Tesla

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Console versions of Cyberpunk were beset with performance issues and bugs, even on the next-gen PS5 and Xbox Series X, leading the game studio’s co-founder to acknowledge the problems in an apology video. Honestly, in the Tesla livestream it seemed like the game runs better in the car than it even does on next-gen consoles.

The Model S’s center screen has 10 teraflops of processing power, which Game Awards host Geoff Keighley noted was comparable to the PS5 and considerably more than the 4 teraflops in the Xbox Series S (Microsoft’s higher end Series X has 12 teraflops). Tesla themselves say the Model S’ system has “PS5-level performance,” and Musk says no car has had computer technology that’s this state-of-the-art.During the livestream, Musk says the Model S’ system can run games at 60 fps, and he previously also said the Model S screen has “more storage now & easily upgradable.”Neither Tesla nor Cyberpunk developer CD Projekt Red immediately responded to requests for comment.

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An EV needs a battery, after all.
CNET

At this point, a physical Apple Car sure is feeling a lot like a poorly kept secret. According to a new report from Reuters on Tuesday, Apple is busy discussing a potential battery deal with China’s CATL and BYD. The tech giant wouldn’t need automotive batteries if it didn’t have its eye on building a real car, as opposed to just car software, that’s for sure.Citing sources familiar with the discussions, Apple wants to use a lithium-phosphate battery due to their cheaper construction and use of iron, rather than cobalt or nickel. It’s not clear if these talks include previously reported “game-changing” battery technology Apple supposedly developed for its car program.The company reportedly wants any firm it partners with for a battery supply deal to agree to the construction of a US facility for the program, however. That may be a sticking point with CATL, the world’s largest battery supplier, which also supplies Tesla locally. The company is reportedly reluctant to build a US facility amid tensions between the US and China. BYD feels a little more friendly to the current political climate. Although it’s a Chinese company, the firm currently employs a unionized workforce to build its electric buses in the US.Apple did not immediately return a request for comment on the reported discussions, but expect silence. The company’s been very private about its potential car plans for years now. Rumors heated up this year after discussions with Hyundai and Kia fell through to build the vehicle, before both said they would not partner with Apple. Right now, a 2024-2025 timeline for the vehicle is the best estimate from analysts, and the Apple Car could involve advanced self-driving technology the tech giant’s also been hard at work on.

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Now you can work on your Jay and Silent Bob cosplay while waiting for your EV to charge.
7-11

It wasn’t that long ago that people’s biggest fear about owning an electric car was not having anywhere to charge it while they’re on the go. That concern has mostly been alleviated thanks to several nationwide brand-agnostic charging networks like EVGo and Electrify America.But, this being America, more is always better, so there’s a new player entering the EV charging game, and it’s 7-11. Yeah, that 7-11 with the questionable hot case foods and the grumpy employees and the menthol cigarettes. The convenience store chain announced Tuesday that it will be placing 500 EV chargers at 250 stores in the US and Canada by the end of 2022.

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OK, but if they can’t keep the Slurpee machine up and running, what kind of charging can users expect? Well, we don’t know, and 7-11 isn’t saying, but we do know that they will be DC fast-chargers, and it looks like they’ll be supplied by ChargePoint, so we’d bet on anything from 60-ish kilowatts to 125 kilowatts.These new chargers will join 7-11’s small network of 22 charging stations at 14 stores in four states, and the whole thing is a part of 7-11’s ongoing work to reduce its carbon footprint.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro is an EV that’s ready to work

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Hyundai is serious about going electric.
Hyundai

Just about every carmaker on Earth is investing vast amounts of resources into the development of electric vehicles, and Hyundai is no different. Hyundai is going a step further, though, according to a report published Thursday by Reuters. By that, I mean it will slash the number of internal combustion models that it offers.That’s right, the Korean automaker is planning on cutting 50% of its current internal combustion models to free up resources to develop battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles. According to multiple Reuters sources close to the company, this decision was rumored to have been made back in March by top Hyundai executives.

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Hyundai and sister brand Kia’s EV ambitions have been making headlines lately with the stellar-looking Ioniq 5 and EV6 models, and the company has said that there are more models on their way.Several other automakers have pledged that their current generations of internal combustion powertrains would be their last. These have included Volkswagen and Mercedes’ parent company Daimler. Other companies, like Porsche, have committed to finding ways to make internal combustion engines as ecologically friendly as EVs, with considerable resources being spent on the development of “eFuel.”We reached out to Hyundai representatives for comment but didn’t hear back in time for publication.
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There could be a vehicle plug in your not-too-distant future.
Ford

It’s slowly but surely getting easier to plug in to electric motoring. Electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly common sight on US roads, along with the charging stations needed to keep ’em juiced up. A few brands seem to dominate the news cycle when it comes to new EVs, but there are actually well over a dozen fully electric models on sale in the US today.That in mind, here’s a list of every electric vehicle on sale in the US and how far each will go on a single charge, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.Editors’ note: This list only includes vehicles that have been certified by the EPA. More EVs might be in the news, but they will not be added to this compilation until they’re officially about to go on sale in the US.

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Audi E-Tron

222 miles

Audi

On the surface, Audi’s first purpose-built battery electric road car hasn’t changed much since its 2019 debut, with only minor tweaks and a few revisions to its options. Yet a combination of software and hardware updates have helped the electric SUV squeeze a few extra miles out of its 95 kilowatt-hour battery, climbing to an EPA estimated maximum range of 222 miles. Somewhat sweetening the pot, the E-Tron’s starting price (including destination) has also dropped to $66,995 for the base Premium model.

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The E-Tron has been joined by a new Sportback variant. The underpinnings, powertrain and tech are all the same as the aforementioned electric SUV, but the E-Tron Sportback features a slightly lower roofline and a windswept and silhouette — coupe-like, if you squint. You’d think that the more aerodynamic profile would net more range, but the Sportback’s sportier tuning only returns about 218 miles per charge. It’s pricier, too, starting at $70,195.

Read our 2021 Audi e-tron Sportback preview.

BMW

BMW’s i3 has always been a little weird looking and expensive at $45,445, but it does offer a few things nothing else in the class can match. The biggest of these is its carbon-fiber chassis, which increases stiffness, reduces weight and looks great on a spec sheet. The i3 is definitely meant to be a city car with a relatively short range — up to 153 miles. But it’s easy to park and a nice place to spend time, so we can’t fault it too much.

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The Bolt EV was the mainstream car industry’s first real, practical answer to Tesla’s electric juggernauts. It’s an affordable little hatchback that doesn’t stick out like the i3 and today, it packs plenty of all-electric range at 259 miles — a nice increase over its initial 236-mile range. With a starting price of just $36,620, the Bolt has positioned itself as the perfect alternative to Tesla’s impossible-to-spec $35,000 Model 3.

Read our 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV review.

Chevrolet Bolt EUV

247 miles

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

The Bolt EUV tucks the Bolt EV’s battery pack and electric car platform beneath a slightly taller and longer body. The increased weight and aerodynamic profile cost the electric utility vehicle a bit of range, dropping to a still-decent 247 miles, according to the EPA. Other reasons you may want to consider the larger EUV include its increased capacity for cargo and second-row passengers and to get your hands on — or rather, hands off — GM’s Super Cruise advanced driver assistance tech. The bigger Bolt strikes this summer starting at $38,495. 

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Ford’s Mach-E may be a Mustang in name alone, but it’s an EV through and through. This electric SUV is offered in a variety of configurations, from the single-motor “Select” spec starting at $43,995 to the Premium AWD Extended range model at $54,400. At its best, the rear-driven California Route 1 Edition cruises for up to 305 miles with a full charge.Later this year, high-performance Mach-E GT and GT Performance models will join the lineup, boasting up to 634 pound-feet of torque and a 0-60 sprint in just 3.5 seconds. We’ll update when the EPA gets its hands on them. Until then, here’s what Ford is offering:Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD: 211 milesFord Mustang Mach-E AWD Extended: 270 milesFord Mustang Mach-E RWD: 230 milesFord Mustang Mach-E RWD Extended: 300 milesFord Mustang Mach-E RWD California Route 1: 305 miles

Read our 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E preview.

Hyundai

Hyundai is getting way more into the EV game, but the car that started it out for them was the Ioniq Electric, and you can still get it. It’s basic in almost every sense of the word, but its range has gotten a nice increase since its debut to 170 miles. This bad boy lists for just a hair over $30,000, and that makes it a decent deal. 

Read our 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric review.

Hyundai

The Kona Electric is one of the most exciting new EVs you can buy right now. It has excellent range, weird-but-fun styling, tons of standard equipment and all the other killer Hyundai stuff (including a great warranty). The Kona EV is a lot quicker and more fun to drive than you’d expect, while its range of 258 miles puts it among the upper-echelon of modern battery-electrics. With a price tag starting at $36,990, you’re getting a lot for your money. 

Read our 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric review.

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Jaguar was one of the last companies we’d have expected to release a purely electric SUV. But it did, and the decision ended up working in its favor. The I-Pace looks like nothing else, drives like a Jag and offers a real alternative to the Tesla Model X. The I-Pace is a practical beast: Having been designed from the ground up to be an EV, it has plenty of space for people and things and a substantial range of 234 miles.

Read our 2020 Jaguar I-PACE review.

Kandi K27

59 miles

Kandi

No, we’re not joking. This newcomer has the distinction of being the least expensive new electric car you can buy today: The K27 costs a no-haggle, no-nonsense $19,999. And that’s before the $7,500 federal tax credit, which brings the cost down to $12,499. That’s cheap for any new car, but that price also only gets you a ridiculously short range of just 59 miles per charge and an… unorthodox aesthetic.

Kia

Kia’s Niro EV is Kia’s best effort yet at making a fully battery-electric SUV that offers good range for not a lot of money (239 miles, $38,500 to start), and it surprised us when we drove it for the first time. It’s more fun than its looks or specs would suggest, and it’s packed with a deep roster of standard features that make modern Kias so hard to beat for value.

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Mini Cooper SE

110 miles

Mini

You may not remember this, but Mini was actually an early pioneer of modern EVs. Back in 2009, the automaker underwent a large-scale test of electric Mini E hatchbacks, building hundreds and leasing them to hand-picked consumers and utility companies. It gave up on the tech after a couple years, and it’s taken until now for the brand to offer a BEV for sale. The 2021 Mini Cooper SE Electric promises to be one of the most affordable EVs on the market. Priced from $29,900 plus delivery, when you factor in the full federal tax credit and potential state and local incentives, you could own one for well under $20,000. There’s a catch, of course: limited range. The Mini Electric is only estimated at 110 miles of range, about as short an e-leash as you’ll find today. It’s not a compliance car sold only in California-emissions markets — Mini says the SE is a 50-state model.

Read our 2020 Mini Cooper SE Electric review.

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Ah yes, the granddaddy of all affordable electric cars. There is a reason that the Leaf is the world’s bestselling EV by a factor of a zillion. And if you’ve spent time in one recently, you’ll know it’s easy to see why. The Leaf is a simple, well-built and affordable electric car that offers reasonable range — 149 miles — but still feels like the future.The Leaf Plus is Nissan’s answer to cars like the Tesla Model 3, the Kona Electric and the Bolt. It has the Leaf line’s best range yet at 226 miles, and while it’s not as cheap as the standard Leaf, it offers more for your money. More what? Power and torque mostly. Some of its tech is a little old, but that means it’s well-proved at this point.

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Polestar

The second plug-in model from the fledgling Polestar brand is also its first to run completely on battery power. The Polestar 2 fastback — a sort of tall, liftback sedan chimera — hits the ground running with impressive interior appointments and gorgeous Scandinavian style. The Polestar 2 boasts a range of 233 miles per charge. We think that’s more than enough range for daily driving and then some, but the 2’s starting price of $61,200 puts it in the unenviable position of being cross-shopped with the much longer-ranging variants of the Tesla Model S and Y.

Read our 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 review.

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Porsche’s first battery-electric car arrives to take on the Tesla Model S. It initially went on sale in Turbo and Turbo S forms, packing 670 and 750 horsepower, respectively. The Turbo starts at $150,900 while the more powerful S comes in at $185,000. This year sees the addition of a new rear-drive Taycan base model, starting at $81,250. The EPA-estimated ranges have also been revised, improving across the board for 4S and Turbo models. That lines up somewhat with our independent testing, where we found the Turbo’s previous EPA numbers to be a bit conservative.Porsche Taycan Performance: 200 milesPorsche Taycan Performance Battery Plus: 225 milesPorsche Taycan 4S Performance: 199 milesPorsche Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus: 227 milesPorsche Taycan Turbo: 212 milesPorsche Taycan Turbo S: 201 miles

Read our 2021 Porsche Taycan review.

Tesla Model 3

353 miles

Tesla

This is the EV to which all other midpriced electric vehicles have to answer. The Model 3 is just that good. It’s comfortable, fun to drive, has tons of cargo space and one of the best ranges in its class. For 2021, Tesla simplified the Model 3 lineup, dropping from six configurations to three optimized specs:Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus: 263 milesTesla Model 3 Long Range AWD: 353 milesTesla Model 3 Performance AWD: 315 miles

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Tesla Model S

412 miles

Tesla

The Model S has been around in more or less the same form since 2012. It’s gotten several updates to its hardware, styling and performance — and is still the reigning champ of all-electric range. It’s also $79,990 before adding things like different wheels, paint or Tesla’s dubiously named Full Self-Driving feature, which feels like a lot for one of the oldest vehicles here.Like the smaller Model 3, its lineup has been revised for 2021. However in this case, it ditched its Standard Range model to make room for the new top-spec Plaid and Plaid Plus, which Tesla promises will be “the quickest production cars ever.” Tesla also estimates that these super sedans will boast 390 miles and “over 520 miles” of range, respectively. Unfortunately, the EPA hasn’t yet confirmed those claims, and the Plaid pair don’t go on sale until the fall. We’ll update when they do. For now, here’s the new breakdown:

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Tesla Model X

371 miles

Tesla

The Tesla Model X is like the Model S in that it’s fast and expensive, but it’s also bigger, roomier and has the craziest doors to be found on a production car this side of the Lamborghini Aventador. Thanks to a similar update to the Model S, the X Standard Range is no more, but improvements to the Long Range Plus mode increase max range to 371 miles on a single charge. That’s not bad for something so big. There will also be a Model X Plaid — but not Plaid Plus — in the fall 2021. Until then, here’s how the Model X line shakes out:

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Tesla Model Y

326 miles

Tesla

Think of the Tesla Model Y as the larger, frumpier version of the Model 3: Smaller than the Model X, the Y still offers seating for seven (somehow) and the same powerful electric powertrain. According to the EPA, it’ll do an impressive 326 miles on a full charge in Long Range Spec. The Performance model offers better performance (of course), but at the cost of a few miles range versus last year. And, like the rest of Tesla’s lineup, the Standard Range model is no more.

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The XC40 Recharge’s $20,000 premium over the combustion-powered XC40 is a hard pill to swallow, but if you look past the sticker, the price is somewhat justified. For starters, the $54,985 EV’s 486 pound-feet of performance are a class beyond the standard T5 powertrain’s 258 torques, as are its all-new Android Automotive cabin tech and luxurious interior appointments. We just wish its range was equally impressive: The 208 miles it offers is a touch low for this class and price range.

Read our 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 eAWD Pure Electric preview.

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Taking the place of the humble E-Golf is Volkswagen’s first dedicated electric vehicle in the US, the 2021 VW ID 4. The first deliveries of its electric SUV should begin later this year. The performance is fine and the styling is unobtrusive, but its promise of utility, capacity and up to 250 miles of range make the ID 4 a fairly practical choice for families looking to go electric. The Tesla Model Y offers more range and better driving dynamics, but starting at $41,190 before incentives, the VW is more budget-friendly.

Read our 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 review.

Every EV available in 2021

Make/Model/Trim

Best Range

MSRP

Audi e-tron

222

$66,995

Audi e-tron Sportback

218

$70,195

BMW i3

153

$45,445

Chevrolet Bolt EV

259

$36,620

Chevrolet Bolt EUV

247

$38,495

Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1

305

$51,500

Hyundai Ioniq Electric

170

$34,250

Hyundai Kona Electric

258

$38,565

Jaguar I-Pace

234

$71,000

Kandi K27

59

$19,999

Kia Niro Electric

239

$40,265

Mini Cooper SE Hardtop 2 door

110

$30,750

Nissan Leaf S Plus

226

$39,220

Polestar 2

233

$61,200

Porsche Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus

227

$110,720

Tesla Model 3 Long Range

353

$48,490

Tesla Model S Long Range

412

$79,990

Tesla Model X Long Range

371

$89,990

Tesla Model Y Long Range

326

$51,490

Volvo XC40 AWD BEV

208

$55,085

Volkswagen ID 4

250

$41,190

A few truly charming electric cars have disappeared from the list this year and will be missed, but overall the list is longer than ever. That means more choices running a wider gamut of ranges, prices and body styles. That’s good news for electric car enthusiasts, early adopters and regular drivers looking for flexible and reliable transportation. And there will be more to come even by the end of 2021 — from the newly announced Ford F-150 Lightning to budget-friendly offerings like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and more. We’ll be updating the list as more models are certified by the EPA, so check back often.For a list of just our favorite electric vehicles, check out our best electric cars for 2021 roundup. There’s also our list of the best kids electric cars for 2021, because it’s never too early to cultivate a love of cars — electric or otherwise. More

Pretty soon, we’ll be getting our first Lexus EV.
Lexus

Toyota and Lexus have been criticized for being late to the battery-electric vehicle game, while other companies have been pouring billions of dollars into their development. Instead, Toyota and Lexus have chosen to focus their efforts on hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.It would seem, though, that the criticism didn’t go unnoticed: Lexus announced on Wednesday that it expects to debut its first BEV in 2022. Of course, that’s not all that far off, and it’s only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

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This new Lexus EV will be a brand-new model, as opposed to an electric version of an RX or LS. Beyond that, we know it’ll likely have steer-by-wire technology as well as Lexus’ Direct4 torque distribution system.Lexus plans to introduce at least 10 BEVs, plug-in hybrids and non-plug-in hybrids to market by 2025, according to its grand Lexus Electrified plan as first outlined back in 2019.

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While the idea of swappable EV batteries was both common and appealing a decade or more ago, it has since fallen out of fashion as EV range has steadily increased. Or, at least that’s been the case in the US. However, things are different in China, and to show just how different, the country has just approved the first official swappable EV battery standard and safety guidelines, which are set to go into effect on Nov. 1, CNEVPost reported Monday.Why is China so interested in making EV battery swaps a thing? Well, according to a statement made by Xin Guobin, vice minister of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, there are a few reasons, but the biggest are reduced cost to vehicle buyers, cheaper charging by charging during off-peak hours and customers being able to choose the size of battery they need on a given day.

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Companies like NIO and BAIC have advanced the new battery swap standard, but it’s Geely that seems to be sprinting ahead, based on a recent YouTube video showing off its 1-minute automated battery swapping station.Will China’s adoption of these new standards have a meaningful impact on the way the American EV market looks at swappable battery technology? Our guess is no, especially given the number of EVs on our roads already with nonswappable batteries and the cost of building out an infrastructure of stations to handle the swaps, but it’s still a cool idea.

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