Wave of EVs and hybrids set to energize marketplace
Electric vehicles are hot-ticket items in some quarters. In just the third quarter of 2022, Americans bought a record 200,000-plus EVs, according to Kelley Blue Book.
In the Houston region, EV sales in 2022 were on track to beat 2021’s volume by 20%, said Casey Brown, president of Evolve Houston, an EV advocacy nonprofit whose partners include the city of Houston, CenterPoint Energy, Shell, NRG Energy and the University of Houston.
“EVs are still a small percentage of the marketplace, but as automakers introduce more and more electric cars, trucks and SUVs that come in more shapes and sizes, and sell at lower prices, interest is picking up,” said Keith Barry, an EV expert with Consumer Reports. “As battery range increases, people are learning they have enough miles per charge to plug in at home, which isn’t just convenient, but also cheaper than filling up at a gas station.”
The cost of a battery-powered ride is dropping in some segments. Chevy’s lopped $6,000 off the MSRP of its 2023 Bolt EV. The Bolt EUV has a longer wheelbase. With a topped-off 65 kWh battery pack, Chevy says the Bolt has a range of about 259 miles.
Need more room? Chevy’s 2024 Blazer EV, a midsize SUV, should land this summer. The Blazer will have an estimated range of up to 320 miles. There’ll even be an SS performance version armed with 557 horsepower and 648 lb.-ft. of torque.
In the fall, the 2024 Equinox EV arrives. Chevy says the compact SUV will eventually start at about $30,000, but the Equinox EV will debut as a pricier, limited-edition 2RS trim. The front-wheel-drive EVs will have a range of about 300 miles. On a DC fast charger, 10 minutes will be worth about 70 miles of range, GM says.
Autumn is also when Chevy launches its 754-horsepower Silverado EV. The RST First Edition will boast a whopping 17-inch infotainment display, adaptive air suspension and DC fast charging of up to 350 kWh. Versions capable of towing up to 10,000 pounds will follow.
Ford’s one-two punch in the EV market are the Mustang Mach-E SUV and F-150 Lightning pickup. Depending on configuration, upscale versions of the Mach-E with extended-range batteries will go an estimated 290 miles. Ford’s Co-Pilot360 driver-assist technology is now standard across the lineup. Range goes up to about 306 miles for the Mach-E Premium with extended-range battery. The premium and GT Performance Editions are available with a “Nite Pony Package” featuring blacked-out trim.
Build an electric pickup and they will storm your order books. Facing intense demand and rising content costs, Ford upped the MSRPs of its 2023 F-150
Lightning. The standard batteries now pack a little more range — about 240 miles — and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist is standard on some versions. But keep in mind, the Lightning’s little brother, the four-door Maverick, comes standard with a hybrid powertrain and nailed 37 mpg in Consumer Reports’ testing.
Hybrids and plug-in hybrids are solidly represented in this year’s crop of new vehicles. Alfa Romeo, for instance, is plowing new ground with its Tonale, a stylish plug-in SUV with a battery range of about 30 miles.
Due this spring, the 2023
Tonale should be entertaining, thanks to a targeted 285 horsepower and 0-60 mph times in the six-second range.
The plug-in hybrid version of Jeep’s popular Grand Cherokee, the 4xe, was named Green 4x4 of
“As battery range increases, people are learning they have enough miles per charge to plug in at home…” Keith Barry, Consumer Reports
the Year by Green Car Journal. The 4xe models can go about 25 miles on just its battery. Combined, the 4xe’s two motors and turbocharged 2.0-liter four engine deliver about 470 lb.-ft. of torque.
A hybrid juggernaut for over a quarter century, Toyota boasts 10 hybrids, the all-electric bZ4X, and two plug-in hybrids. For 2023, Toyota is introducing the all-new Prius and Prius Prime that sport sexier, wind-cheating styling and greater range. The Prius Prime plug-in should deliver dramatically improved acceleration and quietness, Toyota states.
New hybrid from Toyota
Toyota’s also launching the Crown, its new flagship sedan that offers two distinct hybrid powertrains: one geared toward performance while the other is tailored for top fuel efficiency, in this case about 41 mpg. The Crown’s higher ride height improves the sightlines and makes getting in and out of the car easier.
Kia’s redesigned 2023 Niro is available as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid or an all-electric. The latter’s battery is good for about 253 miles. The PHEV version’s all-electric range is up to 33 miles and on a level 2 charger, its 11.1-kWh battery takes three hours to charge.
Kia’s sprightly EV6 is a well-appointed crossover whose base model can go about 310 miles per charge and is capable of lightning-quick DC charging — from 10 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes, Kia says.
The 2023 Solterra is Subaru’s first all-electric. The SUV comes standard with all-wheel-drive, a suite of driver-assist technologies, an estimated range of 228 miles and 8.3 inches of ground clearance. Charging the battery to 80 percent takes an hour on a DC fast charger.
Volkswagen’s electric SUV, the ID.4, gets subtle styling tweaks for 2023. A new Standard trim featuring a new 62-kWh battery that lowered its MSRP was introduced, but reservations were snapped up. Standard tech ID.4 goodies include park assist with memory and a 12-inch infotainment display. The Pro and Pro S are rated at 275 miles and boast an 82 kWh battery.
Automakers are growing their EV lineups, but it may take months before new vehicles reach showrooms.
And backlogs or closed ordering are a fact of life in today’s EV market.