The 2021 LA Auto Show is gearing up for a great ten-day event. In anticipation of the massive automotive and auto lifestyle event, a press conference was held to announce the winner of the inaugural electric vehicle awards- the ZEVAS.
The ZEVAS or zero emission vehicle awards, were decided by the public through two rounds of open voting that occurred throughout the fall of 2021. Nine winners in various categories were selected from an initial 90 qualifying vehicles that met or exceeded California’s standards and became available for sale or pre-order in 2021.
The diverse winners came from a wide variety of makers from legacy brands to new start ups and were voted on by thousands of vehicle enthusiasts, shoppers, and members of the car community. Winners will be honored in person during the AutoMobility LA press conferences as well as at the LA Auto Show being held from November 19th through the 28th.
Let's take a closer look at the winners of the inaugural 2021 LA Auto Show ZEVAS!
ZEVAS Car Winners
After extensive voting from the public in four different areas pertaining to cars and crossovers, the winners have been decided! The best compact car is the Hyundai KONA Electric. The MSRP on this little car runs from $34,000-$42,500. It gets an astounding 258 miles per charge with zero emissions and has a ton of neat features.
A lot of great technology went into this one as it comes equipped with digital keys, huge digital screens, and wireless device charging. It is set to integrate seamlessly with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, has smart cruise control, and has creature comforts such as a heated steering wheel and leather trimmed seats as well.
The best coupe award winner is from a new on the scene startup- Alpha Motor Corporation’s. Their ACE Coupe has taken the title for 2021. This sporty car has an interesting appearance that is reminiscent of a classic early eighties hatchback, but with an updated sense of style, more appealing front end, and sleek techy-looking lines. This classy ride can go more than 250 miles on a single charge as well for the MSRP of between $32,000-$39,000.
The best sedan priced below $60,000 is the Tesla Model 3. Coming in as the only two-time ZEVAS winner is Tesla, continuing its legacy of EV greatness. The Model 3 boasts the quickest acceleration with a 0-60 mph time of a stunning 3.1 seconds. It also has a vast range of 358 miles on a single charge. Packed with all the technology Tesla is so known for, the Model 3 is an affordable car at just under $45,000 for the base model.
The best sedan priced above $60,000 winner is the Lucid Air. This sleek sedan costs a pretty penny, coming in at about $77,500 for the base model. However, the aerodynamic lines and interior comforts make this a true luxury car. With a huge projected range of over 400 miles per change and 480 hp potential, you do get a lot of bang for your buck with this EV as well. The car’s track ready feel won it the voter’s loyalty over other sedans in this range.
ZEVAS Van, SUV, Crossovers, And Truck Winners
The winner of best hatchback/van/wagon went to the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle. Canoo is another recent startup, quickly becoming famous for their vans which are being used as RVs, rentals, ride sharing services, and transportation in government and businesses. The Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle starts at just under $35,000 and is available for preorder now. With an impressive 350 hp and a 250-mile range, the Lifestyle Vehicle has seven seats, a tow hitch, a panoramic glass roof, light bar, and roof rack making it an appealing choice for families and road trips.
The best sport utility vehicle (SUV) was awarded to the Mullen FIVE. This compact SUV has a range estimate of up to 325 miles on a charge and is incredibly quick for an SUV with a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds. This year was the debut year for this model, and it came out of the gate running, beating out rivals from Lincoln and Rivian to take the title. Currently, the MSRP has not been explicitly set, but the company noted that it will likely cost between $55,000 and $75,000.
The winner of the best crossover priced below $50,000 is the Fisker Ocean. This five passenger SUV hits the market at just $37,500. The true SUV profile on this crossover, alongside the lower price tag made it a fan favorite early on and the ability to go 250 miles with a 0-60 mph time of just 6.9 seconds helped it on the way to its win.
The best crossover priced over $50,000 is the Tesla Model Y. Legacy maker Tesla comes as no surprise as a winner (two times, actually) of the ZEVAS this year. Held as a gold standard in the EV world, Tesla always seems to deliver. The Model Y is no exception to that with an ability to push over 300 miles on a charge. Coming in at an MSRP of $61,000 (up to $66,000 for the Performance trim), this crossover can carry up to seven passengers and a whole host of technology features, including Tesla’s well-known Autopilot.
Finally, the best truck award goes to the Rivian R1T. This truck beat out the well-known Tesla Cybertruck to take the title, an impressive feat. The R1T has a retail starting price of $67,500 and a range of just over 300 miles per charge. At first glance, the main standout of this truck as compared to its gas guzzling brothers is the headlights, oval and vertical, they give the truck a unique look. Its ability to handle rugged terrain as well as its impressive 11,000 lb. towing capacity make this EV a standout.
Overall, some great legacy makers and some surprising startups to watch have taken the ZEVAS this year at the 2021 LA Autoshow. By allowing public voting and broad categorizing, the ZEVAS are a great starting point for looking at what is ahead in the EV world or use for guidance when purchasing as all these EVs are deserving of their spot on the list.