Leading 2019’s electric charge

The EVs coming this year

2018 was a busy year for electric cars, with a host of new and updated models hitting showrooms.

Among them, premium brand Jaguar launched the I-Pace, Hyundai released the Kona electric, a second generation of the pioneering Nissan Leaf hit our shores while the Renault Zoe also received a refresh.

2019 is set to be even busier, with several major manufacturers planning key new models featuring part or fully electric drivetrains. Here we round up some of the most significant models coming in the next 12 months

ASTON MARTIN RAPIDE

The start of a promised run of electric cars from the famous British brand. The RapidE is based on the current Rapide luxury sports saloon but the V12 petrol engine will be replaced with twin electric motors producing more than 600bhp, all going to the rear wheels.

AUDI E-TRON

The e-tron is a large SUV positioned to take on the Jaguar I-Pace and upcoming Mercedes EQC. Audi is already taking orders for the £70,000+ model, which offers WLTP range of 249 miles from its twin-motor, four-wheeldrive setup.

AUDI E-TRON SPORTBACK

The Sportback is Audi’s more style-led entry into the EV world. Like other SportbackmembersoftheAudifamily it features a coupe-like body on top of existing running gear, in this case the e-tron.

BMW IX3

BMW’s first, but but presumably not last, all-electric SUV and the first i car based on an existing model. The iX3 is an all-electric version of the brand’s popular X3 model and BMW says it will feature a capacity of over 70kWh and a range of around 250 miles as well as supporting the latest 150kW rapid chargers.

DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE

The E-Tense is the first EV from the luxury arm of the PSA Group and, like the iX3 is an EV version of a conventional model. It will sit alongside petrol and diesel versions of the compact SUV and feature a 135bhp electric motor with a range in excess of 180 miles.

HONDA URBAN EV

The Urban EV concept created a storm when it was revealed at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show and it’s now due in showrooms later this year with very few changes. The five-door hatchback is smaller than a Jazz but will be positioned as a premium model. Drivetrain details haven’t been confirmed but Honda’s publicity suggests it will have a relatively short range, suited to commuting.

KIA E-NIRO

Sister car to the Hyundai Kona, the e-Niro is one of the first mainstream models to offer range of more than 200 miles. Real-world testing has achieved around 250 miles from the compact crossover’s 64kWh battery and the e-Niro will join hybrid and PHEV versions of the Niro when it goes on sale in April, priced at £33,000.

KIA SOUL EV

A new version of Kia’s first EV, the Soul will borrow the 201bhp motor and 64kWh battery from the e-Niro when it arrives in the second half of the year.

MERCEDES EQC

The EQC is a rival to the Jaguar I-Pace, Audi e-tron and Tesla Model X in the luxury SUV part of the EV market. Based on a heavily modified GLC platform, it features twin electric motors with 402bhp, four-wheel-drive and a range of 250 miles to match its key rivals.

MINI ELECTRIC

The Mini Electric is expected to use the same EV systems that power the BMW i3, including a 42kWh battery and 168bhp motor. In the similarly sized BMW, that offers WLTP range of 192 miles and 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds. Mini says it currently only plans to offer a three-door hatch but has hinted at John Cooper performance models.

POLESTAR 1

The first all-electric model from Volvo’s performance wing, the Polestar 2 will follow the limited-run Polestar 1 hybrid into showrooms. It is a four-door “fastback” saloon designed to challenge the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar say it will produce up to 400bhp and offer a range of around 300 miles.

PORSCHE TAYCAN

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right)

Silly name or not, this is a seriously important car. The first pure EV from a firm behind some of the most legendary sports cars of all time, the Taycan is a four-door sports saloon that will challenge Tesla’s groundbreaking Model S. Porsche says the Taycan will offer all the dynamics associated with the Porsche name and plans to offer multiple variants with different power outputs, thought to range from around 400bhp to 600bhp.

RENAULT ZOE

A new version of Renault’s compact electric hatchback. This model will be built on a new platform rather than the current one shared with the Nissan Leaf and Renault is said to be aiming for WLTP range of around 250 miles from a larger battery pack. Multiple power and range options are expected when it goes on sale later this year.

TESLA MODEL 3

Looking to cement Tesla’s position as the go-to EV brand, the much-delayed Model 3 is a compact executive saloon aimed at the BMW 3 Series market. As with other Teslas there are different battery and performance options but topof-the-range models promise 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds, four-wheel-drive and a range of 338 miles under WLTP. Prices are expected to be between £50,000 and £60,000 with first UK deliveries in the summer.

VOLVO XC40 ELECTRIC

Another EV based on an existing model, the XC40 will add a pure electric variant to Volvo’s award-winning compact SUV. It is expected to launch soon after the Polestar 2 and share that car’s electric running gear. Volvo has said it wants 50 per cent of all its sales to be pure EV by 2025.

Honda Urban EV