While the talk of electric vehicles (EVs) may not appeal to every gearhead going, many car manufacturers have started to turn their attention to producing EVs within recent years, with a shift towards producing low-emission cars starting to take place. BMW has recently announced they will be adapting and equipping their German factories solely for the creation of EVs only.
But fear not, whether you loathe or love the sound of EVs (or lack thereof) there have been some pretty awesome electric cars introduced from some of the most sensible EVs you can pick up in 2020 to hypercars and racecars. Some may even appeal to some of the most diehard internal combustion engine (ICE) car enthusiasts.
10 Pininfarina Battista
Pininfarina has been employed by car manufacturers throughout the years to produce some of the most gorgeous automobiles that we have seen. Although, they have now also set their focus to EVs through the production of a ridiculously fast electric hypercar named the Battista. It features a large 120kWh battery, with four-independent motors powering each wheel individually.
The car features 1,900bhp and is apparently capable of 0-60 mph in under 2 seconds. The Ferrari look-alike also features 390mm carbon-ceramic brake discs with 6 pot calipers and a carbon-fiber body. Production has begun this year and 150 cars will be built.
9 Honda E
The design of this quirky-looking hatchback from Honda gives a nod to classic Honda's with a front end and headlight design resembling that of an MK1 Honda Civic. But here the similarities stop as the Honda e features a 35.5 kWh battery, capable for a range of up to 137 miles with the quickest model capable of 0-60 mph in 8 seconds, not bad for a small hatchback.
Purely because of its cool looks, it's one EV that even diehard ICE gearheads will admit is more likable than its competition such as the aging Nissan Leaf and BMW i3. The e also features 17" alloys as well as a tech-laden interior with camera-operated side mirrors.
8 Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Porsche is known to have created some of the best ICE-powered vehicles that we have seen. The first all-electric car produced by Porsche, the Taycan, continues this pattern of quality and performance. The top of the range model the Taycan Turbo S is capable of 0-60mph in a crazy 2.8 seconds and is accompanied by 750bhp, making the Taycan Turbo S quicker than many supercars.
It features a sleek sloping tailgate along with 21" wheels, standard for the Turbo S model. The four-door design gives it that added practicality and everyday usability to it. It's one of the first luxury sports cars out of the big five German car manufacturers to knock on the door to their rivals Tesla and have them worried. And it's certainly not the last.
7 Mini Electric
The popular Mini hardtop has now dipped its toes into the EV market with the Mini Electric. The usual driving excitability and exceptional build quality you expect from a Mini is still there except it's now powered by a 181bhp 32.6 kWh electric motor, capable of 0-60mph in 7.3 seconds. And with a range of up to 145 miles, it's one of the most sensible EVs you can get introduced this year.
A yellow two-tone color scheme and unique four-spoke wheels seem to be the electric branding that Mini has decided to go with, but this configuration is customizable if it is not to your taste.
6 Tesla Model Y
An electric compact crossover utility vehicle, the Model Y sits in between Tesla's Model 3 and Model X based on size. It actually shares up to 75% of its components with the Model 3 but comes with a larger interior and more trunk space as well as being 7" taller than the Model 3. While the Model Y is bigger than its brother, it still shares the crazy performance figures you would expect from a Tesla.
The AWD model features an impressive range of up to 316 miles with a 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds or 3.5 if you opt for the performance AWD model. It also features an automatic liftgate which you could not get in a Model 3.
5 Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Mustang Mach-E's name is a homage to the iconic Mach 1 muscle car introduced by Ford back in 1969. Although, it shares nothing but its galloping emblem and name with its predecessor, being an all-electric crossover. Due to the growing popularity of four-door crossovers, it's no surprise Ford has released one with Mustang branding in an attempt to further sales. Admittedly, it will upset a few purists.
Though it's still deserving of its Mustang badge, with a 0-60 in 3.7 seconds in the range-topping GT model, which puts it up there with its rival the Tesla Model Y. It also comes with a pretty good range of 300 miles.
4 Rivian R1T
The Rivian R1T can do 0-60 in 3 seconds. Pretty crazy for a luxury electric truck from an American automotive company founded only in 2009. It also has a stated 300 mile plus range and Rivian has said to expect a 400 mile range model to be available in January 2022, but that's some way off. It will also feature Driver +, a hands-free driving assistant that is standard on all Rivian cars.
The Rivian is ideal for the outdoor explorer, featuring a copious amount of luggage space including a compartment area the width of the car just before the cabin bed as well as 5 seats and a panoramic roof.
3 Cupra Leon E-Racer
The Seat Cupra Leon e-racer is a highly modified and beefed-up version of the latest road-going MK4 Leon. The race car's electric motor allows it to do 0-60 mph in a staggering 3 seconds with a top speed of 167 mph with its 680 bhp. It can also rev up to a crazy 12,000 revolutions and features a touch screen for the driver to be able to monitor the race car's performance in real-time.
The insane body kit features an enormous rear splitter, a large rear spoiler, and in comparison to the rear of the car, less subtle carbon fiber side skirts along with a sleek front splitter and a race-stance ride height.
2 Polestar 2
The Swedish automotive brand owned by Volvo, Polestar's new 5-door EV features two electric motors with one powering each axle, enabling it to do 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. Considering it is a car that weighs 4,600 Ibs along with a capable range of up to 292 miles, it's pretty good going for the first purely battery EV Polestar have made, already rivaling the bigger car manufacturers.
The Polestar 2 is aesthetically pleasing too with a simplistic sloping rear roof. Similarly, the front and rear of the car are uncluttered without any over-the-top grills, designs or bumpers you may find on other EVs, giving it that Swedish appeal.
1 Volkswagen ID.3
The new Volkswagen (VW) ID.3 will aim to rival the success of the BMW i3, its German hatchback counterpart, when it was first released back in 2013 which continues today to be a popular-selling EV. Essentially an electric Golf, most versions will be able to do 0-60 in 7.3 seconds, great for a five-door family car.
You can also get up to 20" wheels if you want to add a more sporty appeal to it. It also comes with more luggage and rear passenger space than an ICE Golf, and shares the Golf's modern and easy-to-use infotainment system.