Top 5 Electric Car Makers
The electric car market continues to evolve. New regulations and consumer demand are forcing car manufacturers to offer more models that run on electricity.
Here’s a look at some of the best electric car makers. This list includes companies that sell pure EVs as well as plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Nissan
Nissan was one of the first major automakers to take EVs seriously. Their Leaf launched in 2010 and, unlike many “compliance EVs” that were produced to satisfy California’s zero-emission regulations, offered a car that was useful for short urban drives and long road trips.
Nissan continued to push forward with electric technology through imaginative concepts like the Pivo (2005) and Hypermini (2006). Electric Sightseeing Car They even built a fleet of EVs that served the Japanese North Pole Exploration Team, proving that lithium-ion batteries could handle extreme cold weather and high altitude.
The latest EV from Nissan is the Ariya electric SUV, which offers bold styling and two different battery sizes. Its 63kWh and 87kWh variants can travel up to 338 miles on a single charge and feature ProPILOT driver assist tech. The Ariya is based on Nissan’s CMF-EV platform, which will be used across multiple upcoming EVs. Nissan also plans to expand its unique EV Hub concept to core markets and localize raw material sourcing to make it more competitive in the global EV market. Its plan calls for EVs to account for 58% of its sales in 2026 and 40% by 2030.
Chevrolet
GM’s Chevy brand has been one of the most aggressive US automakers to adopt new electric technologies. The company introduced electric headlamps and an electric starter motor, both features that were once reserved for more expensive cars. It has also led the way in safety features, including antilock brakes and electronic stability control systems.
Chevrolet’s performance heritage lives on with the Camaro and Corvette sports cars, while its SUV lineup includes the Trailblazer, Trax and Blazer models plus the all-electric Bolt EV and Bolt EUV. It also has an all-electric Silverado pickup and plans to launch a Corvette-inspired SUV based on its Ultium battery cell tech in 2023.
With a goal of supplying 1 million electric vehicles by 2035, GM has invested in expanding its manufacturing capacity to meet demand. It has also created a new subsidiary called BrightDrop to develop and sell an all-electric van for delivery services such as FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service. The company is hoping to take advantage of the Biden administration’s plan to replace almost 650,000 vehicles operated by the federal fleet with all-electric models.
Ford
Ford has been around for 118 years and it was in a very different place when it first experimented with electric vehicles. Those first experimental cars used nickel-cadmium batteries that could only manage up to 55 mph and had a driving range of 40 miles.
But now, a century later, Ford is taking its EV plans very seriously. It has a lot riding on the success of its Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning EV pickups, but it also wants to make sure that every Ford car and van sold in Europe is zero-emission capable by 2024.
In addition to its Cologne EV plant, Ford is opening a battery plant near Glendale, Kentucky, that it’s calling BlueOval City and that will employ some 5,000 workers. It’s a joint venture with SK Innovation and it will produce lithium-ion cells with a capacity of up to 129 gigawatt hours.
Ford also announced a partnership with Redwood Materials to develop ways to lower the cost of producing battery cells. It’s looking at several options including localizing the supply chain network and creating recycling options for scrap and end-of-life batteries.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen, or VW for short, is one of the most recognizable car brands in the world. The company has a long history and is now turning its focus to electric vehicles. Its current lineup includes the popular Beetle, Volkswagen Bus, and several sedan models. The company is also developing electric versions of its classic cars.
Volkswagen was founded in 1937 as a state-owned enterprise during the Third Reich. Adolf Hitler wanted to develop a “people’s car” that was affordable and speedy. The company was originally operated by forced labor, including Soviet prisoners of war and Jewish concentration camp prisoners.
Today, Volkswagen is focused on creating electric vehicles that are affordable and have a range of up to 400 miles. Its newest model is the ID, which has been well received by consumers. The company plans to launch ten new electric vehicles by 2026, including an SUV version of the ID. The company will also release a smaller, more affordable electric vehicle that will be priced below the Tesla Model 3. These models will be built on VW’s MEB platform.
Kia
Kia is a car company that has been on the cutting edge of the electric car movement. Their research into the battery technology and infrastructure development could help to shape the future of transportation in a way that is sustainable and eco-friendly. Their EV lineup proves that chinese electric car manufacturers EVs are no longer a niche market, and can provide a fun and efficient ride for any consumer.
The company’s goal is to accelerate its electrification and reach 4 million annual vehicle sales by 2030, including over 2 million eco-friendly models. They also want to increase the application of connected car features and autonomous driving technologies to their entire model line-up. To achieve these goals, the company is partnering with Aptiv to advance its Society of Automotive Engineers Level 4 and 5 autonomous driving technology.
Additionally, the company is investing in fast-charging networks to make their vehicles more appealing to consumers. This is a key part of their Plan S strategy, which focuses on sustainable mobility leadership. The EV9 is the first vehicle to use this system, which will enable the car to recharge in less than 20 minutes.
