Electric Cars

Mazda’s first EV, the MX-30, arrives in California this fall.
Mazda

Mazda announced plans this week to have a fully electrified lineup by the year 2030. Hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric models are all part of this plan, which Mazda detailed as part of its Sustainable Zoom-Zoom 2030 vision.”We will deliver multiple electrification solutions to meet various customers’ needs, environmental regulations and the electric power generating infrastructure in a market,” Mazda said in a statement. The start of this onslaught comes in 2022 when Mazda says it will introduce its Skyactiv Multi-Solution Scalable Architecture, which can accommodate traditional hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrain setups. Mazda will further develop its efficient Skyactiv-X gas engine for use with electrification, and will introduce a new straight-six engine, which is rumored to power upcoming rear-wheel-drive SUVs.Beyond that, Mazda said it will launch its Skyactiv EV Scalable Architecture in 2025. The company will introduce “several vehicles” on this platform, all between the years 2025 and 2030. “Based on this product launch plan, we assume that 100% of our products will have some level of electrification, and our EV ratio will be 25% by 2030,” the company said.Currently, Mazda definitely trails the rest of the automotive industry when it comes to electrification. The company does not offer any hybrids or EVs in its US lineup, and the first electrified vehicle — the MX-30 — will launch in California later this year. We’re excited to see what Mazda has in store, as we’re big fans of electrified vehicles here at Roadshow. If these new products can keep Mazda’s great-driving ethos in check, then it should be a big win-win for eco-mined enthusiasts.
Mazda MX-30 EV has suicide doors and cork interior trim

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GM’s Ultium battery technology, coming to a locomotive near you.
Wabtec

In the coming years, GM’s advanced Ultium battery technology will power a sprawling range of electric vehicles, from high-end trucks and luxury SUVs to family-friendly crossovers, a flagship-caliber luxury sedan and even locomotives. Wait, what?Yes, you read that correctly. Ultium batteries will be used in trains. On Tuesday, a partnership between GM and the Wabtec Corporation, a prominent player in the rail sector, was announced. The two firms signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the aim of developing and commercializing Ultium technology as well as the automaker’s Hydrotec hydrogen fuel cells for use in locomotives.If Ultium batteries can move a massive Hummer SUV, they can pull an entire train.
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The automotive industry isn’t the only one that needs to be cleaned up. Significant gains can be made by decarbonizing trains, something Wabtec’s FLXdrive locomotive, the world’s first 100% battery-powered train, has already proven. Back in May, this locomotive’s efficiency gains were announced and the machine demonstrated an 11% average reduction in fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. According to the company, this is equal to saving more than 6,200 gallons of diesel fuel and eliminating the production of around 69 tons of CO2. These figures were announced after a three-month test program with BNSF Railway in California’s San Joaquin Valley, where FLXdrive was used in revenue service on more than 13,300 miles of hilly terrain. The locomotive had 2.4 megawatt hours of on-board energy storage capacity, but if it had 6-mWh of juice, Wabtec estimates the train could reduce emissions and fuel consumption by up to 30%. The FLXdrive locomotive clocks in at some 430,000 pounds and contains 18,000 lithium-ion cells, 18,000. This provides a range of around 350 miles and a top speed of about 75 mph. And you thought the Tesla Model S had a lot of battery capacity. This train engine charges at the rail yard and, just like, say, a Toyota Prius, uses regenerative braking to recuperate energy while underway. With GM’s advanced technologies and expertise, Wabtec is aiming to do even better than this. Next, the company plans to build a locomotive with more than 6-mWh of onboard storage capacity to push the FLXdrive’s environmental gains further.

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Cadillac’s Lyriq crossover SUV is headed to dealers for the 2023 model year.
Cadillac

General Motors will substantially accelerate its investment in electric cars and autonomous vehicle technologies, the company announced Wednesday. The Detroit automaker will ramp up its investments from a previously announced $20 billion to $35 billion through 2025. A portion of that funding will go towards the creation of two additional lithium-ion battery cell plants in North America, doubling today’s total. “GM is also announcing two new Ultium battery cell plants in the US, in addition to our plants that are already under construction in Ohio and Tennessee,” GM’s CEO Mary Barra said in a statement on LinkedIn. The automaker did not disclose where those plants will be located.The $35 billion investment total is a dramatic ramp up from the figure announced in March 2020 (largely prior to the pandemic) and that amount pushes GM’s planned investments past those of arch-rival Ford, which has committed $30 billion to EVs and AVs over the same time period.The news comes amidst increasing profit projections for this year, despite the pandemic and the semiconductor shortage, which has been hurting production of new vehicles. According to a GM press release, the company expects its second-quarter profits to be $3 to $4 billion higher than earlier estimates. The company is now targeting first-half earnings of $8.5 billion to $9.5 billion before interest and taxes, up from $5.5 billion.

As part of the announcement, GM also confirmed it will launch a third generation of Hydrotec fuel cells by “mid-decade,” as part of a joint-venture agreement with Japanese automaker Honda.GM previously announced plans to unveil 30 electric vehicles by 2025 worldwide. At present, however, it only offers the recently refreshed Chevrolet Bolt EV and its new crossover derivative, the Bolt EUV. The automaker has already revealed other new EVs, including the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq (shown above) and the 2024 GMC Hummer pickup. GM has already confirmed its electric transformation won’t just be for everyday new consumer vehicles. Among its other battery-powered power plays, the company previously revealed a commercial delivery van from a new business division called Brightdrop that’s expected to be assembled in Canada. In January at CES 2021, the automaker also confirmed it is pursuing developing flying vehicles, including an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, which could carry Cadillac branding.GM stock is up over 2.5% as of publication.
Cadillac’s eVTOL is an electric, autonomous personal air taxi

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There could be a vehicle plug in your not-too-distant future.
Ford

It feels like electric cars are starting to step into their moment. EVs are more common than ever, not just on the roads, but at various dealerships from brands that never sold an EV until now. Believe it or not, there are well over a dozen fully electric vehicles on sale in the US today.With 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.

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.

Read more.

Chris Paukert/Roadshow

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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Steven Ewing/Roadshow

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.

Chris Paukert/Roadshow

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.

Read more.

Tim Stevens/Roadshow

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.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

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 for 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.

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The face of things to come.
Lincoln

Next year, Lincoln celebrates its 100th anniversary as part of the Ford Motor Company. To mark this centennial anniversary, Lincoln is giving itself the gift of electrification. The brand’s first battery electric vehicle will launch next year, Lincoln confirmed Wednesday, leading the charge towards a fully electrified fleet by 2030, consisting of a mix of EVs, hybrids and plug-in hybrids.That first full-electric model will hit both North American and Chinese roads in 2022. The yet unnamed vehicle will be built on the new “rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive battery electric flexible architecture” announced during Ford’s Capital Markets Day investor event last month. Lincoln ultimately has plans for a total of “four new and distinct fully electric vehicles,” the company said in a statement, all of which will use the new platform.On a call with media this week, Lincoln told us to look to the Zephyr Reflection concept, which debuted at the Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year, for the clearest hints of what the new BEV will look like, both inside and out. But since Lincoln doesn’t sell sedans in the States anymore, expect the silhouette that arrives next year to be that of an SUV or crossover. Based on the conceptual sketches and teasers that accompanied Lincoln’s release, we’re guessing we’ll see something similar in proportion to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, if not also a touch larger in scale. However, that’s purely speculation at this point.Though inspired by the Zephyr Reflection concept, the BEV that arrives next year will likely be an SUV.
Lincoln
Lincoln gave us a shadowy peek at the new model’s front light treatment with its new Lincoln Embrace startup animation — a pulse of light that glides from the illuminated crosshair badge to the segmented headlamp signatures before smoothly connecting the entire front end with a single horizontal bar. Inside, we’ll see the next generation of Lincoln’s Quiet Flight design ethos. The cabin should literally be quieter thanks to the electric powertrain, which also allows designers more physical room to create an open, relaxing space with a minimalist aesthetic called the Lincoln Sanctuary. Expect the panoramic “coast-to-coast display” from the Zephyr Reflection concept to make an appearance — tying into the strong horizontal theme of the cabin and exterior designs — as well as the debut of a new Constellation digital design language for the infotainment and gauges featuring mood-based themes showcasing the night sky.”As we accelerate Lincoln’s transformation in North America and China, there is no better time to propel the Lincoln brand forward with electrification,” said Joy Falotico, president of Lincoln. “Electrification will take Quiet Flight to a new level with the smooth, exhilarating take-off feel and serene quietness our clients expect from a Lincoln.”Purpose-built EVs are quite space efficient, a trait Lincoln hopes to emphasize with its Sanctuary interior design
Lincoln
Lincoln also announced that it will be introducing the Lincoln Charging Network — a partnership with EV charging infrastructure providers like Electrify America — that EV owners will be able to access via an update coming to the Lincoln Way mobile app.Lincoln’s upcoming push for electrification comes as part of the Ford Plus Plan, Ford Motor Company’s $30 billion wave of investment in electrification over the next five years. Lincoln estimates that by the middle of this decade (around 2026 or so), more than half of the brand’s global sales will be zero-emissions vehicles and, by 2030, every model wearing a Lincoln badge in the US and China will be powered by an electrified powertrain — whether that be a full EV or hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains like those found in the new Aviator and Corsair.

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Tesla automobile plugged in and charging a Supercharger rapid battery charging station for the electric vehicle company Tesla Motors, in the Silicon Valley town of Mountain View, California, August 24, 2016. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images).
Smith Collection/Gado, Getty Images

Electrification is for the masses, these days. Gone are the times when hybrids were simply a niche idea. Today, so many forms of hybrids and full-blown electric cars are on sale ready to earn a spot in your driveway. Across the board, each of them have a similar goal: efficiency and reduced-emissions driving. It’s an excellent time to be shopping for these kinds of cars, simply because there are so many great choices.Hybrids and fully electric vehicles have a lot of other benefits, from federal, state and local tax incentives — though some of these perks phased out for particular automakers — to increased HOV lane access and much-reduced maintenance in the case of purely electric cars. There are downsides, of course, like the potential for expensive (if rare) battery-replacement costs.Read more: Best electric cars for 2021Read on below as we break down each kind of electrified vehicle, plus their pros and cons so you can make the best buying decision for your electrified vehicle.Yeah, even truck’s are in on the mild-hybrid game.
Jon Wong/Roadshow
Mild hybrid A mild hybrid system is the simplest and most cost-effective way of adding electric drivetrain components to a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE). In a mild hybrid system, the ICE will often shut itself off entirely under no-load conditions such as coasting down a hill or coming to a stop. The hybrid system allows the ICE to be restarted almost instantaneously and can power ancillary systems on the vehicle such as the stereo or air conditioning. Some mild hybrid systems will feature regenerative braking or will offer power-assist or torque-fill to the ICE, but all lack the ability to run solely on electric power. Advantages Can power many of a car’s electrical systems.Stop-start system saves fuel during idle.Can reduce turbo lag by torque-filling until the engine comes on boost.Lighter weight compared to other electrified vehicles.Lower complexity.Lower cost. Disadvantages Increased cost and complexity versus internal combustion-only engines.No full-EV mode.The OG hybrid.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
Series hybrid The series hybrid — also known as power split or parallel hybrid — is what most people think of when they think of a hybrid vehicle. These use a downsized ICE to provide power at higher speeds and in higher load conditions, and a battery-electric system to move the vehicle at low speeds and low-load conditions. This allows the ICE to work in its ideal efficiency range, thus providing excellent fuel economy, especially in city driving conditions. Advantages Excellent efficiency at around-town speeds.Gasoline-powered ICE for longer range (and longer journeys).Offers a good compromise between efficiency, usability and overall cost. Disadvantages Typically higher cost than a purely ICE-driven vehicle of the same size.Maximizing efficiency means reducing power output.The RAV4 Prime has a whole lot of electric range to it.
Emme Hall/Roadshow
Plug-in hybrid The plug-in hybrid is the next logical step forward from the series hybrid system. These cars move closer to the fully electric vehicle side of the continuum, with the ability to go longer distances on electric power alone. The plug-in part of their name comes from their ability to be plugged into an electric car charging station, rather than just relying on the ICE and regenerative braking for battery power, thus effectively eliminating range anxiety. Another area where plug-in hybrids differ from either mild hybrids or series hybrids is in the size of their battery pack. This is what gives them their extended EV-only range. Advantages Increased range over battery electric vehicles (BEVs) due to range-extending gasoline engine.Lower purchasing cost compared to BEVs.Lower running cost compared to series hybrids. Disadvantages More expensive to buy than series hybrids or mild hybrids.Larger battery packs mean more weight.More complex than mild hybrids.Everyone knows the Model 3.
Nick Miotke/Roadshow
Battery electric Battery electric vehicles are mostly what they sound like: A big battery with at least one electric drive motor wired to it. Oh, and tons of complex software to manage the thousands of individual cells that make up that big battery. Mechanically speaking, BEVs are the least complex of all the vehicles we’re covering when you consider that even the simplest multi-cylinder internal combustion engine has many hundreds of moving parts, while an electric motor only has its rotor. Purely electric vehicles are becoming more and more common, thanks to innovation from relatively new companies like Tesla and industry stalwarts like General Motors and Nissan. Advantages Mechanical simplicity means less maintenance than ICE.Tons of instant torque.Nearly silent operation.Electricity is cheap, for now.No tailpipe, therefore no emissions and no emissions testing.Low center of gravity is great for vehicle handling. Disadvantages More expensive than similar size series hybrids or ICE vehicles.Limited range.Lengthy charging times.Charging station infrastructure still up and coming. Impractical for most people unless you have 240-volt Level 2 charging at your home or parking spot.Higher weight than similarly sized vehicles.Uncertain environmental impact for end-of-life battery disposal.The Hyundai Nexo is only available in select areas.
Daniel Golson/Roadshow
Hydrogen fuel cell A fuel cell takes hydrogen and oxidizes it to create an electrical charge, which is then channeled into a battery and used by electric motors. This technology has been around in automobiles for a few decades, but due to costs, size of components and a relative lack of infrastructure, there aren’t many companies still working with it. Miniaturization of tech in the last few years has made hydrogen FCVs more commercially viable, and we’re starting to see more interest from manufacturers like Honda and Hyundai. Advantages No need to charge; simply fill your car with hydrogen and go.Silent operation, much like a BEV.Only emission is water. Disadvantages Hydrogen prices fluctuate wildly, oftentimes more expensive than fossil fuels.Limited refueling network outside of select cities such as Los Angeles or San Francisco.Hydrogen tanks can eat into passenger compartment or cargo room if the vehicle wasn’t designed from the ground up for fuel cells.

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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.
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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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