Whether you’re for it or against it, the rise of the electric car is now unstoppable. As a pioneer, Tesla has opened many eyes and doors; in the meantime the product offensives of the major car manufacturers are also gradually coming up to cruising speed. And yes, there are also surprisingly fun and affordable cars among them.
Audi e-tron
Audi is kicking off its electro-offensive with this e-tron at the end of this year. In 2020 Audi will have three fully electric models; by 2025 the brand with the four rings wants to launch over 20 electric and plug-in hybrid models.
BMW i4 & Mini Electric
With the i3 and i8, BMW was the first German premium brand to have a separate line of electric cars; by 2025 the BMW group will bring no fewer than 25 ‘electrified’ (BMW-speak for both electric and plug-in hybrid cars, ed.) models onto the market. Next year an electric version of the legendary Mini is already following; in the meantime BMW has also confirmed the arrival of a new i4. It will be based on the i Vision Dynamics, a four-door coupé with a range of 600 kilometres and an acceleration of 0-100 km/hr in four seconds.
Hyundai Kona EV
Hyundai too is emphatically getting involved in the electric discussions. After the Ioniq EV we’re getting the electric version of the Kona, an SUV that can be ordered in both a Short and Long Range version, this year too. The first will be powered by a 135 hp-strong electric engine with a range of 300 kilometres. The Long Range version is getting 204 horses, goes to 100 km/hr in 7.6 seconds and travels 470 kilometres on a single battery charge. The Long Range has a capacity of 64 kWh, while the entry-level version keeps it to 39.2 kWh.
Jaguar I-Pace
This summer Jaguar brings its very first electric SUV on the market with the I-Pace, a direct competitor for the Tesla Model X. With approximately 400 horsepower, the I-Pace should be capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/hr in 4.8 seconds, figures that outdo even a standard F-Type… In addition, your ‘range anxiety’ pills can stay in the cupboard, because an actual range of 400 kilometres is definitely possible.
Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ
By analogy with BMW’s i-series, Mercedes-Benz is coming out soon with a new EQ label. The first in line is the EQC, an SUV based on the GLC that is appearing in the catalogue by 2020. The EQC will probably get two electric engines, together good for 400 horsepower; the car should achieve a range of about 500 kilometres. In the meantime the EQA, an electric alternative to the recently unveiled A-Class, has also been confirmed.
Porsche Mission E
At Porsche they don’t (yet) dare to talk about an electric 911; an electric Panamera is however part of the specific plans for the future. Next year in fact we’re getting the production version of this Mission E Concept, a car that – according to Porsche – embodies the sports car of the future. Its electric powertrain supplies 670 hp and the zero-to-hundred takes no more than 3.5 seconds. In addition, with a fully-charged battery you should be able to drive up to 500 km.
Tesla Model 3 & Tesla Roadster
The most hyped car of recent years is undoubtedly the Tesla Model 3, the car that was to force the big breakthrough with regard to electro-mobility. Little has come of those good intentions so far; Tesla is still struggling to get production going and having hard times financially. According to the latest reports the first European customers will be able to take delivery of their car at the end of 2018. Elon Musk is shrewd enough however to appease his followers with the ideal diversion in the meantime: a new Roadster, with a promised sprint from 0 to 100 km/hr in 1.9 seconds the fastest production car of all time. It’s expected in 2020… for now, at least.
Volkswagen I.D. range
In the coming five years the Volkswagen group is pumping no less than 70 billion euro into rewriting automobile history and erasing the Dieselgate affair for good. For now Volkswagen is still roaming the international motor shows with four I.D. concept cars (the I.D., I.D. Buzz, I.D. Crozz and I.D Vizzion, ed.); by 2025 the Germans are aiming for sales of approximately one million units. In 2020 the I.D. – an electric Golf, let’s say – is opening the discussions; it’s getting a new MEB platform and a range of 400 to 600 kilometres.
Volvo XC40 & V40
Volvo has already let it be known that it is launching five fully electric cars between 2019 and 2021. The first will probably be an electric version of the XC40; later the successor to the current V40 will also be equipped with a 100% electric powertrain. Volvo isn’t revealing more details for now; the electric XC40 should be appearing on the market in 2019.
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A Tesla as a used car: dare or do?
There’s no question that the automobile landscape will be completely redrawn in the years to come under the influence of electrification. At OPENLANE too, the selection of electric cars and hybrids is growing steadily; every day there are approximately 100 such cars up for auction. The majority of these cars come from the Netherlands, where they have already benefited from a more favourable tax rate for some time. Prices vary from 4000 euro (Toyota) to 50,000 euro (Tesla). Next month we examine which models you as a professional should quickly include in your selection, and which you might be advised to ignore.
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