The plug-ins are coming. Will anyone buy them?
Tesla's electric vehicles, plus the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Bolt make up a tiny fraction of U.S. light-vehicle sales. But they'll have plenty of competition in the next two years, with more than 60 electric and plug-in hybrid models slated to reach dealerships through 2020.
Ford Motor Co. is making a serious push into electrified vehicles, committing to spend $11 billion on a product blitz beginning with a Mustang-inspired crossover EV due in 2020. It seeks to have 40 hybrids and EVs on the market by 2022.
General Motors, meanwhile, has laid out plans for more than 20 EVs globally by 2023. Nissan plans to launch eight new EVs by early 2023 and electrify most of Infiniti's lineup starting in 2021.
Plenty of startups are trying to horn in on the fledgling EV market as well. Faraday Future seeks to begin production of an ultraluxury EV early next year, and Lucid Motors last month secured a $1 billion investment from Saudi Arabia to help make a 1,000-hp car with a 400-mile range a reality in 2020.
Here are nearly 100 plug-in vehicles that Automotive News has reported to be in the product pipeline and expected to debut through 2022.
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2018
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Audi Q8: The new five-seat crossover sportback appearing in U.S. dealerships late this year will offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It's likely to be freshened in 2022.
Hyundai Kona: The brand's first "cute ute" hit stores in the first quarter. An electric version will get a targeted rollout in the fourth quarter, looking slightly different from its gasoline counterpart. Instead of using Hyundai's cascading grille, the electric Kona gets a closed-up front with a debossed design. A freshening of both versions may happen in 2021.
Jaguar I-Pace: The luxury crossover EV lands in showrooms in November. Waymo has ordered 20,000 for its self-driving fleet. It has a 0 to 60 mph time of less than 5 seconds, off-road capability and a range of nearly 240 miles on a charge. A higher-performance version is rumored for around 2021.
Subaru Crosstrek: Subaru's increasingly popular subcompact crossover will be available as a plug-in hybrid for the 2019 model year. It will feature partner Toyota Motor Corp.'s hybrid system combined with Subaru's four-cylinder, direct-injection boxer engine, all-wheel drive and a new transmission. It will also have unique styling, Subaru says. The Japan-made vehicle, expected to debut next month at the Los Angeles auto show and go on sale by year end, initially will be sold only in U.S. states that have adopted California's zero-emission vehicle regulations.
Volvo S60: The revamped S60 will be available this year with a range of four-cylinder gasoline engines as well as two versions of its gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain and a diesel engine.
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2019
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Aston Martin Rapide E: Aston will turn its four-door model into an EV. The Rapide E is set to launch by the end of 2019 with just 155 units planned. The company has not released performance data or prices for the Rapide E, but CEO Andy Palmer has said the car will cost around $260,000.
Audi A6/S6: The sedans are due to be redesigned in 2019, and an e-tron plug-in hybrid version is expected to be available in the U.S.
Audi e-tron: The awd crossover EV will go on sale in 2019 in the U.S. to lead Audi's bid to capture EV market share in the premium segment. Audi says the e-tron, which is similar in size to a Q7, will have a range of nearly 250 miles from its 95-kilowatt-hour battery and start at $75,795 for the base trim. The e-tron Sportback, with a more raked rear roofline, will arrive in late 2019, followed by a four-door GT version.
Bentley Bentayga: The Bentayga Hybrid, a plug-in variant that debuted in March at the Geneva auto show, is to go on sale in 2019. Bentley's first electrified vehicle uses Porsche's V-6 plug-in hybrid technology to combine a 3.0-liter engine with an electric motor that gives the crossover an all-electric range of 31 miles.
Bentley Continental GT: Arriving in mid-2019, a redesigned third-generation Continental GT will ride on VW Group's MSB platform, which also underpins the Porsche Panamera. Previous reports point to a Continental GT plug-in hybrid getting a V-6 engine from the VW corporate parts bin, as well as electric motors, battery systems, plug-in hybrid controllers and wiring systems.
Bollinger B1: New York startup Bollinger Motors, has partnered with a Michigan engineering firm to bring its B1 electric utility truck to market in late 2019. Bollinger says the awd truck, with an all-aluminum chassis and body, will offer 200 miles of range from its 120-kWh battery pack and have an adjustable suspension that can vary its ground clearance from 10 to 20 inches.
Elio P4: Elio Motors originally promised to launch its three-wheeled, 84 mpg car in 2012. The vehicle is still not out, and Elio now says it's seeking a 2019 launch. If that happens, the car will be built at the former GM plant in Louisiana and cost $7,450.
Faraday Future FF 91: Faraday had to backtrack from its plan for a $1 billion electric car plant in Nevada, but it has unveiled a preproduction version of the FF 91 that it wants to start building in the first half of 2019 at a former tire factory it's leasing in California. The crossover has a range of more than 300 miles and a six-figure price tag.
Ferrari plug-in hybrid: In March at the Geneva auto show, then-CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed that a V-8 plug-in hybrid would arrive in 2019, but it remains unclear which model will get the designation.
Ford Escape: After discontinuing the Escape Hybrid in 2012, Ford plans to launch a plug-in hybrid version of the Escape when the crossover's fourth generation arrives in the second half of next year.
Genesis GV80: Genesis unveiled the GV80 concept as a fuel cell vehicle at the 2017 New York auto show. Officials say a production version could come at the end of 2019 or early 2020, and fuel cell or plug-in hybrid variants might be in store.
Hyundai Sonata: A freshened plug-in version of Hyundai's midsize sedan arrived this summer, along with a $1,300 price cut from the 2017 model. A redesign could be on the way next year for the 2020 model year.
Kia Niro: The crossover is available as a plug-in hybrid. The Niro EV, with a 64-kWh battery that Kia says will deliver a range of 239 miles, will arrive in the U.S. next year. It will come with several safety features to protect pedestrians. The plug-in hybrid would be due for a freshening in 2020, followed by the EV in 2021.
Kia Soul: The Soul EV gained a more powerful battery this year that improved the car's EPA-estimated range to 111 miles from 93 miles. A redesign is expected for the 2020 model year.
Land Rover Road Rover: Land Rover is rumored to be working on a pumped-up (think Audi All-Road) electric off-road wagon that could debut late next year. It will likely use a version of the platform and drivetrain underpinning the Jaguar I-Pace. The Road Rover name has been trademarked. Such a vehicle would be the first wagon from Land Rover.
Lincoln Aviator: Lincoln will debut a three-row, rear-wheel-drive crossover in the second half of 2019. It will include gasoline and plug-in hybrid options.
Lincoln Corsair: Lincoln freshened the MKC compact crossover this year with a new grille and a host of new technology features. It will undergo a redesign — and name change to Corsair — in the second half of 2019, when it also will get a plug-in hybrid variant.
Maserati Levante: Maserati's first crossover will get a plug-in hybrid version in late 2019 to join the Trofeo edition debuting this year.
Mercedes-Benz EQC: Daimler is developing a family of long-range EVs with standalone designs that will launch under the EQ subbrand. The EQC, Mercedes' first electric compact crossover, could arrive in the U.S. in the second half of 2019. It will have two electric motors, claim a 310-mile range and boast acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in less than 5 seconds.
Mercedes-Benz eSprinter: A redesigned Sprinter large van will go on sale in November. Production of an EV version called the eSprinter could begin in 2019.
Mercedes-Benz S 560e: A re-engineered and renamed plug-in hybrid version of the S-class sedan will arrive next year.
Mini Electric: A new electric Mini will go on sale in the U.S. in late 2019. A new body style is not expected.
Nissan Leaf: Nissan's battery-powered car was redesigned for the 2018 model year and will carry over with minimal changes for the next two years. But a second version of the car will appear in early 2019, containing a new battery with a significantly longer driving range and a higher price. That extended-range Leaf is expected to offer approximately 225 miles of battery range, 50 percent more than the current Leaf.
Polestar 1: The 600-hp plug-in hybrid coupe from Volvo's new performance electrification brand has a 93-mile electric-only range. Pricing is expected to start at $155,000. It will roll off the line at the company's Chengdu, China, plant in mid-2019, with U.S. deliveries following shortly.
Polestar 2: The electric sedan will be Polestar's first volume model, with 400 hp and an estimated range of 350 miles. The car will be based on Polestar's compact modular platform, the same platform underpinning the Volvo XC40 crossover. It will be shown ahead of the 2019 Geneva auto show and is expected to arrive at dealerships in late 2019 or early 2020.
Porsche Taycan: Porsche's first electric sports car, derived from the Mission E concept, will go on sale in the U.S. late next year. The Taycan, powered by two synchronous motors generating more than 600 hp, can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds and pass 124 mph in less than 12 seconds. The car has a driving range of more than 300 miles on a single charge. Porsche has said it will sell an EV based on the Mission E Cross Turismo wagon concept. By 2025, Porsche says half of its vehicles will be sold with a plug.
Tesla Model 3: The much-anticipated $35,000 base-price version of the Model 3 will go into production in the first quarter of 2019, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Musk has said Tesla would have started production of the affordable electric car that is intended to fulfill the promise of his 2006 "top secret master plan," but the company needs to achieve its target production rate for the pricier Model 3 versions first.
Tesla Model S and Model X:Tesla is expected to freshen the interior of its Model S sedan and Model X crossover in the third quarter of 2019. The new interior will harmonize the company's older products with the Model 3 by consolidating controls into a single horizontally oriented touch screen.
Tesla Model Y: A crossover based on the Model 3 is to be unveiled between late 2018 and mid-2019. The Model Y would be built at a new factory, with the start of production targeted for 2019.
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2020
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Audi A7/S7/RS 7: A new generation of Audi's fastback sedan will arrive in 2020. The redesign will be closely based on the Prologue concept series. Redesigns of the sporty S7 and high-performance RS 7 variants will follow, as will an e-tron plug-in hybrid model.
Audi compact crossover EV: Audi has confirmed plans to launch an electric equivalent to the A3 in early 2020.
Bentley Flying Spur:Bentley has hinted at a plug-in hybrid variant of the Flying Spur after it redesigns the gasoline-powered sedan. That's likely happening in 2019, so 2020 is logical timing for the plug-in.
BMW iX3: The electric variant of the X3 is expected to have a 270-hp electric motor and a 70 kWh battery delivering a range of 250 miles. The iX3 could go into production in the second quarter of 2020.
Byton M Byte: Chinese EV startup Byton intends to start testing SUV prototypes in the U.S. by the end of this year. It wants to launch the M Byte, with a range of 323 miles, in China next year before expanding to Europe and the U.S. in 2020.
Chevrolet Bolt-based crossover: Expect a Bolt-based crossover coming to Chevy in 2020, if not before.
Chrysler Portal: The electric minivan will go into production in 2020. It's based on the popular Portal concept Fiat Chrysler Automobiles debuted in 2017 at CES in Las Vegas. The concept had a retractable steering wheel and was capable of autonomous driving. Those features are unlikely to be ready for the production launch, but look for the Portal to maintain its sleek, reconfigurable interior styling and perhaps even its sliding French door design.
Fiat 500e: A planned redesign of FCA's first EV in 2020 could improve the money-losing model's technology and range.
Ford crossover EV: Ford plans a "Mustang-inspired," long-range electric crossover to arrive in 2020. It was tentatively named the Mach 1, but that's likely to change. Production was originally slated for Flat Rock, Mich., but Ford this year decided on Mexico instead.
Honda Clarity: The Clarity plug-in hybrid went on sale last year, and the Clarity Electric went on sale at select California and Oregon Honda dealerships in May. They're expected to be freshened in 2020.
Jeep Wrangler: The Wrangler will receive an optional plug-in hybrid powertrain in 2020.
Lamborghini Aventador: Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali has said the successors to the Aventador and Huracan will come only as plug-in hybrids. An Aventador redesign is unlikely until 2020 at the earliest. It will have a normally aspirated V-12 coupled with a plug-in hybrid.
Lamborghini Urus: The Urus will hold the distinction of being the first electrified Lamborghini when a plug-in hybrid variant appears in early 2020.
Lucid Air: Lucid Motors secured funding from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund to the tune of $1 billion last month. That's designed to help the company launch its first vehicle, the 1,000-hp Air, in 2020 from a plant in Arizona. The Air will start at $52,000 and boast a 400-mile range.
Maserati Alfieri EV: A three-motor, awd electric version of the Alfieri sport coupe will debut in 2020.
Mazda EV: Mazda crafted a timeline that calls for a mild hybrid in 2019, an electric vehicle in 2020 and a plug-in hybrid that might appear in 2021. It's not yet known if these will be crossovers or cars. Mazda, Denso and Toyota signed a joint technology development contract for EVs last September that will likely contribute to Mazda's EV rollout.
Mercedes-Benz EQA: An electric version of Mercedes' A-class sedan could go on sale in the U.S. in the second half of 2020. The EQA hatchback will ride on the MFA platform and have a range of up to 250 miles on a full charge.
Mercedes-Benz EQS: An electric version of the S class could roll out in 2020.
Mercedes-Benz GLA: The GLA will be redesigned in the second half of 2020. A plug-in hybrid will begin production in 2020 and a mild-hybrid version will go into production 2021.
Mercedes-Benz GLB: Mercedes will introduce the compact crossover in the second half of 2019. It will be slightly larger than the GLA and built on the MFA platform. A plug-in hybrid and a mild-hybrid version are expected to go into production in 2020.
Mitsubishi plug-in/electric crossovers: The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance said it plans to launch 12 electric models by 2022 using "common electric vehicle platforms and components for multiple segments." Mitsubishi has hinted that new plug-in hybrid and electric crossover models could happen. The alliance forecasts that 70 percent of its EV volume will be based on shared platforms by 2022. A new family of EV motors and batteries will be introduced around 2020 and shared within the alliance.
Nissan IMx: Nissan has confirmed that a crossover EV will join the Leaf in the near future, possibly as early as 2020, as one of the eight new battery-powered models planned. The IMx, first shown at the Tokyo auto show last fall as a concept, also is expected to contain the next step in Nissan's autonomous-drive technologies.
Polestar 3: The company is developing an electric SUV. Executives hope it will debut in 2020, but that could change based on reception of the Polestar 1 and 2.
Smart ForTwo: The battery-electric Coupe and Cabrio versions from Smart are the first series-produced models of parent Mercedes-Benz's EQ product and technology brand. A redesigned electric coupe and convertible went on sale last summer, which upgraded range, power and cabin space. The ForTwo models could get a freshening in the second half of 2020.
Tesla Roadster: Tesla unveiled a flagship performance car in concept form in November. It said a 200- kWh battery pack will give the Roadster a 600-mile range, a 250 mph top speed and 1.9-second acceleration from 0 to 60 mph. With three electric motors, a retractable hardtop and room to seat four, the $200,000 base-price Roadster is scheduled to enter production in 2020.
Volkswagen I.D. Crozz: The roomy electric crossover will feature awd when it arrives in the U.S. in 2020 on VW's MEB EV architecture.
Volvo XC40: The new crossover went on sale in March. An electric version is expected in 2020.
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2021
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BMW 4 series: A redesign of the four-door Gran Coupe is expected in the second half of 2021. A mild-hybrid (48-volt) version of the 4 series will follow the redesign. Plug-in hybrid and electric versions of the Gran Coupe also are possible.
BMW 8 series: The 8 series is returning to U.S. dealerships this fall in coupe form, followed by a convertible in the second quarter of 2019. A plug-in hybrid version could arrive in 2021.
BMW i4: The EV will launch in the first half of 2021 with an EPA range of about 300 miles on a full charge. The four-door coupe is based on the i Vision Dynamics concept unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt auto show. The i4 will be based on BMW's CLAR cluster architecture, a lightweight modular system.
BMW iNEXT: A planned extension of the i subbrand previously called the i5 has morphed into the iNEXT. BMW says it will introduce the iNEXT electric crossover in the second half of 2021. It will have semi-autonomous driving capabilities and a range of more than 310 miles on a full charge, according to Autoweek.
Chevrolet compact crossover EV: A Chevy compact crossover EV, similar in size to the Equinox, is expected as early as 2021.
Genesis electric sedan: The brand said last year that it planned to bring an electric sedan with a 310-mile range to market in 2021, joining the increasingly crowded pool of would-be Tesla competitors.
Hyundai Kona: A freshening of the gasoline and electric versions may happen in 2021.
Hyundai Santa Fe: Hyundai confirmed in March during the Geneva auto show that hybrid and plug-in hybrid models of the Santa Fe are on the way. A few weeks before that, Hyundai said during a media event in Korea that a hybrid possibly could debut when the Santa Fe is freshened, which would be around 2021.
Infiniti Q50: Infiniti's volume sedan should be ready for a redesign in 2021. That timing would align with Infiniti's plan to begin introducing its electrified vehicles.
Mazda plug-in hybrid: Mazda's electrification timeline calls for a plug-in hybrid around 2021 to follow its EV in 2020.
Mercedes-Benz E class: A plug-in version of the E-class sedan could launch in the first half of 2021.
Subaru EV: Subaru is developing an electric vehicle, due in 2021. The EV, built on Subaru's flexible platform, likely will be a variant of an existing nameplate, but it is unclear which one.
Tesla Model S and Model X:Tesla is expected to bring out redesigned versions of both vehicles in 2021.
Tesla small car: Musk has said Tesla could build a car costing $25,000 as early as 2021. This contradicted his "Master Plan, Part Deux," which stated that "a lower cost vehicle than Model 3 is unlikely to be necessary." Tesla has released no more details about the lower-cost car.
Volkswagen I.D.: The small electric hatchback will arrive in 2021. VW's EV lineup will feature onboard navigation with augmented reality.
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2022
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BMW i8: The i8 coupe and roadster plug-in hybrids are expected to be redesigned in 2022, when they could move to full electric.
Cadillac EVs: Cadillac was expected to get its share of EVs under a GM plan to introduce 20 EVs by 2023. An influx of such vehicles for the U.S. could begin in 2021 or, more likely, 2022, based on announced plans. Early expectations include a Tesla performance competitor and compact and midsize crossovers.
Chevrolet Bolt EV: The Bolt likely will move to GM's new EV platform in 2022.
Chevrolet compact crossover EV: Reports that Chevy would pull the plug on its Volt plug-in hybrid may have been premature. The car is expected to remain primarily as it is after a re-engineering due in showrooms this year until a redesign and/or repositioning into a crossover in the early 2020s.
Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Terrain: Expect a freshening in the early 2020s, including a plug-in hybrid version of the Equinox and possibly the Terrain.
Chevrolet/GMC full-size SUVs: The Chevy Tahoe and Suburban and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL will be redesigned in 2020, with hybrid variants expected as early as 2022.
Fiat 500e Giardiniera: A larger, four-door electric city car variant of the 500e will debut in 2022. It should help spread the costs of electrification that made the 500e a money loser.
Honda Pilot: Honda plans a plug-in hybrid version of the Pilot, new spy photos indicated this summer. It may appear as a 2023 model.
Lamborghini Huracan: The Huracan will get a redesign into a plug-in hybrid in 2021 or, more likely, 2022.
Lincoln crossover EV: Lincoln could introduce a long-range electric crossover in 2022, mirroring Ford's version coming in 2020.
Maserati Levante: A redesign is scheduled for 2022, when an electric version will be added.
Maserati Quattroporte: The Quattroporte will be redesigned in 2022 and be joined by an electric variant.
Mercedes-Benz EQGLE: The EQGLE could arrive in 2022, according to mercedesblog.com, which said the base EQGLE will be rwd powered by a 170-kW motor. A seven-seat electric GLC could launch in early 2023 and use the electric propulsion system from the EQGLE, according to the site.
Porsche Macan: A coupe body style of the Macan could arrive in 2022, likely as an EV. A plug-in hybrid version of the coupe also could arrive then.
Tesla pickup: Musk has discussed launching an electric pickup, possibly based on his proposed Semi. Musk has said the pickup would seat as many as six people, have up to 500 miles of range, tow up to 300,000 pounds, have awd and dynamic suspension, and be able to power 240-volt tools. Tesla has not shown a concept version of the pickup or released an expected production date, although it has said it would produce the pickup after the Model Y launch, which is scheduled for 2020.
Volkswagen I.D. Buzz: The retro-styled three-row electric minivan is due in the U.S. in 2022.
Volvo XC60: Volvo's midsize crossover was redesigned in 2017 for the 2018 model year, when Volvo also introduced a T8 plug-in hybrid variant. A midcycle freshening is due around 2022.