Automakers are pouring money into electric vehicles as local and Europewide legislation pushes them to electrify their lineups with different combinations of battery technology — whether they want to or not. The small number of EVs available, either full-electric cars or plug-in hybrids, is slowly increasing as the battery technology improves and battery costs decline.
This year, Jaguar launched the I-Pace, the first full-electric model from an established automaker with the performance and price tag to challenge Tesla. In the volume sector, Hyundai introduced long-range capability — up to 480 km (298 miles) — with the Kona EV SUV.
German cars
German premium brands are launching their fight back against Tesla – Audi with the e-tron SUV and Mercedes-Benz with the EQC.
The choice of high-end, long-range (400 to 500 km) electric cars will expand further when Porsche launches the Taycan sedan.
Electric cars are perceived to be image-boosting. Whether that is a result of Tesla’s efforts or a backlash against polluting diesels is difficult to say.
But over the past 12 months, automakers looking for positive publicity have made bold promises to electrify their global fleets in the midterm.
Projections
By 2023, 86 percent of all PSA Group’s models will have an electric or plug-in option.By the end of 2022, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will have launched more than 30 nameplates with electric drivetrains.
Starting in 2019, every all-new Volvo launched will have some form of electrification. This will include 48-volt mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full-electric powertrains. Volvo’s headline-generating announcement, made July 2017, inspired many others to follow suit.
Renault plans to launch eight full-electric models and 12 electrified models by 2022.
The Volkswagen Group has announced it will launch 25 electric vehicles by 2020 and plans to sell up to 3 million EVs annually by 2025.
By 2022, Ford will have 16 dedicated battery-electric vehicles globally. Also, by 2022, Daimler will electrify the entire range of Mercedes cars. Every new Jaguar Land Rover vehicle will be electrified by 2020 and one-third of all Maseratis will be electrified by the mid-2020s.
Source: AutoNewsEurope.com
