“2022 is shaping up to be a good time to buy an EV,” says a recent article on CarsDirect.com. “A combination of increased range, lower prices, and more electric car models… make buying or leasing an EV a better choice than in years past.” We couldn’t agree more. We’re genuinely enthused by many of the new EVs that manufacturers have been touting online and at car shows. And not just because they look like the ultra-cool, hyper-sleek transports of the future we dreamed about driving when we were kids. No, we’re also pumped because many models will debut with trailblazing new features that are sure to encourage greater participation in electric mobility, the cornerstone of our mission.
With that, here is a list of the top 10 EVs coming out in 2022 that really have our ions buzzing!
1) Ford F-150 Lightning
“Lightning strikes on April 26th,” said Ford CEO Jim Farley a couple weeks back. That was the date this trendsetting new all-electric pickup started shipping pre-orders. Now, considering it’s the EV version of America’s best-selling truck for 44 years, we expect it will generate a whole new customer base for EVs.
2) Cadillac Lyriq
The automaker’s first-ever EV starts below $60K and features a three-foot monster display console. The brand caters to an older demographic (the average buyer is age 59), which is ideal for broadening the EV market to the ICE generation. Pre-orders start May 19th, with the first model available in summer.
3) Tesla Cybertruck
Elon Musk’s flagship company announced last year it would finally be releasing its electric pickup in late 2022. While issues like accommodating production of the steel exoskeleton have caused delays, Tesla still knows how to spark a frenzy, with a backlog of 1.2 million reservations. That’ll be a lot of new EVs.
4) BMW iX xDrive50
The Ultimate Driving Machine began delivering its luxury crossover in March. Originally the “iNext,” this sports activity model boasts the unique BMW styling and performance its customer base looks for. And with 300 miles of range and 516 hp, it’s sure to convince many brand-loyal drivers to make the switch.
5) Polestar 3
While not as well known as its competitors, the midrange-priced SUV is being built specifically for the US market and features a Volvo-designed aerodynamic shell and lidar technology that will someday enable fully autonomous driving. A focus on safety will appeal to the Volvo XC90 crowd: families with kids.
6) Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5
The German automaker will begin building the 2023 model ID.4 in Chattanooga this year and release a low-cost base model starting at just $35K in order to increase US market saturation. If it’s successful, the ID.5, with its enhanced voice recognition and bi-directional charging, may follow. Fahrvergnügen!
7) Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle
It’s like a kick-ass VW bus from the future, but with a wholly unique design, proprietary technology, and 188 cubic feet of volume for up to seven people. It’s been referred to as a “loft on wheels,” sleeping two comfortably, and is targeted at adventurous types who embrace outdoor recreation and travel.
8) IONIQ5
This stylish but affordable BEV crossover comes in all colors and will be sold in all 50 states, making it highly accessible. It’s the first release under Hyundai’s all-electric IONIQ brand and the first to use the new E-GMP platform, leading the way for others like the Genesis GV60 and Kia EV6 later in the year.
9) GMC Hummer EV Pickup
From inception, Hummer was billed as the cool, gas-guzzling monster for those mucho macho drivers, so the new EV³ˣ version really is a gamechanger, letting that customer base know electric can be cool, too. The first editions will roll out this fall with a price tag of $100K+. Hey, nobody said cool would be cheap.
10) Lotus Eletre
Formerly (and mysteriously) referred to only as the Type 132 SUV, the British carmaker recently shared some details about the Eletre, including an alleged three-second 0-60 time and 373 miles of range. The relevant takeaway here, though, is that even smaller, more exotic companies are pursuing the EV trend.
On Tuesday, October 13th, our co-founder, Ian Vishnevsky, gave an absorbing interview to San Jose-based media platform ETTV America on the EVCS mission and how our recent partnership with Taiwanese software platform Noodoe is helping to advance that mission.
Last week, governor Gavin Newsom made major headlines when he announced through executive order that California will prohibit the sale of new gas-powered cars and trucks starting in 2035 – just 15 years away. Additional regulations will call for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to be carbon-neutral by 2045. For those of us who have been decrying the slow transition from pollutant-emitting internal combustion engines to more efficient ones powered by zero-emission lithium-ion batteries, it was welcomed news.