Though electric vehicles outdate internal combustion engine-powered vehicles by about 50 years, commercial viability is still a work in progress for EVs. The Nissan Leaf became the first mass-produced electric vehicle to hit the US market late last year, and it still has a long way to go before its electric platform starts earning a profit for Nissan.
Within the next several years, the electric vehicle market is poised to explode, with a variety of additional vehicle launches starting as early as this year. The options to green your commute will be more plentiful than ever.
2012 Ford Focus Electric
If you’ve been watching Ford lately, you probably knew that the automaker, which has been at the forefront of technology and efficient engine production, wouldn’t be far behind the first adopters in offering a green vehicle. The 2012 Focus Electric will launch in New York and California before the end of the year, with a broader launch scheduled for next spring. Spring 2012 launch markets include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C.
The five-door Ford Focus Electric will be a domestic competitor to the Nissan Leaf. It features a comparable electric powertrain with a 23 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 123-hp electric motor that provide up to 100 miles of zero-emissions range, as advertised by Ford. The car will have a top speed of 84 mph, according to a listing by the EPA.
The Focus Electric will be equipped with a variety of Ford’s latest technological features including the MyFord Touch infotainment system with eight-inch touch display and compatible smartphone apps for checking on things like charging status. The available 240-volt charging station will offer charging times between three to four hours. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but we’d expect it to be competitive with the 2012 Leaf’s $36,050.
2012 Mitsubishi iMiev
Mitsubishi calls its i-Miev subcompact the most affordable EV in America, and indeed its $29,125 base price (before tax credits) is nearly $7,000 less than the 2012 Nissan Leaf base price. The i-Miev will launch in early 2012. Mitsubishi’s first EV offers a class-leading 112 mpg-e fuel economy rating (compared to the Nissan Leaf’s 99 mpg-e), but a smaller EPA-listed range of 62 miles (compared to the Leaf’s 73 miles).
Unlike other EVs with a more traditional front-wheel-drive layout, the Mitsubishi i-Miev uses a rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive configuration that Mitsubishi says improves handling and frees up interior space. The i-Miev offers three driving modes to help drivers optimize performance and efficiency. It seats four with cargo space in the hatch. Features include a remote control and available HDD navigation. The EPA lists top speed at 80 mph.
2013 Toyota RAV4 EV
The 2013 RAV4 EV is actually an EV take-two. Toyota built and leased an electric RAV4 all the way back in the EV prehistoric times of 1997. Obviously enough, the latest RAV4 EV will be well advanced from that predecessor, trading in the nickel-metal-hydride for a Tesla-sourced powertrain. The RAV4 will be the first electric crossover when it hits the market and will offer up to 100 miles of range.
Toyota is still testing the RAV4 EV and finalizing the details. According to its website, a production-ready version of the model should debut next year. Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed that launch time frame when speaking with media in October, indicating sales will begin next year. Currently the electric RAV4 offers the same acceleration and cargo space as the gas-powered version, despite the more than 200 lbs. added by the battery.
Earlier this year, Popular Mechanics did a test drive of a RAV4 EV prototype and was impressed with the model’s handling and acceleration, listing its main grievance as the age-old “limited range” dilemma that affects every current EV. Expect this one to be among the most expensive mainstream EVs when it hits the market.
Tesla Model S
In addition to helping Toyota develop the RAV4 EV, Tesla will launch its second model next year. The Model S, expected to hit the market in mid-2012, is a premium-level sedan that seats five or an optional seven. It doesn’t entirely abandon the sportiness of Tesla’s original Roadster, offering a 5.6-second 0-to-60-mph time and a 130-mph top speed, but adds some space and practicality. The Model S enjoys a near-50 percent price reduction from the Roadster, with prices starting at $57,400.
The Model S is a few steps above mainstream EVs like the Leaf and Focus, and it offers the performance to command premium pricing. In addition to its quick acceleration and high top speed (for an EV), the Model S offers a much better range than cheaper EVs, with three trim levels boasting between 160 miles and 300 miles. Elon Musk recently told reporters that Tesla will build a high-performance Model S Sport, which will hit 60 mph in around 4.5 seconds.
Tesla is also planning to launch a crossover concept this year. Called the Model X, the crossover will use the same platform as the Model S but will gain extra size and utility.
Honda Fit EV
Honda combines some of the design and features from its other green vehicles in the Fit EV. The electric Fit features the same five-seat layout as the hybrid Fit and borrows the three-mode (economy, normal and sport) driving system from the CR-Z sport hybrid. The car will offer an EPA-estimated 70 miles of range and 90-mph top speed. The Fit EV lithium-ion battery will charge in 12 hours via conventional 120-volt outlet and in around six hours via 240-volt adapter.
The Fit will feature a remote control that delivers information about charging status and allows the driver to start up the air conditioning system. A dashboard display and smartphone app will show information about battery life so that drivers can better optimize run time—by shutting off certain components, for instance. The satellite navigation system includes a charging-station locator function. The Fit is scheduled for US launch in 2012.
