Over the years, the automotive industry has evolved, where now a growing number of new cars are rolling off the production line as an electric vehicle (EV); there are even a few popular petrol and diesel models being converted by automakers into fully electric cars, too.
Their rise in popularity comes from increased pressure on automakers to produce more efficient, eco-friendly vehicles that emit less-to-no carbon dioxide. Governments across the world have also been under tough scrutiny, whereby via the Paris Agreement, countries have an obligation to limit the rise of global warming. As such, grants have been set up to help automakers, businesses and consumers shift toward a greener future.
Naturally, the sharp increase in demand and supply has nudged automakers from across the globe to innovate new vehicles. In this article, we’ll look at the best upcoming all-electric cars and SUVs in 2021 and beyond. To make it easier, we’ve listed every manufacturer in alphabetical order – from Audi [#1] to Volkswagen [#15].
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1. Best upcoming Audi
Audi AI:ME release date: Undisclosed
Audi AI:ME price: Undisclosed
Revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2020, Audi’s all-electric AI:ME is rather unique, in that, it empathises with passengers. Through an array of sensors, the vehicle will detect a passenger’s mood and tailor the driving experience on what it detects to be the person’s mood. It’s a rather different take on a vehicle, but is a sign of what could be in upcoming EVs. At the time of writing, there’s no confirmed release date or price.
2. Best upcoming Byton
Byton M-Byte release date: Late 2021
Byton M-Byte price: £45,000
The Byton M-Byte is a Chinese-built electric SUV that came out in the US in 2020 and is set to hit Europe in late 2021. The vehicle will be available in two configurations: a cheaper single-motor version that’ll output 200 kW of power (268 hp) and 0-62 mph in 7.5s, and a dual 300 kW (402 hp) model that’ll hit 62 mph in under 5.5s. It’s estimated the SUV will have a range of up to 286 miles.
Read next: Government car grant for electric cars: A complete guide on the PICG
3. Best upcoming Dacia
Dacia Spring Electric: Undisclosed
Dacia Spring Electric: Undisclosed
On 15 October 2020, Dacia announced its first all-electric SUV, the Spring Electric. Aimed at having a 140-mile range on a single charge, this supposedly affordable vehicle is aimed at being “an affordable electric mobility solution for all.” Yet, UK prices and availability have yet to be revealed. We hope it’ll come in at the sub-£20,000 range, which will make it quite a tempting proposition for aspiring EV buyers.
4. Best upcoming Fisker
Fisker EMotion release date: Late 2022
Fisker EMotion price: ~£155,000
The Fisker EMotion us a high-powered all-electric car that’s capable of achieving a top speed of 160 mph, getting to 60 mph in under 3s and has around 575 kW (780 hp) of power. Owned by Henrik Fisker, the same person who designed the Aston Martin DB9, the EMotion is set to be an exciting car. Better still, it’s expected to have a real-world driving range of 400 miles. It’s expected to be available in late 2022.
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Fisker Ocean release date: Early 2022
Fisker Ocean price: $37,500
The Fisker Ocean is a more consumer-friendly product. The SUV will be priced under $37,500 (~£30,500) and has solar panels mounted on its roof, which recoup energy back into the battery pack. The vehicle will comprise of recycled materials (such as door seals made from old tyres) and will have an interior cabin made from vegan materials. It’s expected to have an all-electric driving range of 250-300 miles, have 225 kW (300 hp) of power and run on a four-wheel-drive (4WD) system. It’s set for early 2022.
5. Best upcoming Ford
Ford F-150 Electric release date: Mid 2022
Ford F-150 Electric price: $100,000
Expected to come out in 2022, the F-150 Electric will cost around £81,000 ($100,000). Very little information has been shared by Ford on its upcoming all-electric pickup truck, however, expect it to have a 300-mile driving range and strong towing capacity; in July 2019, the company pulled off a PR stunt showing the pickup truck towing freight from a standstill.
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6. Best upcoming Hummer
GMC Hummer EV release date: Early 2022
GMC Hummer EV price: $112,595
The Hummer is traditionally known for its gas-guzzling nature, but the US manufacturer has decided to release an all-electric humvee in 2022. Prices for the 1st Edition model will start from $112,595, where the manufacturer hopes that by 2024 it will offer a cheaper alternative, the Hummer EV2 at $79,995. We suspect it won’t be available outside the US, so UK and European folk, don’t get your hopes up on seeing this rolling around.
Read next: GMC Hummer EV: Everything you need to know
7. Best upcoming Infiniti
Infiniti Qs Inspiration release date: Undisclosed
Infiniti Qs Inspiration price: Undisclosed
The Infiniti Qs Inspiration will be the automaker’s first all-electric vehicle. Given the company is now headquartered in Hong Kong, China, the vehicle will be aimed at the Chinese market; at least from what we know now, it won’t be available in other markets. Very little information is known at this stage, but we do know that it’ll have a serene interior design inspired by Japanese traditions.
Infiniti QX Inspiration release date: Undisclosed
Infiniti QX Inspiration price: Undisclosed
Much like the Infiniti Qs Inspiration above, there’s very little known about the QX Inspiration. Infiniti’s all-electric SUV was announced in 2019 and has since been kept under wraps; we do know that its interior will be spacious and the cabin will be hand-crafted using traditional Japanese techniques. Afterall, Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury vehicle division.
8. Best upcoming Karma
Karma SC1 Vision Concept release date: Undisclosed
Karma SC1 Vision Concept price: Undisclosed
Southern California-based luxury EV maker, Karma Automotive, has designed an incredible-looking all-electric hypercar, the SC1 Vision Concept. Its unique design, which has been inspired by the 1935 H-1 Racer aircraft, is different from what most cars look like; while this EV is still very much a concept, it has been shown off around the world at various auto shows. No word on pricing or its spec, yet.
Karma SC2 release date: Undisclosed
Karma SC2 price: £1,000,000
Another vehicle from Karma is the SC2; unlike the SC1, this hypercar has had its specs revealed: it’ll get to 60 mph in under 1.9s, where its motors will deliver 820 kW (1,110 hp) of power, and it’ll supposedly run for around 350 miles before needing to recharge. It’s been said that it’ll cost around £1m; that’s a hard pill to swallow.
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9. Best upcoming Lordstown
Lordstown Endurance release date: Late 2021
Lordstown Endurance price: $52,500
Lordstown’s Endurance is a four-wheel-drive pickup truck that’s set to come out in the US by 2021; there’s no word on European availability. The Endurance will have a 250-mile driving range, have a towing capacity of 7,500 lbs, have 447 kW (600 hp) of power, and have a top speed of 80 mph. It’ll be available for $52,500 (~£43,000).
10. Best upcoming Lexus
Lexus LF-30 release date: Undisclosed
Lexus LF-30 price: Undisclosed
Showcased at the 2019 LA Auto Show, the Lexus LF-30 is a stunning all-electric concept. Aside from its attractive design, which is largely due to its gullwing doors, the LF-30 is likely to have a motor that will output 400 kW (536 hp) of power; 0-62 mph in 3.8s and a top speed of 124 mph. Its 110 kWh battery pack is also tipped to have a 311-mile driving range, too. No word on pricing or availability, yet.
11. Best upcoming Porsche
Porsche Macan electric release date: Late 2022
Porsche Macan electric price: £60,000
As of yet, Porsche hasn’t disclosed much about its upcoming Macan. The new model is expected to come out in late 2022 and will likely be the offspring of the automaker’s Taycan line. The SUV will most likely cost more than £60,000. Interestingly enough, the Macan electric will be sold alongside an updated petrol model – the Macan line will only go full electric in 2024.
12. Best upcoming Renault
Renault 5 release date: Undisclosed
Renault 5 electric price: Undisclosed
Unveiled in January 2021, the Renault 5 Prototype is an all-electric car that’s based on its 70s sibling, the R5. It has a striking boxy design, with a fascinating LED matrix headlight system mounted at the front of the vehicle. The electric supermini has yet to receive a price or a finalised release date. One can only hope it’ll be just as impressive as the Renault Zoe but even more affordable.
13. Best upcoming Rivian
Rivian R1S release date: Summer 2021
Rivian R1S price: $77,500
This all-electric SUV is made for the outdoors with its wading depth of over 0.9m (3 feet), and 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs) towing force. It also has a quad motor system delivers up to 560 kW (750 hp) of power, which gets the R1S to 60 mph in 3s and a top speed of 125 mph. Best of all, it has a quoted driving range of 400 miles on a single charge. The SUV is expected to come out later this year for $77,500 (~£56,400).
Rivian R1T release date: Summer 2021
Rivian R1T price: $75,000
The Rivian R1T is built on the exact same platform as the R1S, above. The biggest difference? The R1T is a fully-fledged pickup truck that will go on sale for $69,000 (~£54,600).
Read next: Government car grant for electric cars: A complete guide on the PICG
14. Best upcoming Tesla
Tesla Cybertruck release date: Early 2022
Tesla Cybertruck price: $39,900
Designed like nothing we’ve ever seen before, the Tesla Cybertruck has some impressive specs: it’ll get to 60 mph in 2.9s, have a top speed of 130 mph and have a 500-mile range. This tri-motor AWD variant will be available for $69,900, while the mid-tier dual-motor AWD will cost $49,900 and the single motor RWD is set to hit the US at $39,900. There’s no official word on UK pricing or availability.
Tesla Model Y release date: Early 2022
Tesla Model Y price: $39,000
In the US, those who pre-ordered the Tesla Model Y are already getting delivery of their vehicles, but in the UK, customers will have to wait till 2022. The base model will be available from $39,000 and go up to $61,000. The Performance model (335 kW) will be capable of attaining a top speed of 150 mph, get to 60 mph in 3.5s and have an impressive 298-mile driving range. UK pricing has yet to be announced.
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Tesla Roadster release date: Late 2022
Tesla Roadster price: $250,000
This exciting new EV will get to 60 mph in 1.9s and have a top speed of 250 mph; that puts it in the same league as all-electric hypercars, yet this vehicle will cost a fraction of the price – make no mistake, it’s still expensive at $250,000. Best of all, this will have the best range of any electric car – 620 miles on a single charge. That’s incredibly impressive.
15. Best upcoming Volkswagen
VW ID. Buzz release date: Mid 2022
VW ID. Buzz price: Undisclosed
Based on the original Volkswagen Type 2 campervan, the ID. Buzz will be the all-electric Microbus. Due to arrive in 2022, the vehicle will have 275 kW (369 hp) of power, reach 62 mph in 5s and have a top speed of 100 mph. To top it off, it’ll have support for a 150 kW fast charger.
VW ID. Space Vizzion release date: Late 2021
VW ID. Space Vizzion price: Undisclosed
The VW ID. Space Vizzion is an all-electric estate that’s set to go into production in late 2021. The vehicle is tipped to come with a 367-mile range. Volkswagen is expecting the car to have 250 kW (335 hp) of power, reach 62 mph from a standstill in 5.4s and have a top speed of 109 mph. It’ll also accept a 150 kW charge.
