Car companies the world over are transitioning to the EV world. Most major car companies are now boasting fully electric vehicles That being said, many of these are not actually yet in production, they soon will be, though, within a year or so. Gone are the days when one could scoff at the dismal ranges and appalling charging wait times of EVs.
Since the lackluster Nissan Leaf debuted a decade or so ago, the EV industry has changed profoundly. The most valuable car company is now Tesla — even though their production has not yet ramped up. In many respects EVs are now outperforming Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs), the acceleration is an example of where EVs are unbeatable. EVs are now set for explosive growth, as most carmakers are planning to be selling only EVs or majority EVs by 2030. Here are the top EVs from each of the major car companies.
10 Tesla Model S Plaid+
The Tesla Model S Plaid+ just might be the best EV out there on the market — at least until Lucid Motors' Lucid Air hits the streets, the Lucid Air didn't make this list, as Lucid Motors is not (yet) a major car company.
The Model S Plaid boasts a range of 415 miles on a charge and a dizzying top speed of an astonishing 200 mph.
9 Mercedes EQS 580 4MATIC
Mercedes is betting heavily on its new Mercedes EQS series and has grand hopes for the brand and is going into production soon. The Mercedes EQS 580 4MATIC is a luxury brand and starts at a hefty $170,000.
This Mercedes boasts a range of 395 miles on a charge and an acceleration to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds (a ways behind the Model S Plaid for sure). It also has a top speed of 130 mph.
8 BMW iX xDrive 50
The BMW iX xDrive 50 is the best EV BMW has to offer at this point in time (or actually later sometime this year). It will be coming with a range of 315 miles and a top speed of 124 mph.
This SUV Crossover is also faster off the mark than the EQS, getting to 62 mph in a more respectable 4.8 seconds. Incidentally, BMW is now one of the few still investing in the next generation of EVs.
7 General Motors Hummer EV
The Hummer will be coming in both a pickup and an SUV option as the Hummer EV. The pickup will be coming with a max range of 350 miles on a charge and accelerates to 60 MPH in just 3.0 seconds flat.
If you are intending to go off-roading, and you want an electric vehicle, then the Hummer EV is the one for you (or the Rivian R1T/R1S which doesn't make this list as it is not a major car company).
6 Porsche Taycan Plus
The Porsche Taycan is among the first sports electric cars. Already, the Taycan is proving one of the most popular in Porsche's lineup. It boasts a range of 285 miles and a top speed of 143 mph together accelerating to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds.
One of these will set you back $110,000. Still, as good a vehicle as this is, if you have the money, buy a Tesla Roadster when it finally arrives — it wins on just about all the specs.
5 Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S
Chastised and repentant, Volkswagen reeling from its hugely damaging emissions cheating scandal is also entering the fray with its ID.3 Pro S. It comes with a top speed of 99 mph and a range of 280 miles.
Relatively more affordable than the other others listed so far, the ID.3 Pro S starts at $51,000 and provides respectable specs. Volkswagen announced it was abandoning all future ICE development this year as it focuses now solely on producing EVs.
4 Nissan Ariya 87kWh
The first Japanese car company to make this list and finally, Nissan is gracing us with more than its Nissan Leaf. The Ariya is coming with a range of 275 miles and a top speed of 99 mph.
Still, a little pricey, the Ariya 87kWh will be starting at $61,000 and will be another option for those looking for an electric SUV crossover. Nissan will need more EVs if it wants to sell in the European market.
3 Ford Mustang Mach-E ER RWD
Ford is endeavoring to enter into the EV market with one of its most beloved and popular nameplates — the Mustang. Whether or not the electric crossover Mustang Mach-E is deserving of the nameplate or not is up for discussion.
Still, the Mustang Mach-E is promising to be a great vehicle and is coming with a range of 270 miles and a top speed of 112 mph. An electric F-150 is set to follow in a year.
2 Audi E-Tron GT Quattro
Audi is wading into the electric market with its all-new e-tron series. The Audi e-tron GT Quattro will be coming with a range of 260 miles on a single charge and a top speed of 152 mph — much better than the Ford Mustang EV.
None of these are cheap, however. They will be starting at a pricey $122,000. Audi was planning to invest in ICEs last year, but this year they have dropped all investment.
1 Skoda Enyaq iV 80
Finally, on this list, we have the Czech carmaker, Skoda with their Enyaq iV 80. This SUV crossover is also standard and respectable, with its 260 miles of range and its top speed of 99 mph — well suited to its home in Europe.
It is also one of the more affordable vehicles on this list with a starting price tag of around $51,000. Skoda is a very popular brand over in Europe, but much less so in North America.
In summary, the car market is changing and now carmakers around the world are actually offering electric vehicles you may be actually tempted to buy.