Even back in the 20th century, a lot of people were experimenting with electric cars. The technology wasn't as advanced as it is today, but even then, there were more than a few predictions that cars in the future will be electric.
That future seems to be here, and one brand that sped up the electric revolution is Tesla. When they debuted the Model S in 2012, they solved two major problems with electric cars up until that point; range and speed. Even though a Tesla is a sound electric car purchase, there are some pretty good alternatives.
10 Audi e-tron GT
It has been teased and talked about for years, but the Audi e-tron GT is finally here. It's the brand's second EV, after the confusingly named SUV, the e-tron. The new GT is a stunning-looking car, and it rides on the same J1 architecture that underpins the Taycan.
While some resemblance to the Taycan can be seen, the Audi is more recognizably... well, Audi. The e-tron GT is a gorgeous car, with great tech and some serious performance credentials; the RS version has 637 HP. The e-tron GT also offers up to 300 miles of range, and while the price is a little steep, it's definitely worth it.
9 Lucid Air
Much like the e-tron GT, the Lucid Air was first shown in prototype form a few years ago, and it was teased and talked about for a while. Unlike some EV manufacturers that made big promises and eventually went under before starting production on anything, the Lucid Air will hit dealerships very soon.
The Air is a luxury sedan, designed to compete with cars like the Porsche Taycan and, of course its archnemesis, the Tesla Model S. While no one has road-tested a production model yet, the stats are seriously impressive; up to 517 miles of range, up to 1080 HP, and a true luxury car interior and exterior. It has serious potential of being a game-changer.
8 Ford Mustang Mach E
Car enthusiasts all produced a unified outcry when Ford announced that the iconic Mustang badge would eventually be applied to an electric crossover. Some even thought it was a joke, but the Mustang Mach E is definitely no laughing matter.
The Mach E does have a few characteristic Mustang traits on the outside, but it's a crossover in its own right. The tech is also impressive, and it includes stuff like replacing the key with a smartphone app, just like Tesla. Ford's BlueCruise autonomous highway driving system will also be released in an OTA update, and the upcoming GT version has 480 HP and e-AWD.
7 Škoda Enyaq iV
Though it originally started with the compact ID.3, VW's new MEB platform is about to become the backbone for a huge catalog of cars. In fact, one could argue that it already is, as it currently carries several different models, including the Škoda Enyaq iV.
The Enyaq is a fully electric SUV that rides on the MEB platform, alongside the VW ID.4, the Audi Q4 e-tron, and the upcoming Cupra Tavascan. The Škoda is the simplest looking one of all, and it offers the same tech and same motor and battery combinations at a better price, not to mention the signature Škoda Simply Clever features. Obviously, it's not sold in North America, but considering how fierce the competition is, the Enyaq might do quite well.
6 Peugeot e-2008
Peugeot made some truly great cars during the 60s and 70s, and they all peaked in the 1980s. They were pretty reliable, dependable, good to drive, and well-styled. Things somewhat went downhill by the 90s and 2000s, to say the least. But, in 2021, Peugeot is absolutely on fire.
One of their most compelling new offerings is the domestic-shaming e-2008. It's a subcompact SUV with some very cool, modern styling and a great interior. The e-2008 looks just like the ICE-powered model on the outside, which could be a positive for a lot of buyers. A front-mounted motor with 136 HP and a 45 kWh battery pack gives 193 miles of range and a respectable 0-60 in 8.5 seconds.
5 Volkswagen ID.4
Following a certain scandal that you may have heard of, Volkswagen is diving headfirst into the electric car game, and aims to lead the way with EVs in a few years' time, even ahead of Tesla. Their first EV offering to enter the North American market is the ID.4.
Volkswagen is pitching this crossover as a stepping stone from a gasoline-powered crossover to an electric one. The styling is funky but not too funky, unusual for a VW (mostly). It has decent range, decent interior room, and good tech, and crucially, it's very well priced.
4 Jaguar I-Pace
Now that Jaguar is planning to reinvent itself as a full EV manufacturer, we can expect the I-Pace to remain a permanent part of the lineup. Revealed back in 2017, this crossover looks surprisingly good, and it was seen as one of the most important EV launches of that year.
The I-Pace offers up to 292 miles of range, which is a pretty healthy number. The styling is a perfect marriage of futuristic and cool, but also inoffensive and keeping it safe. The tech is pretty good, the space inside is excellent, and the luxury features are aplenty. Plus, there's just something about that Jaguar badge.
3 GMC Hummer EV
Although the Cybertruck hasn't gone on sale yet, we all know that it wasn't exactly well-received by just about anyone who saw it. Thankfully, GMC, by way of reviving the Hummer name, has a very compelling alternative; the Hummer EV.
This offroader pickup will be available both as a pickup and as an SUV in a few years' time, and on paper, it looks amazing. The top of the line version has 1,000 HP (835 in the SUV), and 35" tires come as standard. There's also stuff like Crabwalk, Watts to Freedom launch control, and General Motors' seriously impressive and seriously effective Super Cruise self-driving system.
2 Cadillac Lyriq
There is a huge EV revolution going on at General Motors right now, and Cadillac seems to be leading the way. The recently revealed Lyriq is the first EV from the brand, and after their current ICE-powered cars bow out, it's only electricity from that point forwards.
The Lyriq is a good-looking crossover, and it definitely earns the title of the most faithful-to-a-concept car production vehicle in history. It'll hit the road in 2022 as a 2023 model, using GM's BEV3 platform and Ultium battery tech. The base Lyriq with a single motor at the rear will offer 340 HP, and all the tech you could think of, including Super Cruise.
1 Polestar 2
Some time ago, Polestar was Volvo's performance car, primarily known for fast wagons and sedans painted in a distinctive bright blue. These days, Polestar has been spun off into an EV brand, with the exception of the Polestar 1, which was a plug-in hybrid.
The Polestar 2 is their first true electric car, and it's been making the rounds on the internet ever since its reveal. Even though it's a typical sedan, it rides a lot higher, and Volvo/Polestar's simplistic design language and aesthetic works really well here. The Long Range 2 has around 320 miles of range, with a great price and some of the best and most intuitive tech in the industry, and it's pretty great to drive too.