Electric cars were at some point considered glorified golf carts. 16 years ago, Elon Musk started the evolution of modern electric cars as we know them today, making Tesla number one in the race for electric car dominance.
Following the success at Tesla, major car manufacturers have amped up their research and development of electric cars. With the rate at which the electric and hybrid car evolution is going, 2021 is foreseeably going to be the year when some of the major players will showcase what they have been working on. Here is a sneak-peek into what 2021 holds in store for us in regard to EVs and hybrids.
10 Ford F-150 Electric
Ford has always been at the forefront of automotive engineering. Ford pickup trucks are among the most popular in America, with the F-Series leading the popularity contest as the most sold pickup truck across all the 52 States.
Ford is hoping that their 2021 F-150 Electric truck will follow its predecessor’s footsteps and end up as America’s go-to electric truck. While not much is known about this truck, it is rumored to feature a battery pack with up to 300 miles of range and the drivetrain is expected to be all-wheel-drive.
9 Nissan Ariya
Since the unveiling of the Nissan Leaf in 2010, we are yet to see any new works from Nissan yet. However, Nissan has promised to deliver one of the most futuristic and technologically advanced crossover SUV by the end of 2021.
The Nissan Ariya is based off the Ariya Concept that was unveiled in 2019. While it will be toned down, the Nissan Ariya is expected to feature a power pack that lasts up to 300 miles and its starting price is estimated to be $40,000. If this vehicle lives up to the hype, then Nissan stands a chance to rival Tesla and Audi.
8 Audi Q4 E-Tron
Apart from truck manufacturers going all out with their inventions and innovation, small cars and SUV crossover are not being left behind. When it comes to crossover SUVs, Tesla has already set the bar high with the Tesla Model Y. Hyundai has also proved that it has what it takes with the Kona EV and previously, the Kia Niro EV.
Many say that Audi is late to the race but as far as this release is concerned, better late than never. The Audi Q4 e-tron is a small concept SUV that features two electric motors that push power to the car’s all-wheel-drive delivering up to 225 kW. The starting price on this ride is expected to be $45,000.
7 VW ID.4
Volkswagen confirmed that the VW ID.4 will be the company’s first next-generation electric vehicle globally. The VW ID.4 is based on the MEB platform. With anticipation for a global reach, the ID.4 aims to cross borders that its predecessor, the ID.3, could not and ended up being sold only in Europe.
Volkswagen predicts that by 2021, the VW ID .4 hatchback will be available in North America. From the details released by VW, the ID.4 features a power pack with 310 miles of range and is expected to be the same size as the Tesla Model Y.
6 Mercedes-Benz EQS
With Mercedes already promising to deliver an amazing crossover SUV, we cannot wait to see what they have planned for their sedan. The German car company has hinted at the completion of the Mercedes-Benz EQS, which is built to take on the formidable Tesla Model S.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is based on the concept EQS that was unveiled by the company last year. According to the specs provided by Mercedes, the EQS is fitted with a dual motor that has a maximum power output of 350kW and 760-newton meters of torque delivered to the wheels. The sedan’s battery pack is said to have a max range of 435 miles and is capable of fast charging.
5 BMW iNEXT
It would be a shame if BMW was to be left behind in the race for electric vehicle domination. While they have managed to keep details about the BMW iNEXT under wraps, there have been a few speculations about the car.
For starters, the price tag on this ride is expected to start at $45,000. Dubbed the “Tesla Killer” the BMW iNEXT is rumored to be having the company’s CLAR modular platform integrated to its system. The power pack is expected to consist of a 120 kW battery unit with a range of 400 miles. We cannot wait to see what BMW has been hiding.
4 GMC Hummer EV
General Motors are ready to play and this time they are preparing to join Tesla, Ford, and Rivian in the playground to prove who has the better electric pickup. GMC has hinted on the possibility of the Hummer EV being slightly costlier than the Tesla Cybertruck and the Rivian R1T.
This truck’s power pack is expected to push 1,000 horsepower and deliver 11,500 lb-ft of torque to the drivetrain. With this power, the Hummer EV is expected to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds. GMC stated that the Hummer EV will be a one-off.
3 Rivian R1T
The Rivian R1T was supposed to be unveiled in late 2020 but due to a few delays, it is expected to debut in 2021. The Rivian R1T will be the first all-electric truck to launch before the Telsa Cybertruck and the Ford F-150, both scheduled for late 2021.
Unlike the Cybertruck, the Rivian R1T has a more conventional and traditional pickup truck look that appeals to more truck drivers. The Rivian R1T features a battery pack that boasts of a 400-mile range and a maximum towing capacity of 11, 0000 lbs. The starting price of the Rivian R1T is $69,000. This price tag has people worried.
2 Tesla Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck is one of the most anticipated 2021 vehicles. The truck's design coupled with the impressive specs comes at a reasonable price. It is thus no surprise that this truck has already been preordered. The cyber truck is going to be available in three options. These include a Single Motor RWD whose battery pack lasts 250 miles, a towing capacity of 7,500 lbs, and a payload capacity of 3,500lbs - all these for $39,900.
The second option is a Dual Motor RWD with a battery pack that lasts 300 miles, has a towing capacity of 10,000lbs, and a maximum payload capacity of 3,500lbs. This trim goes for $49,900. The third trim, which is considered the ultimate trim, is the Tri-Motor AWD whose battery pack lasts you 500 miles before recharge. It has a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 lbs, and a payload capacity of 3,500lbs. This truck goes for $69,900.
1 Mercedes-Benz EQA
Mercedes-Benz has proven that hybrid power works on their performance cars, so why not bring this to their daily drivers. When the Mercedes-Benz EQA’s photos first leaked, we all expected a small hatchback. But it seems like the Mercedes team had a change of mind and decided to go all out and build a huge hatchback. The EQA is rumored to have been built to rival the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Tesla Model Y.
When Mercedes unveiled the car’s specs a few years ago, the chart showed that the Mercedes-Benz EQA would feature a powerful battery pack that had a maximum output of up to 60kWh, which translates to 250 miles. This all-wheel-drive beast is expected to accelerate from 0-60mph in less than 5 seconds.