The original 2012 Fisker Karma PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) was based on a design created out of love by Henrik Fisker, but the end result was nigh disastrous. For $110K you got a problematic 2L GM Eco-Tech 4-cylinder engine that required premium fuel, and a tiny 20 kWh battery that combined to produce 403 total horses. Performance results were an underwhelming 5.4 second 0-60 mph jaunt, a meager 240-mile total range, and a 33-mile all-electric range.

The car suffered from a myriad of problems, but the worst was an oft defective battery that quickly bankrupted both Fisker and their battery supplier, A123 Systems. Chinese conglomerate Wanxiang bought the designs and surplus, then renamed the company Karma. Despite a re-launch as the Karma Revero in 2017, it remained a very flawed car until 2020. The new Revero now features the same engine as the BMW i8, new rear electric motors, and a 28 kWh battery. Performance benchmarks like acceleration, handling, and steering are vastly improved as is the quality of the interior, but if they were going to replace practically every component anyway, why not just make it a BEV (battery electric vehicle), especially considering the now $135K price tag matches the best-selling BMW i8?

PHEVs are generally considered transition vehicles toward an eventual all BEV future. Here's why Karma should have embraced the future and made their uber-expensive Revero a BEV in 2020. 

BEV VS PHEV

2020 Karma Revero GT
via: duPontREGISTRY

With the exception of Karma, PHEVs are usually less expensive to buy and depreciate slower than BEV's because it's much cheaper to repair and replace engine parts than a huge battery. There are stories abound online of Tesla replacement batteries costing as much as $18K with parts and labor. Most plug-ins also have a longer total range between refueling than BEVs, thanks to the small engine recharging the battery when depleted.

Conversely, BEVs are far superior because they don't have an engine at all. No carbon-based fuel is needed which means maintenance costs are much cheaper over time and you leave a smaller footprint on the environment. No engine means room for bigger batteries resulting in much farther electric-only driving ranges, and more interior space for passengers. The EPA rated the Revero as a subcompact because of its cramped interior. Ironically BEV batteries actually take approximately the same amount of time to charge as PHEVs, as larger batteries have faster-charging capabilities.

One negative talking point against BEVs has been the lack of charging stations, however the charging infrastructure has grown exponentially in the past three years with a huge number of new ones on the way. Combine that with the fact that BEVs qualify for higher federal and state government incentives, why would Karma not make the switch?

Related: The True Cost Of Owning A Tesla Model X

Performance

Karma Revero GTE
via: CarBuzz

The $135K 2020 Revero GT is RWD sports an impressive 536 hp and 550 lb-ft, and an e-limited top speed of 125 mph and a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds. It offers 61 miles of all-electric driving and a decent EPA rated 330 miles combined range, though Karma claims the number is 360 miles.

Karma's chief CTO Bob Kruse stated that “Karma considers the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid to be its most accurate benchmark”. According to Porsche, the AWD 2020 4S E-Hybrid Panamera costs $115K, features a bi-turbo V6 with 552 combined hp, and 553 lb-ft of torque, a 172 mph top speed, a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds, and 46 miles of all-electric driving. For $20K less, the 'benchmark' Porsche delivers better acceleration and more interior space while managing to weigh less overall, despite having a much bigger engine and AWD.

For the best BEV comparison, the AWD Tesla Model S Long Range Plus costs $80K, has 534 hp, 557 lb-ft, and does 0-60 in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph. It has a 391-mile total range before needing to recharge.

Related: Porsche Updates Panamera With New Flagship, Hybrid Version

Karma Actually Is Developing BEV Models

Karma SC2 Concept Lambo Doors
via: CarBuzz

Despite rumors of Karma filing Chapter 11 again, plus news of layoffs and several important executives leaving the company, Karma is apparently actively moving forward with their new scalable E-Flex platform. They intend to begin production of the SC2 supercar concept (above), and testing has already begun with the aim of achieving 1,100 hp and 10,500 lb-ft of torque. The BEV supercar will feature an electric motor at each wheel, a flat-floor 120 kWh battery providing up to 400 miles range under normal driving conditions, and nearly 50/50 weight distribution.

Related: Karma Automotive Unveils E-Flex Electric Supercar Platform

Perhaps the most interesting news out of Karma is the testing of the Revero GTE which, as you probably guessed, is an all-electric Revero GT. It's rumored to have a launch date in 2021, and apparently will feature two new proprietary nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion batteries. The first is a 75 kWh version delivering a range of 200 miles and the better option will be 100 kWh offering a 300-mile range. Also in development is a Tesla-beating 400 mile "hyper-range" version, likely 140 kWh. Karma aims for a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds with electronic torque vectoring. As of yet, there's no news of plans to drop the PHEV version from their line-up, so apparently Karma wants to provide both the transition vehicle and the future BEV solution for all your driving needs.

Next: 10 Reasons Why EVs Will Replace The Internal Combustion Engine