The 18 Hottest Electric Cars for 2022
Lotus Evija ~ Image Credit: Craig James / Wikimedia Commons
With gas prices on the rise, electric cars are more desirable than ever. They run on batteries and are propelled by one or more electric motors. Since they run on batteries, you can either charge your car at home or when you’re on the go, at an EV charging station. A benefit of this type of car is that they have no exhaust emissions, and they are generally quieter than standard cars. Electric cars are well known for being much more beneficial to the environment by reducing smog and greenhouse emissions, meaning cleaner air for everyone. Newer models are always being introduced, and these are some of the hottest electric cars coming out in 2022.
Image Credit: "2022 BMW i4 M50 (TH)" by Chanokchon is marked with CC BY-SA 4.0
BMW i4
Cost: $55,000-$66,000
This newer BMW has two versions available. The eDrive40, which has rear-wheel drive and 335 hp, has approximately a range of 300 miles. The M50 has an all-wheel-drive and tops out at 536 hp, with a lower range of 245 miles, but has the feel of a sports car as it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. This model can have a 90-mile range in only 10 minutes. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cycle detection, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance are all some standard safety systems that this EV has included.
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Audi A6 E-Tron
Cost: $80,000-$100,000
Audi has worked hard to ensure that their EVs are high-quality alternatives to traditional internal-combustion engine automobiles. With this vehicle, you will be able to enjoy 800-volt charging capability, as well as a 0-63 mph speed in under 4 seconds. It has a range of 430-plus miles and two electric motors that when put together, have a horsepower of 469.
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BMW iX
Cost: $80,000-$100,000
This well-designed SUV is BMW’s new EV flagship, featuring the impressively large grille, squared-off steering wheel, and a wraparound floating touch screen. BMW reports that the iX will have 500 hp and utilize two motors to be able to have the all-wheel-drive capability. Expect this sleek vehicle to jump from 0 to 62 mph in under 5 seconds. The range has been deemed to be 300 miles, with the ability to add 75 miles of charge in 10 minutes of fast charging. It will take approximately 11 hours to charge the iX to 240 volts from empty, which is standard.
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Fisker Ocean
Cost: $37,499-$68,999
After being out of the automotive market for nearly a decade, Fisker has made a comeback with this all-new Ocean electric vehicle. This EV has some exciting features such as an optional solar roof, a 17-inch center touch screen that can be rotated horizontally or vertically, and “California mode” which lowers all the windows and moves back the roof panel to create the vibe of a convertible experience, all at the touch of a button. The price is the range for the trim levels, ranging from the front-wheel-drive base Sport version to their top two all-wheel-drive trims. This EV will be available later in 2022.
Ford F-150 Lightning by squirrelcam92 is marked with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Ford F-150 Lightning
Cost: $39,974-$90,474
This strong powered and high capability pickup offers two power configurations, 426 and 563 hp. The standard range battery can go up to 230 miles, whereas the extended range battery should be able to provide 320 miles. With the Lightning, you will be able to enjoy a large front trunk that has the capacity to hold two sets of golf clubs. This EV brags about the 2,000-payload capacity, coupled with a 10,000-tow capacity. It does have past features, such as a foldaway gear selector and deep reclining seats for comfort. Enjoy forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, lane keep assisting, parking obstruction warning, and rear automatic braking.
Genesis GV60 JW1 Uyuni White (5) by Damian B Oh is marked with CC BY-SA 4.0
Genesis GV60
Cost: $50,000-$70,000
Starting in 2025, Genesis has announced that its goal is to make all of its new vehicles electric. They want to become a zero-emissions vehicle brand by the year 2030, and to become carbon-neutral by 2035 to help improve the environment. Genesis has been keeping details about this under wraps from the U.S., but word across seas has been that the motor configurations have a power ranging from 225 hp to 429 hp. Additionally, it has been said that there is a boost button for an extra boost of passing power.
2022 GMC HUMMER EV Edition 1" by Automotive Rhythms is marked with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
GMC Hummer EV
Cost: $79,995-$112,595
This new hummer is much different than older models that were the epitome of gas-guzzling, anti-environment vehicles. The new and improved GMC Hummer EV has high hopes of being not only green but off-road ready with a generous amount of power and quick acceleration akin to a sports car. Some of the tricks that this vehicle feature is the ability to move diagonally, up to 18 cameras for adventuring through trails, and Super Cruise driver assistance. The first edition will have 1,000 hp and a range of over 350 miles. In a year, another SUV model will follow this one that will top output at 830 hp. In a couple more years afterward, you can expect some less expensive versions with reduced power and range.
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Kia EV6
Cost: $40,900-$55,900
This is Kia’s first car that has been designed as completely electric and has the size of a Ford Mustang Mach-E. Kia has promised that this is the first car in what will be a series of EV models. There will be multiple powertrain configurations available, several motor combinations as well as rear and all-wheel drive options. You can expect this EV to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.5 seconds. When on the go, you will be able to charge this car up with 400- and 800-volt charging stations, which will have the battery go from 10 to 80 percent in merely 18 minutes. Something unique about this vehicle is that you can power other equipment in your home in case of an emergency. Some of the other features for safety to expect with this vehicle are forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver attention monitor.
Lucid Air by Dave Pinter is marked with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Lucid Air
Cost: $77,400-$170,000
This all-wheel-drive sedan was specifically designed to compete with ultraluxury model cars such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Tesla Model S. The batteries of this vehicle as well as the 900-volt electric architecture were engineered in-house and have been tested already as well as proven on Formula E cars. The company has stated that the base model will have over 400 miles of range with a charging system to allow an additional 300 miles of range in 20 minutes when using a DC fast charger.
Mercedes-Benz EQ Concept by Dave Pinter is marked with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Mercedes-Benz EQE
COST: $85,000-$100,000
This four-door sedan is the newest EV from Mercedes-Benz. You can expect a sleek look along with futuristic styling. The first model is equipped with 288 hp and rear-wheel drive. Other versions that include all-wheel drive will be brought forward later. Some of the exciting features of the EQE are a large Hyperscreen, which is over 56 inches wide and takes over the entire instrument panel.
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Subaru Solterra
Cost: $40,000-$50,000
Subaru has broken through with this being their first electric vehicle. This car offers 8.3 inches of ground clearance, perfect for those weekends going down dirt trails, as well as combining a two-motor electric powertrain to form a symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. Together, the motor's output is 215 hp and 248 lb.-ft of torque. The range is estimated to be over 222 miles. According to Subaru, the battery should be charged to 80 percent in less than an hour when using DC fast charging in public spaces. This EV will come with EyeSight, and safety features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and lane change assist features. Additionally, it should also include adaptive cruise control. Expect a new feature as well called safe exit assist. This lets passengers know of approaching vehicles when they are getting out of the car for additional safety.
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Volvo C40 Recharge
Cost: $58,750
The C40 Recharge has the benefits of the ride height of an SUV with the cargo space of a hatchback car. Volvo states that this EV is lower and sleeker than their XC40 Recharge. This one also has a little different front end along with a new rearview and leather-free interior. The C40 can be expected to include a dual-motor setup and 78-kilowatt-hour battery with approximately more than 200 miles.
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Toyota Bz4x
Cost: $43,215
Designed alongside the Subaru Solterra, the Toyota bz4x was created on a shared platform. This EV is similarly sized to the Venza and has two powertrain configurations. The front-drive version of this SUV has a single 201 hp motor and uses a 71.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery which is great for about a 252-mile range. The all-wheel-drive version utilizes two mores to make a combined 214 hp output with a 72.8 kWh battery. There is a large battery pack under the floor that lowers the center of gravity and should contribute to the handling agility. This EV is going to be the first of the Toyotas to include the feature Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which adds more functions to the expansive TSS 2.5 suite. By 2025, there will be six other models to be introduced.
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Rivian R1T and R1S
R1T Cost: $79,500-$85,000
R2T Cost: $84,500-$90,000
The R1T has been said to have a range of up to 400 miles with 750 hp and is an all-electric pickup. With this vehicle, you can expect 11,000 pounds of towing capacity with acceleration that goes from 0 to 60 mph in what they say is 3 seconds. There is also a transverse tunnel that runs between the bed and the cab for storage. As for the R1S, this is a three-row luxury SUV. This company is a startup that is still making a name for itself but has absolutely attracted the attention of large brands such as Amazon, Ford, and Cox Automotive.
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Maserati MC20
Cost: $212,000
This EV version of the car is said to have a powertrain that can reach more than 700 hp, which is far more powerful than the gas-powered model, despite the fact it is approximately 220 pounds heavier. There will be three different electric motors to help deliver this performance, including one on the front axle and two more in the back. The acceleration has been promised to go from 0 to 62 mph in only two seconds. The design could be a little different, as the EV version doesn’t need any air intakes.
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Polestar 3
Cost: $75,000
Before Polestar 3 came out, it was thought that Polestar 2 was one of the best EVs around. This EV will share a platform with the 2022 Volvo XC90, as they both were manufactured by the same parent company. Transmission tunnels are no longer needed to run the length of the chassis due to a renovation to the interior design, so you can expect a flat floor cabin and a higher seating position in this vehicle. The miles should be approximately 373, and they have stated that with fast charging, it should be able to hit 80 percent charge after only 20 minutes. The driving characteristics of the Polestar 3 are believed to be much sportier than the Volvo.
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Lotus Evija
Cost: $2 million
Lotus is finally releasing their version of an EV this year. It seems as if it was worth the wait, as the design is breathtaking. This is the first British all-electric hypercar that has a quad-motor powertrain that can put out about 2,000 hp. It should be able to go from 0 to 186 mph in a matter of fewer than nine seconds. While the speed does increase significantly fast, it does top out at a little more than 200 mph. One of the only downsides is that you only get 215 miles off of a single charge. Only 130 cars will be made. You will be able to find the 70-kWh and 680 kg battery tucked away behind the seats, as opposed to the normal spot on the floor. Due to this design, the floor, seats, and roof drop to a height of 105 mm.
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Bollinger B1
Cost: $125,000
This completely electric SUV can be converted from a half to full cab due to the all-aluminum chassis within the HSLA steel rollover structure. It has a boxy look that has certainly been drawing attention. You will only be able to enjoy 200 miles of range with the 142-kWh battery, but you will be able to go from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.5 seconds thanks to the dual motors that deliver 614 hp. This SUV tops out at 100 mph. What is different about this EV is that many features are removable, such as glass, doors, roof panels, windshield, and rear seats. In addition, you will have a Bluetooth-enabled stereo system.
Electric cars are becoming increasingly sought after because of their energy efficiency and sleek looks. They are not only beneficial to keeping the environment healthy, but they have exciting technological features that seem to be unmatched in normal gasoline vehicles. Even though they are run-off batteries like appliances, they still have the same amount of power if not more than run-of-the-mill vehicles, allowing you to enjoy your ride while still protecting the environment.
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