Top Five: Electric Cars we are looking forward to seeing in 2020

We have already highlighted that the future of the car industry remains Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric. However, COVID-19 has certainly thrown a viral spanner in the works, and we have learned that some of the CASE topics are seen as greater priorities than others.

Our Top Fives have already looked at how tough it is to get a vehicle-sharing scheme off the ground, and given a history lesson on the road to autonomy. This week, we looking to what is ahead for the rest of 2020, starting with five electric vehicles we cannot wait to see hit the road.

#1 – Tesla Model Y

Taking similar underpinnings to the Model S sedan and sending them skyward, the Tesla Model Y crossover has seating for up to seven people and features a similarly minimal aesthetic to its counterpart.

The Model Y is available to order in two specs – Long Range AWD that can sprint from 0-62 mph in 5.1 seconds and has a range of 314 miles, or the Performance, that is quicker from 0-62 mph – taking 3.7 seconds – but trades that for a shorter range of 298 miles.

Supercharging is on a pay per use basis, adding the equivalent of 168 miles of range in 15 minutes, and all models have the option of Tesla’s Autopilot ADAS.

#2 – Volkswagen ID3

The long-awaited first vehicle to use the VW Group’s MEB modular EV platform, the VW ID3 was due to arrive in March, but that timeline has been pushed back a little.

The ID3 represents one of two prongs of VW’s attack, with the latest VW Golf 8 adopting 48V mild hybrid tech, while the ID3 – and its forthcoming siblings – are EV only.

There are three battery options to choose from – 45kWh, 58kWh or 77kWh – and can charge at up to 100kWh. Maximum range with the biggest battery is 340 miles. Other features of note include a full panoramic roof to light up the minimalist interior, and the option of an augmented reality head-up display for the driver.

#3 – BMW i4

Having made huge headway with the i3 and i8, BMW ran out of charge, but is seeking to get back on track with the i4 sedan. Likely to make its debut in production form late in 2020, the i4 has already been previewed with the BMW Concept i4 showcar that arrived in March 2020.

The showcar tells us what the car will look like, oversized front grille and all, and reveals the fact that a BMW-designed 530hp eMotor and 550kg 80kWh battery take care of power duties.

0-62mph is pegged at around four seconds, range is around 370 miles, and the car can be recharged from 0-80 per cent at 150kW in around 35 minutes. The showcar also introduced BMW’s new interior Curved Display.

#4 – Rivian R1S and R1T

Taking things up a heavy-duty notch, US-based Rivian has developed its own proprietary truck platform. Featuring one eMotor per wheel, the Rivian R1S SUV and R1T truck boast some fairly incredible performance claims, including the ability to speed from 0-62mph in a little over three seconds, a range of over 400 miles and a towing weight of 3,500kg.

Buyers can preorder now for $1,000, and deliveries start later this year. Ford invested $500m in Rivian, and was planning a Lincoln SUV based on the Rivian platform.

However, this has now been cancelled, but Ford maintains an interest in the firm. Rivian is also designing and building 100,000 delivery vans for Amazon as part of a $700m deal. These will be on the road by 2030.

#5 – Mustang Mach-E

Ford has a rather scattergun approach to its electric vehicle strategy, making lots of investments and joint ventures in a bid to get its EVs on the road ASAP. It will build two electric SUVs on the VW MEB platform for Europe; it is likely to use Rivian’s knowledge for its trucks, but also has its own EV platform that goes into service with the Mustang Mach-E crossover.

Two basic Mach-E setups are available for delivery at the end of 2020 – the Mach-E and the AWD. Both models come with a regular 75.7kWh or extended range 98.8kWh battery.

The rear-drive Mach-E will do 280 miles in standard range form, or 370 miles extended, while the all-wheel drive version does 260 miles or 335 miles depending on battery choice. The extended range pack can charge at 150kW, while the standard one drops this to 115kW.