Over the next few years, we are going to see many more electric vehicles become available on the market. Tesla has been the industry leader to this point and is undoubtedly the original disruptor. Elon Musk’s Tesla brand is the most popular pure electric automaker in the world. Last year we reviewed Tesla's smaller SUV Model Y and loved how unique it is. You can read our review of the Model Y here. In the near future we are going to see traditional brands like Mercedes-Benz come to market with more EV products under their EQ label. Cadillac and Buick have pledged to go 100% electric as well. Auto Consultants has put together a list of four new fully electric brands you might not yet be aware of.
Polestar
Polestar is the creation of Volvo. For years Volvo has been using the Polestar label as their in-house performance brand (like M from BMW or AMG from Mercedes-Benz) and has now decided to use the name to launch a new brand of fully electric vehicles. Building on Volvo's reputation for safety and sensible style, these cars are available for order exclusively online. Polestar has launched two cars so far in the North American market, the Polestar 1, an ultra luxury coupe, limited to 1500 vehicles worldwide and the Polestar 2, an entry level sedan. Later this year, Volvo will be releasing the Polestar 3, their SUV model. As of now, the base front wheel drive Model 2 starts at $53,900 CDN and has an estimated range of 434 km. For an additional $5000, Polestar will add the dual motor giving drivers AWD and a brisk 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds.
Rivian
The pick up truck market is very lucrative and for the most part, has been dominated by Detriots big three. Rivian is looking to take a piece of the market and the R1T offers a host of unique features and powertrain options, available in both a dual or quad configuration. The two front motors produce 415 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque while the rear two motors produce 420 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque, leading to a very quick 0-60 time of only 3.0 seconds. The projected range is between 230 miles with the smallest battery, 314 miles with the medium battery and over 400 miles with the largest battery. The towing capacity is rated at a maximum of 11,000 lb (4,990 kg). Under the pickup bed there is an empty storage cubby that runs the width of the vehicle. This gear tunnel is perfect for storing long sports equipment and can even be ordered with a portable kitchen! Pricing starts at $67,500 USD for the base model pickup. The R1T will be followed up with a full size SUV called the R1S in the near future. We can expect to see Canadian pricing once they launch in November 2022.
Lucid Motors
Lucid Motors is California based electric car manufacturer founded in 2007. Where Rivian has gone after the pickup and SUV market, Lucid is taking aim at competing within the luxury sedan market versus vehicles like the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan. The Lucid Air is their first production model which came to market in 2022. The Air is available with 1000 horsepower, sub 3 second 0-60 time and an estimated range of 500 miles (800km). Lucid has started delivering in Canada and the base model Air starts from $120,000 CAD and the top of the line Air Grand Touring exceeds $200,000.
Vinfast
Vinfast is a new company, headquartered in Singapore and coming from the non-traditionally car producing country of Vietnam. They have enlisted established automakers like BMW and Pininfarina to help with their design. Vinfast has managed to acquire former soccer superstar David Beckham as their brand ambassador. They will be launching their first two vehicles in late 2022, the VF 8 and VF 9. Both are similar SUVs with the VF 8 being a 5-seater and the VF 9 a 7-seater. Vinfast is offering up to 400 horsepower and a maximum estimated range of 594 km and 10 year warranty in Canada The entry level model VF 8 will have a starting price around $52,000 CAD. Vinfast is offering $3500 credit off the price for clients willing to put down a deposit today.
With the market shifting away from messy combustion engines and towards fully electric vehicles. Tesla has done a phenomenal job of taking market share away from the established automakers. Competition makes everyone better and we are excited to see how all these new brands push the industry forward.
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