An automobile that is driven solely by electric motors and battery energy is known as an electric car, battery electric car, or all-electric car. Electric automobiles emit fewer pollution overall, no exhaust emissions, and are quieter than cars with internal combustion engines. As of 2020, the total cost of ownership of contemporary electric vehicles is less expensive than that of identical ICE automobiles in the United States and the European Union due to lower gasoline and maintenance expenditures. A variety of charging stations are available for electric vehicles, and they can be placed in both private residences and public spaces.
After an encouraging start to 2019, falling
fuel prices in the United States (a market that
already enjoys comparatively cheap private
transportation) led to a disappointing second
half of the year for EV sales. The United States
EV market is almost singlehandedly being carried
by the success of the Tesla Model 3 – alone
responsible for almost half of all EV sales.
As in Europe and China, United States car sales fell sharply in the first three months of 2020 as the pandemic took a toll on demand; job losses increased and large swathes of the population were ordered to stay home. The recovery in EV sales is likely to be slower in the United States than in other major regions, as manufacturers delay the launch of new cars and consumers take advantage of low oil prices.
1. PORSCHE TAYCAN
Base/As Tested: $87,030/$96,830
VEHICLE TYPE
front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 4- or 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
POWERTRAIN
Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC; Power: 469 hp; Torque: 263 lb-ft; Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 83.7 kWh; Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW; Transmission: 2-speed automatic
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.7 sec
100 mph: 10.3 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.9 sec @ 115 mph
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.1 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.9 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.6 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 147 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 159 ft
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 114.2 in
Length: 195.4 in
Width: 77.4 in
Height: 54.9 in Cargo Volume: 17 ft3
Curb Weight: 4820 lb
2. TESLA MODEL 3
$66,190 (base price: $58,190)
VEHICLE TYPE
front- and mid-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
POWERTRAIN
F: induction AC motor, R: permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor
Combined Power (C/D est): 470 hp
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 75.0 kWh
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.1 sec
100 mph: 8.2 sec
1/4 mile: 11.6 sec @ 115 mph
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 3.3 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 1.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 1.7 sec
Top speed (mfr’s claim): 162 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 147 ft
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.2 in
Length: 184.8 in
Width: 72.8 in
Height: 56.8 in
Passenger volume: 97 ft3
Curb weight: 4072 lb
3. Hyundai Ioniq 5
Base/As Tested: $48,745/$57,245
VEHICLE TYPE
front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
POWERTRAIN
FMotor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC,99hp
RMotor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC,221hp
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 77.4 kWh
Onboard Charger: 10.9 kW
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.5 sec
100 mph: 12.6 sec
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.9 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 117 mph
DIMENSIONS
Length: 182.5 in
Width: 74.4 in
Height: 63.0 in
4. Audi E-Tron GT
Base/As Tested: $143,445/$164,390
VEHICLE TYPE
front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
POWERTRAIN
2 permanent-magnet synchronous AC Combined Power: 637 hp
Combined Torque: 612 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 85.0 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive, 2-speed automatic
C/D TEST RESULTS
130 mph: 14.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.8 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.2 sec
Top Speed (gov): 152 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 159 ft
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 114.1 in
Length: 196.4 in
Width: 77.3 in
Height: 55.6 in
Passenger Volume: 91 ft3
5. BMW iX
Base/As Tested: $109,895/$119,795
VEHICLE TYPE
front- and mid-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
POWERTRAIN
Combined Power: 610 hp
Combined Torque: 811 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion,106.3 kWh
Onboard Charger: 11.0 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 195 kW
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.2 sec
100 mph: 7.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.5 sec @ 120 mph
130 mph: 15.3 sec
150 mph: 26.4 sec
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 118.1 in
Length: 195.0 in
Width: 77.4 in
Height: 66.8 in