Innovation through electrification

Photo of author

(Newswire.net — January 20, 2021) —

Electric vehicles may still be relatively new, but this means their design is not yet set in stone, so new configurations, such as the Tesla Model Y or Cybertruck, still make quite a splash without seeming too controversial. Then again, it should come as no surprise that one of the most innovative brands in the world would want to make some inroads into the most popular segment – SUVs. These new automobiles are not just unorthodox under the hood, though; they also buck traditions in terms of styling, which is sometimes a double-edged sword.

Some of the other most interesting upcoming models in this regard include the:

  • Bollinger B1 and B2
  • Cadillac Lyriq
  • Faraday Future FF91
  • Ford F-150 Electric
  • Genesis Essentia
  • Lotus Evija

Each takes a somewhat revolutionary stance in their respective fields, whether it be in design or overall philosophy. The move towards electrification is the perfect excuse for automakers to redefine the industry with bolder concepts, truly showcasing the idea of art in motion, and many are jumping at the opportunity. 

The most futuristic sports cars

High-performance vehicles have always pushed the envelope in terms of styling, but now car makers are designing products that truly look like something right out of sci-fi movies. As is common with these super-powered machines, the price tags are highly restrictive. The aforementioned Evija or the Aspark Owl from out of Japan are expected to cost well in excess of $2,000,000 MSRP. This means that those looking to save money on gas definitely won’t be considering one.

Instead, these cars focus on an often overlooked benefit of electrification, which is the insane amount of horsepower and torque that motors provide. Many of the speedsters are boasting 0-60 mph sprint times of around the two-second mark. But that does not mean they don’t get the same improved fuel economy, but since it is not a priority, it is nowhere near as good as on more economical models.

A real-life Optimus Prime

Pickup Trucks are still among the top-sellers in the USA, but they have been slow to embrace the electric revolution, which is actually a bit strange considering the monstrous amount of torque offered by motors. This may be a consequence of the idea that going green is not “macho”, or because of the restrictive range of a battery. Similarly, the ultra-modern approach that many designers are taking does not lend itself to rugged trucks. But now, the Ford F-150, Bollinger B1 and B2, and Tesla Cybertruck are showing that it is possible to go electric and still maintain the same machismo that is a virtual prerequisite in the segment.

The Ford won’t be deviating too much from the brand’s heritage, but the competition is not being so conservative. Large, chunky bodies are likely to become the norm, though the polarizing aesthetic of the Cybertruck might not become a trend. Still, there will undoubtedly be something perfect out there for the outdoorsman in each of us. And with most of the latest options offering in excess of 1,000 lb-ft of torque, they won’t let us down anytime soon.

The perfect middle ground

For those who do not need breakneck speeds or the ability to move mountains, there are already a plethora of choices in the electric sedan, coupe, and crossover categories. The majority have built on the premise of hybrid vehicles, focusing on better mileage figures instead of raw power. But, the latest additions to the market have made great strides in shoring up some of the weaknesses of this particular segment, which includes restrictive cargo space and limited overall driving ranges.

Along with these improvements, automakers are taking the opportunity to refresh their images. Some of the most attractive designs include Genesis Essentia, Audi e-tron, Tesla Roadster, and the range of EQ models from Mercedes-Benz. Of course, there are always a few rebels looking to spice things up, and these include the Volkswagen I.D. Space Vizzion, Nissan Ariya, Lagonda All-Terrain, and Hyundai Ioniq 5.