While Tesla has a significant lead in the market over other automakers, many are catching up. Legacy manufacturers like Nissan, Ford, and Porsche now offer exciting new EVs, and new companies like Lucid and Rivian are also coming in with solid competitors.
So, for the year 2022, what EV models are we expecting to launch?
1. GMC Hummer EV3x Pickup
Starting Price: $100,000
This vehicle is a mid-tier pickup version of the much-awaited GMC Hummer EV. While the top-end Edition 1 has already launched and sold out last year at $112,000, this more affordable version will allow more buyers to get the much-acclaimed EV.
What makes this vehicle exciting is the features users expect to find. First off, this pickup is powered by three motors in an all-wheel-drive configuration. With over 800 hp, this helps propel the truck to 100 mph in about 3 seconds. Buyers also get the Crab Walk feature, which lets it move sideways or diagonally.
The GMC Hummer EV3x pickup is the successor to the Hummer series of trucks. While the old trucks were often ridiculed for their inefficiency, immense size, and less than stellar build quality, the new Hummer EV line aims to redeem the name by providing a luxury, zero-emission vehicle.
2. BMW i4
Starting Price: $56,000
The BMW i4 is the electrified version of the much-loved BMW 3 series. It comes in two models—the standard eDrive40, which features a rear-wheel-drive, 335 hp motor, and a 301-mile range; and the M-series equivalent M50, which has an all-wheel-drive, 536 hp dual motor setup with 270 miles range.
Many BMW fans who are also into electric vehicles would love this offering from Munich, especially considering this is based on one of their most popular models. The car also has several features that you can find in the latest models of the M3 and M4, so people who already have these models would feel right at home.
More than that, the base model eDrive40 isn’t far from the price of the top-end M340i, while the M50 is more affordable than the M3. Given the range, power, and price details of the BMW i4, they’re a good match for BMW owners who want to transition to electric power.
3. Ford F-150 Lightning
Starting Price: $40,000
Ford F-150 has been America’s best-selling car for over thirty years. That’s why it just makes sense for them to offer it as an electrified version. After all, if they can sell over 600,000 F-150 trucks in 2021, then maybe they can transfer some of this success to the Lightning model.
Although the top variant Platinum is considerably more expensive than the Limited, at around $15,000 more, the base-model Pro is just $2,000 more than XL. This makes the entry-level electric version a compelling choice for professionals and workers.
After all, not only do they save on fuel, but they also get extra storage in the trunk. However, its standard range is only 230 miles, smaller than the estimated 416 miles you get from the gasoline-powered variant. You can opt for the extended range option, which brings you a 300-mile range, but that adds a substantial amount over sticker price and isn’t available in the base model.
Nevertheless, if you usually use the truck to travel within the city and find yourself at home every night, range won’t be an issue. After all, most people buy pickup trucks primarily for hauling, which the added funk space will give you. That’s why the Ford F-150 Lightning is expected to be a hit like its gasoline-powered brethren.
4. Toyota bZ4X
Starting Price: $40,000
Toyota made the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle in 1997 with the Toyota Prius. However, they still haven’t made a fully-electric car after more than twenty years. But that will change this year with the release of the bZ4X.
This crossover is slated for release by summer, with options for a single-motor front-wheel-drive or dual-motor all-wheel-drive versions. While it has an expected range of 250 miles, it doesn’t offer the sub-three-second 0 to 60 mph acceleration of other EVs. Instead, owners will get a more leisurely 8.4 seconds 0 to 60 rating.
While some would say there’s nothing exciting with Toyota’s new offering, they might be more interested in this because of Toyota’s stellar reputation in reliability. The company claims that their battery will retain a 90% charge capacity at up to 10 years, and there might even be optional rooftop solar panels to help recharge the vehicle while parked. Those on the fence about buying an EV because of battery life and reliability concerns might finally get one with the bZ4X. After all, it’s a Toyota.
5. Nissan Ariya
Starting Price: $46,000
While the Nissan Leaf has been in the market for over ten years now, Nissan hasn’t released any other electric model to the market. That changed with the arrival of the Nissan Ariya. This electric crossover is expected to arrive in late 2022 and challenges the Tesla Model Y and Volvo XC40 Recharge.
You can pick between a single-motor front-wheel-drive model or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive option. It also offers 300 miles in range, making it competitive against the Tesla Model Y. Like the other economy EVs in this list, the Ariya doesn’t boast impressive 0 to 60 times and top speeds. In fact, the base model variant takes 7.6 seconds to get to 60 mph, while the top variant needs 5.1 seconds to hit that speed.
Nevertheless, Nissan boasts that their latest EV conforms to the Combined Charging Standard fast charging, allowing you to get 125 miles range in just 15 minutes of charging. Also, all models come with ProPILOT Assist, allowing you to have semi-autonomous driving.
This is one of the ten new models the company plans to launch from 2022 through 2023. And with the increasing interest and competition in the EV space, it’s just right that it gets a foothold in the electric crossover space with the Ariya.
The Year of the Electric Car
While successful mass-produced fully electric cars have been around since 2010, this is the year where many new electric models are expected to launch in a year. And they’re not only coming from new companies like Tesla, Rivian, or Lucid—even major manufacturers like Toyota and GMC are finally getting into the game.
Electric cars are indeed the future of the motoring industry. Some people say it’s not 100% zero-emission, as producing them isn’t carbon neutral. However, the fact that we’re rapidly reducing carbon dioxide production on our roads is a big step towards reducing our carbon footprint. Let’s just hope that this effort is not too little, too late for our future generations.
