Can 2 new SUVs jump-start sales of electric vehicles?
Hyundai Kona, Jaguar I-Pace have size, range
NEW YORK – For drivers who make up excuses to talk themselves out of buying an electric vehicle, two major objections just got crossed off the list: size and range.
A pair of vehicles introduced at the New York International Auto Show point to a new generation of EVs that won’t force motorists to compromise daily routines in the name of being ecological. They add choices for drivers who can’t afford one of Tesla’s luxury models or who want a vehicle from a more established brand.
Both the Hyundai Kona Electric and Jaguar I-Pace have more than double the range of first-generation electric vehicles, dispelling one issue that has held down sales. I-Pace is rated at 240 miles of range, and Kona Electric gets a whopping 250 miles per charge.
Both are roomy SUVs with battery packs configured in a way that it doesn’t eat into interior space. With room for five and all of their gear, these new family haulers contrast with earlier electric cars that were based on compact vehicles, usually with sub-100 mile range. Think Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus Electric or Honda Fit EV.
“We found one of the key reasons people decided against buying an electric vehicle was ‘range anxiety,’ ” said Brandon Ramirez, senior group manager for Hyundai Motor America. “We wanted to maximize range to improve it to customers.”
Kona’s range is 12 miles more than General Motors’ Chevrolet Bolt and about 99 miles more than the latest Nissan Leaf, both battery-powered hatchbacks.
It’s also 30 miles more than Tesla’s Model 3, the brand’s first mainstream car, which is starting to come to customers in larger numbers.
Their range, while impressive, still fall below the 295mile maximum in a version of Tesla’s Model X crossover, the
100D. But that SUV is listed at
$96,000, including destination charges, putting it out of reach of most car buyers. Even the cheapest version of the Model X, the 75D with 237 miles of range, is priced at $79,500.
I-Pace will be priced at
$70,400. The Hyundai hasn’t been priced yet.
The latest crop of EVs is being driven by advances in technology. The lithium-ion batteries that power them are getting better and cheaper.