Dozens of new vehicle models are in the pipeline by 2025, nearly all of them electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid, in all shapes, sizes and prices.
It’s more a reaction to mandated emission cuts coming to Europe in 2021 than it is to buyer demand in Europe or in the USA.
Here’s what’s in the pipeline, for 2020, 2021 and 2022, in no particular order:
Jaguar
Jaguar has confirmed the rumor that the next generation XJ sedan will be an EV, joining the award-winning I-Pace SUV in the electric garage.
The XJ electric will go outlet-to-outlet against the Tesla Model S and the new Porsche Taycan EV.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz has launched a sub-brand for its electric models, EQ.
The Vision EQS is a concept, which means to show the intended design and technology, but not the final version – although most concepts are pretty close to the final version.
The EQS is gorgeous, with soft rounded surfaces and filled with futuristic technology, including a front end grill peppered with LED lights that replace headlights.
It won’t be cheap – EQ models will be on price par with flagship S-Class models, also competing directly with the Jaguar, Tesla and Porsche models, so start saving your pennies now for the roll-out expected by 2022.
Mercedes has announced plans to launch a new EV every year, with the goal of 10 all-electric models by 2022, all of them more affordable than the EQS.
Volkswagen
At the other end of the price line, VW has unveiled its ID.3 electric compact, due to arrive in German dealerships in mid-2020 and in North America in early 2021.
It’s the first VW designed on the MEB modular platform, which the company will be using for additional models.
At a pricetag under $30,000 and a range of up to 350 miles between charges, it should be a popular choice for budget conscious consumers.
VW is sweetening the pot with a year of free charging in Europe, but hasn’t announced if that deal will be extended to the US and Canada. Ditto the three battery size options.
The new ID Crozz, for crossover, thankfully is being renamed ID4 and will arrive in the US before the ID3, at the end of 2020.
VW will build it in Europe until an $800 million upgrade of its award-winning LEED certified plant in Chattanooga is completed, then production shifts there, joining the Jetta and Atlas. The ID4 also is built on the MEB modular platform.
VW also is introducing a hybrid version of its Golf bestseller.
Ford
Ford plans eight new electric vehicles for Europe, some of which will be for North America, including an SUV inspired by the iconic Mustang.
The Mustang Mach-E is a stunner, has an EPA-estimated range of between 230 and 300 miles between charges, and will be available as a rear-wheel or AWD drive, and there’s also a supercharged GT version in the plans.
Prices start at $43,895 before the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. It can be pre-ordered now, but won’t be in your driveway until 2021.
Maybe even 2022, since the first production run already is sold out.
According to KBB, Ford is pouring $11.5 billion into developing 40 new BEVs, PHEVs and Hybrids, including the Mach E.
Ford expects to sell one million EVs in Europe by 2022, more than sales of gasoline and diesel models.
Hyundai
Hyundai showed an electric version of its Veloster at the Frankfurt Auto Show in ate 2019, teasing that the track model N ETCR will be turned into a street version, joining its EV siblings Kona and the Sonata and Ioniq models, which includes a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.
There’s also a renewed interest in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, including from Toyota and Hyundai.
But that’s another story for another time.
ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and guidebook and smartphone app author – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.
Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com.
Also follow my NYC website, www.nyconthecheap.com.
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