I look forward to the day when there are enough EV models that it's not assumed all EVs are interchangeable. You wouldn't see an article suggesting that BMW 330i sales are cannibalizing Honda Civics.
I'm also hoping that EVs encourage a bigger reinvestment in alternative form factors like the station wagon/estate car/shooting brake. So far most of the manufacturers of EVs are sticking to existing truck/SUV trends playing it safe, but now that enough of the major manufacturers are using standardized platforms where they can easily play with the form factor above the "skateboard" core we'll start seeing more EV diversity than ever before sooner rather than later.
(VW Group has an EV station wagon Porsche now [a variant of the Taycan EV], and that's probably wildly out of most family's budgets, but if VW Group is playing with that on the MEB at the luxury end, hopefully that means they are already considering how to play with that on the low end as well.)
Most/all of the mainstream brands do have EVs already available or coming soon. A lot of them have gotten over the weird EV stylings of yore and made very approachable designs.
Ford: F150 and Mustang Mach-e
BMW has several
Mercedes has several in the EQ range
Toyota has finally gotten on the bandwagon as does Lexus.
VW has EVs for VW, Audi and Porsche.
GM and Chevy have a few models lined up.
Hyundai and Kia both have multiple EVs.
I’m sure I’ve missed a brand but I’d be curious which brand you’re waiting for?
There will be no single differentiator because the auto market is very diverse. Everyone sees their car like potential energy, what could it do for me? For some people, they need to get from point A to point B slowly, others love speed; some need to haul gravel and logs, others want interior storage; parents may want to have 4 children in the vehicle, singles may want just their partner.
Thus, there will always be a diverse set of EVs to choose from, catering to different market segments.
There's no need to speculate on the EV market. Especially in most western countries. EVs are here and people want them.
VW alone had a backlog of 300.000 cars in 2022.
Companies care about making a profit and even the stoic Germans that where mostly wishy-washy for a long time on their strategy, have finally started to mass-producing them.
Peugeot EVs have no apparent difference with their internal combustion engine counterpart, and I see this becoming the norm once the initial craze fades away
It's really exciting to see a good EV that doesn't have the Tesla/Musk cult of personality baggage. I just want a good daily driver that doesn't try to be humanity's savior... looking at the Rivians and the Subaru Solterra (a rebadged Toyota BZ4K, I think)
Yeah, the u.s market does not really support this variety of form factors and motor cars but I think EVs are going to change that because it's a lot easier to vary the size of a battery, the main primary component of an EV vehicle and just slap on any of a range of electric motors.
I'd have thought EVs will still be differentiated on cost, comfort, appearance, performance, quality, non software features and "branding" - just like current cars?
Edit: Just for the record, I've owned 1 BMW, didn't like it that much (uncomfortable, low quality for cost) wouldn't buy another one.
I hope to follow when I purchase my next car here in Ohio. There's a new brand -- "Fisker" -- that's coming out with seriously reasonably priced electric vehicles. I'm going to be watching them closely.
Exciting stuff! I don't drive a ton ( ~1500 miles / yr tops ) so my emissions output isn't huge, but I think it will feel good to curb even my small driver's footprint.
I hope we look back on this time for vehicles fondly. I think we're coming up on the inflection point fast :)
It'll be a little melancholy for me as I like hot rodding. But I've already said that the moment they come out with an electric conversion kit, I'll have my car done right away. To hell with it, it'd be an awesome conversation piece.
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