Still on the fence about buying a new electric vehicle in 2022? Here are some EVs that might change your mind!
The new year is finally here, and with it come new and exciting additions to the already-quite-long list of electric vehicles already in existence. Gone are the days when Tesla was the only serious EV manufacturer on the market. Now, you have scores of options while buying an EV, from affordable family hatchbacks to multi-million-dollar track monsters. Nonetheless, the EV industry should see unprecedented growth in 2022, despite being plagued by a global chip shortage and sporadic lockdowns causing irreparable damage to supply chains.
If your New Year’s resolution is to finally get an electric car, you are in luck! 2022 will see some big names enter the market, while the existing ones are set to take valuable learnings from their previous vehicles to develop new and improved versions. Range anxiety is also a thing of the past, thanks to rapid advancements in battery technology and charging infrastructure.
And if that isn’t enough to convince you to finally take the plunge and get an electric vehicle, this inside look at some of the most exciting models going on sale in 2022 surely will!
Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle
American EV startup Canoo has announced ambitious plans to launch a van-style electric Lifestyle Vehicle in late 2022. The van will use Canoo’s multi-purpose platform, which it claims to be the “flattest and lowest profile skateboard in the industry.” The idea is to pack as much technology as possible and still provide van-like space.
Canoo has achieved this by integrating the battery modules directly into the base platform to save space and give the best energy density in its class. Additionally, the vehicle uses a modular architecture, allowing you to outfit it based on your requirements. For example, the Lifestyle Vehicle can be used as a delivery van, adventure vehicle, and even a standard people carrier.
The Lifestyle Vehicle is available for preorder on Canoo’s website, with prices starting at $34,750, before options and tax incentives. There are four variants to choose from — delivery, base, premium, and adventure. Details are scarce as to the specific differences between each, but it seems they will all use a similar powertrain setup and produce up to 350 bhp.
Key Features
- Dual-motor all-wheel-drive
- Start at $34,750 before options and tax incentives
- Up to 350 miles maximum range
- 80-kWh battery pack
Tesla Cybertruck
Tesla has a few vehicles in development, but the Cybertruck is by far the most awaited. The radical, and quite futuristic, sharp-edged design may not be to everyone’s taste, but even critics cannot downplay its attention-seeking potential. Add impressive claims to the equation, like a 500 miles maximum range & 14,000 lbs. of towing capacity, and it isn’t too difficult to understand.
Elon Musk has previously said Tesla would offer the truck in single-, dual-, and tri-motor configurations, with the most powerful variant sprinting to 60mph in under three seconds.
After numerous delays due to production difficulties, supply chain restrictions, and several other reasons, Musk finally slated the Cybertruck to go on sale in late 2022, about three years after the first unveiling. However, we recommend you take this new timeline with a pinch of salt as the pandemic seems far from over and because of it, so are global supply chain restrictions. Still, it isn’t all bad news while waiting for your Cybertruck; you can still enjoy part of the experience on Tesla’s Cyberquad ATV for kids — that is if you can manage to get your hands on one before it’s all sold out.
Key Features
- Available in single-, dual-, and tri-motor configurations
- $39,900 to $69,900
- 500 miles maximum range
- 200-250 kWh battery pack
Ford F-150 Lightning
The F-150 Lightning is the all-electric variant of America’s best-selling truck for 44 years in a row. Ford knows most traditional customers won’t readily accept their favorite truck without an ICE engine under the hood. For that reason, the blue oval has worked extremely hard to make the package as appealing as possible.
You get a host of technological advancements like a sophisticated cruise control system, over-the-air software updates, and the ability to use your truck as a mobile power bank to power several tools and appliances ( I don’t need to mention how this can get quite handy on a jobsite). The maximum power output in the lineup is 560 bhp from a dual-motor powertrain with four-wheel-drive standard across the board.
Ford launched the electric truck in May 2021, though deliveries should only start next spring. Unfortunately, it’s already too late if you were still on the fence about getting one. Ford claims to have already received around 200,000 reservations, equaling more or less three years of mass production. Needless to say, the demand is incredibly strong and if you are still adamant about getting one, be prepared to pay a hefty markup over the $40,000 MSRP if you can find a dealer who has to deal with cancellations (you should be able to find several barely-used or models shortly after it hits the market, though).
Key Features
- Available in dual-motor configuration with standard four-wheel-drive
- $39,970 to $90,000 (expected)
- 230-300 miles range depending on the battery pack
- 98 and 131-kWh battery packs available
Hyundai Ioniq 6
US deliveries for the Ioniq 5 have barely started, and Hyundai is making the News again with its upcoming 2022 Ioniq 6 electric vehicle. Details are still scarce at this point, but reliable sources suggest the sedan will draw significant design inspiration from the Korean brand’s Prophecy concept unveiled a while ago. Highly camouflaged prototypes have been regularly spotted plying European roads lately, and as far as we can tell, the similarities with the concept are abundantly clear — even the bold rear spoiler seems to have trickled down onto the production version.
As mentioned earlier, there isn’t much factual information available yet, but we do know the Ioniq 6 will use Hyundai’s eGMP dedicated EV platform and offer at least two powertrain options. Prospective buyers can choose from a single-motor configuration, good for 215 hp, or opt for a dual-motor alternative providing a 93-hp hike. Hyundai targets a realistic range of over 300 miles, but the small 73-kWh battery pack doesn’t inspire much confidence.
The Ioniq 5 electric hatchback was delayed in the United States, so it remains to be seen if Hyundai will manage to meet the Ioniq 6’s deadline of a late 2022 launch.
Key Features
- Available in single- and dual-motor configuration
- $40,000-$45,000 (expected)
- 300-330 miles expected range
- 73-kWh battery pack
VinFast VF 9
Here’s a headline you don’t see every day: “Vietnamese maker of electric cars is planning to enter the US market in 2022.” That is precisely what VinFast is doing with its VF 8 and VF 9 electric SUVs. Both look like great cars at first glance, but the larger VF 9 seems a better fit for the US market. The Tesla Model X-rivalling VF 9 features two electric motors working in unison to provide a total output of 400 hp. The VF 9 is also likely to feature a 106-kWh battery pack, capable of going a little over 300 miles between charges.
Although VinFast only recently revealed its ambitious plan to invade America, the manufacturer doesn’t seem to be wasting any time. It will reportedly start accepting deposits for the VF 9 using a rather clever blockchain technology designed to reward prospective customers with e-vouchers and an NFT — if that’s not embracing a modern business model, I don’t know what is.
The Vietnamese marque plans to produce these electric vehicles in mid-2022, with first deliveries reaching customers a little later.
Key Features
- Dual-motor configuration with one motor per axle
- Start at $45,000 for the base variant
- 300-350 miles expected range
- 106-kWh battery pack (speculated capacity)
Atlis XT
Atlis is another brand in a long list of startups that completely disappeared from the automotive scene after announcing zealous plans to revolutionize the industry. However, it has somehow come back from the dead, finally starting to accept reservations for its XT electric pick-up. Can’t believe it? Me neither — especially because Atlis is making striking claims, like more than 600 hp of peak power, 12,000 ft-lb peak torque, 500 miles maximum range, and a 250 kWh+ battery pack. That’s not all; you also get steering- and braking-by-wire, regenerative braking, independent front & rear suspension, and a quad-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain.
But hey, let’s give Atlis the benefit of the doubt and assume, for a moment, the brand was hard at work all these years. If these figures are anything to go by, the Atlis XT will be one heck of a truck as it offers pretty much everything one could ever want.
And if the price seems a bit steep for you, you’ll be happy to hear that the brand also plans to introduce a subscription service for its 2022 electric vehicle.
To be continued.
Key Features
- Quad-motor all-wheel-drive configuration
- $45,000 to $78,000
- 300, 400, and 500-mile range available
- 250 kWh+ battery pack (highest-spec model)
Polestar 3
Volvo’s subsidiary brand is on track to launch its third vehicle sometime this year. After the Polestar 1 hybrid sedan and the Polestar 2 electric crossover, the upcoming Polestar 3 SUV is sure to take the market by storm. Unfortunately, the Swedish brand is keeping mum about details, and there isn’t much reliable information around, aside from a few teasers. Nonetheless, if the previous Polestar vehicles are anything to go by, the new one should be something to look out for.
If rumors turn out to be true, the Polestar 3 will be offered in single- and dual-motor configurations and pitched as a performance-oriented model competing against similar offerings from Porsche, Mercedes, and Audi. There is no word on pricing yet, but since the 3 will be the first Polestar vehicle to be produced in the United States, we expect it to be priced competitively. The EV should enter production by Q3 2022, provided there aren’t any further delays — and that is nothing but uncertain.
Key Features
- Available in single- and dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration
- $65,000 to $75,000 for the base variant
- 300-350 miles expected range
- 103-kWh battery pack (speculated capacity)
Rivian R1S
By now, Rivian is probably the most recognizable name of all the new automotive startups out there. The company recently became the world’s third most valuable car company, with a market cap of more than $150 billion — impressive right? Especially for a car manufacturer that produced barely a handful of cars as of yet.
However, some would argue that Rivian doesn’t deserve all this hype since it is a loss-making company that has presented its customers with nothing but delays for months. It’s not all bad news, though; things are starting to look brighter for the California-based Amazon-backed manufacturer, and it looks like customers will finally get their R1S SUV sometime this year. Buyers can choose from several different motor and battery pack configurations, the most expensive of which packing 750 hp and able to go 316 miles on a single charge.
The company started producing the R1T truck a few months ago, and a couple of units of the R1S, but those were only reserved for high-ranking employees. Customer deliveries for the R1S are due to begin in March, and you can preorder the $70,000 SUV on Rivian’s website now. If you want to enjoy your new Rivian SUV in 2022, you’ll need to opt for the Adventure spec, as the company only plans on manufacturing that specific model this year.
Key Features
- Quad-motor all-wheel-drive configuration
- $70,000 to $75,500 before options and tax incentives
- EPA-rated 316 miles range on 21” wheels
- 135-kWh battery pack
BMW iX
The BMW iX is nearly ready to hit your nearest authorized dealer!
Sure, compared to the competition, the German manufacturer may be a little late to the party. Nonetheless, BMW has finally developed a proper electric SUV for the US market and it looks quite promising. For the time being, BMW is offering the xDrive50 dual-motor all-wheel-drive version for sale; however, the company also announced a more powerful M60 trim, packing 610 hp. The M60 sprints from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and will be available to buy later this year.
The iX’s $84,000 asking price is a bit high for a mid-size electric SUV. Still, if you still want one, you can make a reservation on BMW’s website for a refundable $1,500 deposit. However, all productions slots until June have already been spoken for, so it will be a while before you receive yours.
Key Features
- Dual-motor all-wheel-drive SUV
- Starts at $83,200, before options and destination fee
- 324 miles maximum range
- 111.5-kWh battery pack
Mercedes-Benz EQS
Mercedes is going all-in in the electric revolution, launching an entire range of EVs covering all segments. Indeed, the German manufacturer plans to unveil up to 10 cars under the EQ banner in 2022 alone. Still, all eyes are on the EQS sedan.
Think of it as an all-electric S Class but with a completely new and unique platform, designed exclusively for electric powertrains. The EQS is also packed with quirky features like automatic opening and closing doors, wide LED light bars front & back, and the largest display screens ever fitted to a Mercedes vehicle.
You can choose between single- and dual-motor variants, producing 329 and 516 hp, respectively. Both models come with a 107.8-kWh battery, providing an EPA estimated range of 350 miles for the single-motor model. The estimates drop to 340 miles if you choose the faster dual-motor option.
Of course, Mercedes also has to deal with the global semiconductor shortage, and for that reason, getting an early build slot will prove extremely difficult. To give you an idea of how limited supplies are, some dealers still find buyers after reportedly charging up to $50,000 markups over the already-high $102,310 MSRP.
Key Features
- Available in single- and dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration
- Starts at $102,310 before options and destination fees
- 350 miles maximum range
- 107.8-kWh battery pack
Last Words
2022 is set to be a record-breaking year in terms of new electric vehicle launches, with a growing number of mainstream manufacturers and startups looking to join the electric revolution. That is good news for prospective buyers as they will be presented with a wider range of options than ever, better suiting their specific needs and budget.
If you were planning on jumping on the electric vehicle bandwagon soon, now’s the time!
However, the global semiconductor chip shortage is a massive problem that can seriously hinder the industry’s growth this year. Until it is dealt with, you should expect repeated delays in manufacturing. The only ray of hope amidst all the negativity is that we have so many new and exciting EVs to look forward to — we’ll take that!
