Tag: green cars

By Michele Spencer

CHEVY BOLT EV

2017 Ioniq Electric Blue Metallic test vehicle, shown in Limited Trim.

EV market notes:  Studies show that potential buyers are still turned off to EVs and Hybrids.  Lack of options, high prices, limited range, and perceptions about limited charging station infrastructure are real issues for the industry to overcome in order to gain acceptance and market share.  Federal rebates ($7500) are still in play.  CA rebates ($2500) are in danger of going away if the Legislature does not act to save them, but for the moment, they remain available. Manufacturers are not penetrating the market: Less than 1% of car sales are electric vehicles nationwide. Foreign governments are doing a lot more to encourage electric, especially China,  which has a mandate that by 2020, 8 percent of all new vehicles sold must be electric and is currently prohibiting travel in certain cities unless the vehicle is an EV.  Norway is going all EV by 2025, France and the UK by 2040, and along with that, these countries will be prohibiting sales of new combustion engine vehicles. Japan’s government is embracing hydrogen as its power of choice for automobiles and already has extensive infrastructure for fuel cell vehicles. The movement towards zero emissions standards in China in particular is credited for motivating the manufacturers so they can capture that market and not get left behind.

Federal Rebate News:  The $7500 rebate for electric vehicles will start phasing out for Tesla buyers ONLY at the end of 2018 because the company has delivered its 200,000th vehicle in the US.  (Tesla is the first automaker to meet this landmark.) After December 31, the Federal rebate will be $3,750 for Tesla deliveries between January and July 2019, and half that for deliveries between July and December 2019.  Tesla buyers will no longer get any Federal rebates after December 31, 2019.  Chevrolet is close behind Tesla in EV sales. It will meet the 200,000 sale landmark in 2019.

This is my list of currently-available EVs, anticipated EVs to be sold, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, currently-available hybrids, and anticipated hybrids, for sale in the US, with notes from press releases and news sources.  Prices are MSRPs.

Pure Electric vehicles (EVs) Currently Available

• Audi A3 e-tron (hatchback) from $38,900
• BMW i3 (crossover) – from $44,450
•  BMW plans to launch 25 electrified vehicles by 2025, including 12 that are fully electric.
• BMW i8 (sportscar) – from $143,000
• Chevy Bolt EV (hatchback) – from $37,495. 238 mile range, Motor Trend Car of the Year 2017
• Fiat 500e (subcompact) – from $32,995. 84 mile range.
• Ford Focus EV (hatchback) – from $29,120. 115 mile range.
• Honda Clarity EV (sedan) – 89 mile range, Lease only available, $199/month.
• Hyundai Ioniq (sedan) – Base trim from $29,500; Limited trim from $32,500) – Now has 124 mile range for 2018 model year. Available only to California residents.
• Kia Soul EV (crossover) – from $33,950. 111 mile range.
• Mercedes Benz – B Class ED (sedan) – from $39,900. 87 mile range.
• Mitsubishi IMIev (crossover) – from $22,995
• Nissan Leaf (hatchback) – Nissan had to put out a new model to catch up to the others on range. The 2016 model had only 106 mile range. For 2018, the second generation Leaf has 150 mile range. From $29,900.  An “e plus” Leaf will be introduced in 2019, which will have 225 mile range.
• Smart ForTwo (subcompact) – from $23,800.  58 mile range. Parent company Daimler AG announced closing of 2/3 of the US Smart car dealerships (Automotive News). Only 27 dealers in the US will be selling these by 2018. Penske Automotive Group will continue to sell them in San Diego.  All will be EV. Gas models will be dropped from production in 2017, but may still be in stock at dealerships.
• Tesla Model S (luxury sedan) – from $74,500. 259 mile range “and up.”
• Tesla Model 3 (sedan) – from $49,000, 310 mile range.
• Tesla Model X (luxury SUV) – from 79,500, 237 mile range.
• Volkswagen e-Golf (hatchback) – from $30,345, 125 mile range.

Grapes and Green.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Currently Available

• Honda Clarity (sedan) – Lease only, from $59K. Launched 2016
• Hyundai Tuscon ix35 FCEV (SUV) – from $50,875. Launched 2013
• Toyota Mirai (compact) – from $57,500.  Launched 2014

EVs Not Yet Available + Projected Production Year  + Notes

• Audi e-tron (midsize luxury crossover) available 2019.  Will have 311 mile range. A sportback will be launched later in 2019 (fastback that will sit lower than an SUV but offers a more elevated seating position than a standard hatchback.)  Audi’s third EV will be a compact, based on VW Group’s new MEF platform for EVs.  It will debut in 2020, after VW debuts its ID compact hatchback.
• Aston Martin  Rapid E – 2019. Will transition entire lineup to all EV and hybrid by 2030.
• BMW “iVision Dynamics” (coupe style sedan) – Concept revealed at 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show.  Production version slated for launch in 2021.
• Bollinger Motors B1 (all wheel drive 4×4) – Hopes to start production in 2019. 10,000 people are claimed to be on the waiting list.  Pricing to be announced.
• Byton (Crossover SUV) – Concept revealed at Consumer Electronics Show in January 2018. Will initially be sold only in China. U.S. sales “to begin later.”  Reservations are being taken.  Pricing:  Starts at $45K. Entry trim level will have 250 mile range; upper trim level will have 325 mile range.
• Detroit Electric Motors – To be announced
• Dyson – 2019 target for launch of its first EV, from the vacuum company.
• Faraday Future FF 91 (luxury SUV) Release date is unknown – Scrapped its plans to build North Las Vegas factory, instead is refurbishing a former Pirelli tire factory near Silicon Valley; many rumors of financial issues with its Chinese investor.
• Fisker Inc. EMotion (sport sedan) – 2020 – 400 mile range, can charge in 9 minutes
• Ford “Model E” (crossover) – 2019 – 300 mile range.
• Genesis “premium long distance” sedan – 2021 – 310 mile range
• Honda “Urban” EV (concept) Revealed at 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show – Production will be for Europe only. Looks like a 1^st gen Civic meets Mini Cooper; tiny, with retro styling.
• Hybrid Kinetic Group H600 (luxury sedan) – Chinese startup, plans to launch H600 in US in 2019-2020.  Designed by Pininfarina.  804 HP.
• Hyundai Kona (small SUV) – second half 2018 – 242 mile range
• Jaguar I-Pace (5 seat crossover)  – Jaguar’s first fully electric/battery powered vehicle, 2019 model year. Built on a unique aluminum-intensive platform by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. 240 mile range. 400 HP from twin electric motors. Jaguar/Land Rover says it will go all EV and hybrid by 2020.  Price range $70,495 to $86,895.
• Kia Niro EV –  Concept revealed at the 2018 Consumer Electrics Show in Las Vegas; will likely be the first of 16 advanced powertrain vehicles Kia aims to introduce by 2025. Plans include a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle also.
• Lucid Air (luxury sedan) – Release date unknown – Production starting in the 2020s. 200 mph, luxury interior.  Its plan to build a $7 million factory in Casa Grande, AZ has been on hold pending financing.
• Mazda – Recently announced a platform partnership with Toyota to produce its first EV.  It will come out with a “pure EV in 2019” but did not say what model or type of vehicle.  Will come out with a plug in hybrid after that.
• Mercedes – Parent company Daimler says it will bring 10 new EVs to market by 2022; it is expected that some or all will be under the subbrand named “EQ.” The first vehicle released will be the EQC (compact crossover) in 2019, with 300 miles of range claimed.
• Mini E – Due in late  2019 – No details released.  BMW announced in July 2018 that it signed a deal to make EV Minis in China in a partnership with Great Wall Motor Co. No dates for groundbreaking or production released.
• Morgan EV3  (3 wheel roadster) – EV version of the Morgan 3.  120 mile range. 56 HP. Production to begin late 2018.
• NIO ES8 (luxury SUV) – Chinese startup revealed concept in 2017; first deliveries expected in US in 2020.  “Tesla-type vehicle for China” that seats 7.  Sold only in China for now. “Our goal is to built a robot that looks like a car.”  Will have swappable batteries to help combat charging station anxiety.
• Pagani – EV coming. details TBA.
• Porsche Taycan (formerly “Mission E”)- (sporty 4 door coupe) – Looks like cross of a Panamera and 911.  Available in late 2019 – early 2020. 310 mile range is goal.  Price is $85K. No final specs. Goal to charge 80% in 15 minutes; 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds; top speed 155+.  Three AWD models to be produced with HP of 402, 536, and 670. No hybrid 911 coming – Porsche killed the project because of battery size issues; may be resurrected if they can engineer a lighter battery.  Porsche says it will add PHEVs and electric variants to its lineup.
• Renault Zoe EV – Available late 2018 – early 2019.
• SF Motors – To be announced
• Subaru – Crosstrek PHEW (small crossover SUV), production 2019, followed by a full EV (unnamed model) in 2021.  Subaru has joined the EV Common Architecture Spirit Co. formed in September 2017 with Mazda, supplier Denso, minicar specialist Daihatsu, and truck manufacturer Hino to develop its EVs.
• Tesla Long Haul Semi Truck – Prototype unveiled November 26.  “In a couple years” is the production goal.  Will have 200-300 mile range. Will be testing in Nevada, which allows robo-truck prototype testing.  $15k deposit.
• Tesla Model Y (small crossover) – Production to begin in 2019 at factory yet to be built in China.
• Tesla “Roadster” (four place convertible) – Production slated for 2020.  Will cost $200k.  $50k deposit.
• Tesla Pickup Truck – Production will begin after the Model Y at factory in China.
• Volkswagen – ID Buzz (microbus) – Range of 270 expected. 2022 is target.
• Volkswagen –  ID Crozz (crossover) – 2022 – 302 HP, 311 mile range.
• Volkswagen -ID platform Beetle (four door coupe or convertible – not a typo re the number of doors BTW) – Available at the earliest in 2020, but probably later than that in reality.  No details on range or pricing.
• Volvo – All models will be EVs or hybrids by 2019.  It has plans to introduce three EVs between 2019 and 2021.  Its Polestar subbrand will release two EVs between 2019 and 2021.  The Polestar vehicles are expected to be similar to BMW’s M and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG badges.

Alliance 2022 – Collaboration between Renault, Nissan & Mitsubishi plans to roll out 12 EVs. “With the emissions rules coming in, it’s the end of gas” per Carlos Ghosn, CEO of the Alliance. EVs are the future not because of consumer demand, but due to regulations on emissions.  By 2040 we will be done with diesel and gasoline car sales.  Common platforms (4) will be used; no details on any concepts.

Hybrids Currently Available

• Audi A3 e-tron (hatchback) – Plug-in hybrid. From $40,475. 16 electric mile range, 400 total range.
• Chevy Volt (hatchback) – Plug-in hybrid. From $33,220. 53 electric mile range, 420 miles total.
• BMW i3 REX (crossover) – Plug-in hybrid. From $48,300 – 97 electric miles, 180 total range
• BMW i8 (sportscar) – Plug-in hybrid. From $147,500 – 15 electric miles, 330 total range.
• BMW 330e (sporty sedan) – Plug-in hybrid. From 44,100. 14 electric range, 350 total.
• BMW 530e (luxury sedan) – Plug-in hybrid. From $52,400. 16 mile range electric, 370 total range.
• BMW 740e (luxury sedan) – Plug-in hybrid. From 90,700. 14 electric miles, 340 total.
• Cadillac CT6 (sedan) – Plug-in hybrid.  From $75,095. 31 electric miles, 440 total
• Chrysler Pacifica (van) – Hybrid and Plug-In hybrid versions. From $39,995.  84 mpge and 566 total range.
• Fiat 500e (subcompact) – From $32,995. 84 mile range.
• Ford C-Max Energi (hatchback) – Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions.  From $32,950.  22 mile electric range, 500 total range.
• Ford Fusion Energi (sedan) – Plug-in hybrid.  From $33,400. 21 electric mile range, 610 total range.
• Honda Accord Hybrid (midsize sedan) – from $29,605
• Honda Clarity Plug-in hybrid (midsize sedan) – from $34,400.  21 electric mile range, 610 total range.
• Honda Civic hybrid (compact sedan) – from about $27,000
• Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid (sedan) – Blue (base trim) from $23,035; SEL trim from $24,950.  29 electric miles, 630 total range
• Hyundai Sonata (midsize sedan) – Plug-in hybrid. From $34,600. 27 electric miles range, 590 total.
• Karma Revero hybrid (four door sports sedan) – 51 mpge, 300 total range, 403 HP, 21 kwh battery capacity. From $130,000.
• Kia Niro hybrid (compact crossover) – from $23,240.
• Kia Niro (compact crossover) – Plug-in hybrid. From $22,900. 26 electric mile range, 560 total miles.
• Kia Optima Hybrid (midsize sedan) – from $25,995.  Plug-in hybrid from $35,210. 29 electric mile range, 610 total
• Mercedes-Benz C 350e (small luxury sedan) – Plug-in hybrid. From $46,400
• Mercedes-Benz S 550e (full size luxury sedan) – Plug-in hybrid. From $96,600. 14 electric miles, 450 total range.
• Mercedes-Benz GLE 550e (large SUV) – Plug-in hybrid. From 65,550. 12 electric mile range, 460 total range.
• Mini Cooper SE Countryman All4 Plug-In hybrid (hatchback) – from $37,650 – Only 12 miles of electric range.
• Mitsubishi Outlander (SUV) – Plug-in hybrid – from $34,595. 22 miles electric range, 310 total range.
• Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid (SUV) – Plug-In hybrid.  From $79,900. 14 electric mile range, 480 total range.
• Porsche 918 Spyder (sports car) – Plug-in hybrid. From $847,000.
• Porsche Panamera 4-E Hybrid (sports sedan) – Plug-in hybrid. From $99,600. 16 electric mile range, 560 total.
• Toyota Prius Two Eco (sedan) – Base model from $26,050 and Prius Prime – Base model from $27,100.  25 mile electric range, 615 total range.
• Toyota RAV-4 Hybrid (crossover) – 194 HP.  3 trim levels.  Base model from $27,235.
• Volvo XC60 T8 (SUV) – Plug-in hybrid. From $52,900. 18 electric mile range, 370 total range.
• Volvo S90 T8 (sedan) – Plug-in hybrid. From 63,650. 21 electric mile range, 410 total.
• Volvo XC90 T8 (large luxury SUV) – Plug-in hybrid. From $64,950. 19 electric mile range, 380 total.

Hybrids Not Yet Available

• Bentley Bentayga Plug-In Hybrid (ultraluxury crossover) – Second half of 2018. Bentley plans to introduce plug-in hybrid versions of all models.
• Bentley Continental GT Plug-In Hybrid – After debut of Bentayga.
• Bentley Flying Spur and Mulsanne (sedans) – Unknown debut date, after GT.
• BMW i-8 Spyder hybrid (roadster) – On sale in 2018 for the 2019 model year.  BMW not releasing any details. Expected to come out with a fully electric version in 2022.
• Ford Expedition – Late 2019
• Ford F-150 – 2020
• Ford Mustang – 2020
• Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid – 2019
• Honda CR-V Hybrid (crossover) –  prototype at 2017 Shanghai Auto Show.
• Honda Insight (compact to mid-size sedan) – 2019
• Infiniti Emerg-E – concept revealed in 2012, no announcement on final design, production date, or range/mpge.
• Jaguar F-Type (sport sedan) – The F Type will have “an electrified powertrain,” no details announced.  Available approximately 2020.
• Lamborghini Urus (sports car) Plug-In Hybrid – Available 2019.
• Lexus 500h Hybrid – 2018
• Lincoln MKC Plug-in Hybrid (SUV) – 2019.
• Mazda Plug-in Hybrid – After 2019.
• Mercedes CLS Hybrid (four door coupe) – Debuted at 2017 LA Auto Show. Expected to be available in 2018.
• Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid – From $185,450.  Available early 2018.
• Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-in Hybrid (midsize luxury SUV) – Late 2017 or early 2018. Debut at OC International Auto Show (9/2017) 400 HP.  From $52,900.
• Volvo S 90 Plug-in Hybrid (sedan) – Available 2018.

Updated 8/12/2018   

For additional information on the low emission vehicles listed, we recommend https://www.greencarreports.com/ 

For additional information on “green” vehicle ownership, we recommend pluginamerica.org.

Updated 1/1/2019

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