Electric buzz in States

Electric vehicle (EV) options for American consumers are set more than double in 2022.

Thirty entirely new models have been slated for release in the US, according to researcher IHS Markit – and they will mostly be manufactured by luxury marques such as Cadillac, Lincoln and Polestar. 

Unlike most EV models to date, the next generation will arrive in the size Americans tend to like and that’s extra large.

They will include at least 14 SUVs, a van and four pick-ups. Most notable is a battery-powered version of Ford’s F-150, pictured, which has been the country’s best-selling new vehicle for decades. 

IHS Markit estimates that one-in-20 American buyers will opt for a full EV – that’s the equivalent almost one million units – if supplies hold out. Analyst Michael Fiske says: “It’s going to be a matter of what can be built, not what can be sold.”

Expected to retail this year for less than US$100,000, or some NZ$149,000 – will be the Canoo Van, Fisker Ocean, Tesla Cybertruck, F-150 Lightning, Audi Q4 e-tron, Nissan Ariya,

Lordstown Endurance, BMW i4 and iX, Toyota bZ4X, Kia EV6, Volvo C40 Recharge, Cadillac Lyriq and Rivian R1S.

Priced at more than US$100,000 will be the Mercedes-Benz EQS, and Bollinger B1 and B2, while the Lotus Evija will start at US$2 million-plus.