Seeing as electric vehicles are more climate-friendly and even cheaper to maintain when compared to traditional cars, you would think it is an idea that every automaker would immediately jump on after it was introduced. However, an increased focus on renewable energy and potentially reducing the impact of transportation on the environment and climate change is just part of the reason why traditional brands are now starting to offer electric vehicles. What's perhaps even more important is the massive untapped market potential for the electric car segment, enough to push even the most skeptical manufacturers such as Ferrari into announcing their own EVs.
However, no matter how widespread the EV phenomenon has become, there are still surprisingly many companies that haven't announced plans of building their own fully-electric cars yet. The reasons for this vary greatly for different markets. For example, n the US, which is the second-largest auto market globally, the biggest challenge is the supply of batteries to adopt electric vehicles. In this list, we'll be taking a look at ten traditional automotive giants that still haven't announced their own EVs and why that's the case.
10 Suzuki
The Japanese firm Suzuki has been in the industry for a long time and is one of the top manufacturers of automobiles. Rated to be the 11th largest automaker in 2016, Suzuki does not yet have an electric vehicle in its line of products, although it already has some hybrid vehicles to offer.
However, we have learned that Suzuki plans to release its first all-electric vehicle in 2025. Suzuki’s first EV will make its debut in India, which is Suzuki’s stronghold, and then it will later be launched in Japan and Europe.
9 Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo is a luxury performance brand from Italy. It has world-class cars such as the Stelvio and the Giulia under its belt, but even with these world-class models, the Italian manufacturer still does not have an electric vehicle to show.
The only information from Alfa Romeo concerning EVs is the concept for the Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), which they showcased at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show. However, they do not have any plans for fully electric vehicles yet.
8 Dodge
Dodge is a Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA) division known for muscle car production with cars such as the Charger and Challenger models under its belt. Although in 2009, the Dodge EV concept car, which was supposed to be an all-electric sports car, was shown to the public at Dodge’s North American International Auto Show, the project was canceled.
They still do not offer an electric vehicle currently, but under their new parent company, Stellantis, all of that could change.
7 Land Rover
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Land Rover, as well as Jaguar are both subsidiaries of Tata Motors. Although the two brands are part of the same parent company, Jaguar already has an electric vehicle called the i-Pace All-Electric Crossover.
Land Rover does not have a fully electric vehicle to its name, although it already offers hybrid cars such as PHEV and MHEV models. However, Land Rover is planning several EVs of its own under its Reimagine strategy. It plans to launch its first EV in 2024 and add five more EVs by 2026.
6 Chrysler
In the United States, Chrysler is one of the “Big Three” manufacturers of automobiles, and it is a family brand involving minivans and sedans. Chrysler does not yet have an electric model.
At one point, it looked like Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA) was about to buy EV tech from Faraday Futures and Seres; they have now merged with Peugeot and are currently under a parent company Stellantis. We would be expecting to see some hybrid vehicles soon from Chrysler due to plans by its new parent company.
5 Lincoln
Lincoln is the luxury car brand of Ford, and in recent years, they have rolled out some high-end models equipped with innovative tech features. Despite all of that, the manufacturers still do not have an EV to offer.
However, they have announced that by 2030 they would have transitioned into an all-electric lineup of luxury vehicles that will be kicked off by an EV SUV debuting in 2022, which will carry the Quiet Flight design language of the brand.
4 Toyota
Toyota was one of the early pioneers in electrification. The Japanese company believed that vehicles with an alternative powertrain could be greatly popular. But since then, Toyota has been left behind in the EV race. However, they have announced a strategy for electric vehicles to see 15 new battery-powered vehicles released by 2025.
Toyota had announced that by 2025, it would release new models, which will include gas-electric hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, and battery electric vehicles. This is to provide diverse choices for its customers.
3 Mazda
It had seemed like Mazda would not break ranks due to its seeming absence from the electric market. However, there is an expectation of the Mazda MX-30 to arrive later this year or in the early parts of 2022. The car will not be on the competitive side in terms of its stats, with a battery estimated to last for only 124 miles.
This is Mazda’s first dive into the EV waters, but they are not prepared to completely commit yet and go fully electric as this is a hybrid with a gas charging engine.
2 Hyundai-Kia
Hyundai had announced that it would invest $7.4 billion in the production of future electric vehicles by 2025 in the United States. However, there has not been any commitment made by the Hyundai Motor Group to go completely electric. In May 2021, they announced a 50 percent cut in the models with internal combustion engines.
Sister company Kia has also promised to roll out seven battery electric vehicles by the end of 2027. They are looking at annual sales of half a million battery cars by 2026.
1 Ram
Ram is the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ truck brand, previously known as Dodge Ram. Although it is owned by the same company that owns Jeep, it does not have an EV to offer.
We expect this to change soon as one of the models currently under production at FCA’s Detroit Tech Center is an all-electric Ram pickup. It is designed to rival the Ford F-150 lightning and the Hummer EV.