The demand for electric cars shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, and you’ll have seen in The best electric cars of 2021 blog that more new fully electric cars were registered in the UK last year than in the previous five years combined.
Designs for new EV models are being announced all the time, with production dates being pencilled in for 2022, and we’ve rounded up the EVs we think will be in and around the top five by the time 2023 rolls round:
Cupra Born
Cupra’s first full EV builds on the brand’s work with the Formentor, offering comfort and solid handling in a sportier package. It’s also just different enough to its sister car, the Volkswagen ID.3.
Cupra started life as an offshoot from SEAT, and launching the Formentor was a big enough success that it now stands as a constructor in its own right. We hope some of that Formentor magic will rub off on the Born!
The 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds is pretty swift, but the Cupra is strongest in the shove from 0-30mph, punching out of slow speed corners.
Battery: 58kWh
Range: 263 miles
Charging time: 5 - 80% top-up takes 31 minutes, home charge takes six hours and 15 minutes
Mercedes EQE
The latest all-electric saloon from Mercedes looks set to hit the roads in 2022, and it’s looking like a smaller, more affordable version of luxurious EQS model.
The EQE comes with its own range of 19 to 21-inch alloy wheels, and the swooping roofline, curvy doors and chrome trim mean it looks just like the EQS.
Roomier than E-Class saloon, the EQE a great alternative to the likes of the Tesla Model S, plus its range will take you further than the Model S’s Long Range.
Mercedes’ green credentials go one step further as well – if you select your charging station using the Mercedes Me Charge app, you can choose to recharge using renewable electricity.
Battery: 90kWh
Range: 410 miles
Charging time: 190 miles added in 15 minutes (200kW charging), 155 miles using 170kW
Polestar 3
Polestar’s third production model promises to be “one of the most climate-responsible cars ever made” and a rival to the new Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X.
Taking design cues from its Precept luxury saloon concept, but tailoring them onto a taller SUV body, teaser images showcase the swooping shape, which includes a similar T-shaped headlight profile and sloping bonnet.
The Polestar 3 will arrive at around the same time as the all-electric version of the next-generation Volvo XC90, which is also due to land this year.
Both cars will share the same chassis and battery technology, while a range of 310 miles has been rumoured for the Polestar 3.
Sony Vision-S 02 Concept EV
Here’s Sony’s second electric concept car — and it sounds like it’s seriously considering building it in 2022.
The Sony Vision-S 02 SUV takes the form of a large electric SUV like the Tesla Model X, Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQC.
Of course, being a Sony product, the Vision-S SUV 02 is teeming with technology — both in terms of driving and entertainment.
Semi-autonomous tech to rival Tesla’s Autopilot feature in the designs, along with driver monitoring features to make sure you’re paying attention.
A number of synthetic ‘engine’ sounds will be on offer and the digital displays are customisable. 5G technology will also allow for over-the-air software updates, meaning you can play PlayStation games remotely as well, if you wanted to!
Rivian R1S
The seven-seater Rivian R1S sport-utility vehicle will be the second production vehicle from Rivian, a new electric-vehicle manufacturer based in the US.
Taking direct aim at the Tesla Model X – the only other three-row all-electric SUV currently available – the Rivian R1S will also be cheaper than the Model X when it goes on sale.
Rivian has revealed the R1S shares many of its attributes with the R1T pickup, and much like the R1T, the 135kWh battery should deliver around 300 miles of driving per charge.
With 800bhp on tap, the R1S boasts a 0-60mph time of just 3.0 seconds, with electric motors at each wheel giving it all-wheel drive and impressive off-road capability.
