Suddenly, electric vehicles are sexy, having shaken off the milk float image, we now have some seriously desirable electric cars. Here we present the absolute, ‘must have’ electric cars for the new decade?
Maserati Alfieri
Maserati first showed off the Alfieri in 2014 as a petrol engine monster, now, six years later, they are promising a new electric version with a choice of three different electric power trains employing a tri-motor, four wheel drive system with torque vectoring which allows the vehicle to vary the torque delivered to each wheel.
The supercar will use 800 volt battery technology which promises to deliver a 0-60 time of less than two seconds and a top speed in excess of 180 miles per hour. Whereas you will be able to view the new electric sports car at the Geneva motor show this year, it will not go into production until 2021, however there is sure to be a waiting list to get your hands on the new kid on the block.
Mini Electric
BMW created the first electric Mini in 2012, and having driven one of these extensively, I am looking forward to the new iteration which is due to go into production this year. Thought to be the first fully electric ‘hot hatchback’, it will offer neck wrenching, instant torque and a respectable under seven second 0-60 time.
The development of the new Mini has seen the engineers balancing range with performance, offering a range of between 124 – 144 miles on a full charge providing just over 18- brake horsepower. The 32.6kWh battery drives electric motors on the front wheels to give a top speed of 93 miles per hour while being able to be charged from flat to 80% in just 35 minutes using a 50kW public charge point. At home an 80% charge can be achieved in 150 minutes and 210 minutes to a full charge.
Aston Martin Rapide E
One of the most famous British sports car marques has now created its first electric vehicle. Their aim was to recreate the character, feel and delivery of their famous V12 petrol engine. To this end the engineers have spent considerable time to tune and finesse the powertrain and chassis to ensure that the sports car reputation is maintained with this new electric supercar.
The exterior of the Rapide E’s has been aerodynamically optimised and complemented with newly-designed aluminium wheels, created to achieve higher levels of efficiency, frictional loss and cooling performance. Powered by an 800V battery system which drives the rear mounted electric motors providing 950Nm of torque making this the most powerful of the Rapide range with a top speed of 155 miles per hour top speed and a 0-60 time of less than four seconds.
Mercedes eSprinter
A van may seem out of place in a list of supercars, however the new Mercedes eSprinter demonstrates a coming of age for electric commercial vehicles.
The eSprinter will be offered with two battery options, either 55 kilowatt-hours or 41 kWh. The larger battery option provides a range of just over 104 miles and a maximum payload capacity of 1,964 pounds (just under a Ton). Choosing the smaller battery reduces the driving distance to just over 90 miles, but increases the cargo capacity to just over a ton (2,304 pounds). The vehicle offers a choice of top speeds, either 50, 62 or 75 miles per hour.
Mercedes offers potential buyers a series of tools to review regular journeys to see if the eSprinter could create cost savings.
Porsche Taycan
With a range of 188 miles, 0-60 in just over 3 seconds and a top speed of 161 miles per hour, the new electric Porsche will not let down the family name. This sleek new electric sports car is bound to be popular as it goes into production this year.
It’s two synchronous motors will generate in excess of 600 hp. Charging to 80% in just over 90 minutes at a 50kW charge point
Tesla Cybertruck
No list of must have electric vehicles can exclude at least one Tesla. Elon Musk has certainly caused an impact on the motor industry and his latest vehicle, the Cybertruck is no exception.
Said to offer the convenience and utility of a truck with the performance of a sports car. Clad with an ‘exoskeleton’ of ultra-hard cold-rolled stainless-steel structural skin and Tesla armour glass (which we are assured is tougher than the type employed at the press launch).
The Cybertruck offers a payload capacity of just over one and a half tons with adjustable air suspension while offering a 0-60 in less than five seconds and a promised 500 mile range in the tri-motor model.
It may not have the sleek style and stylish lines of other Tesla models, however it’s tough, go anywhere design will no doubt be popular, and we can expect to see many of them doing the school run in cities across the UK in the not too distant future!