The Intensifying Battle for the Best Electric SUV
The ever-growing popularity for electric vehicles has truly taken off in recent years. As electric cars become more affordable and stylish, as well as our increased consciousness of the effects our vehicles have on the environment, electric cars have become a strong alternative. A ban put on new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, has increased the urgency for the production of electric cars even more so, as the recent announcement reveals.
Initially associated with small, sporty and streamlined features, electric cars have come a long way. Living up to this accurate stereotype, the 2008 Roadster that Tesla released went hand-in-hand with it. This model was the first to travel 200 miles per charge for an all-electric vehicle using only lithium-ion battery cells. Setting the benchmark high, the Roadster was the catalyst behind a new era of the electric car market.
Taking the lead once again, in 2016, Tesla released the very first pure electric SUV vehicle – the Tesla Model X. A few years ago, Tesla was the leading contender in the electric SUV market. However, since then, new market entrants have posed some worthy competition.
The Mitsubishi Outlander outsold the smaller and more traditional electric vehicles in 2019, such as the Nissan Leaf, with its electric vehicle fleet size of 41,265, proving the rise of the electric SUV is in full swing.
Despite our love for SUVs in the UK, the post-Brexit pollution legislation will make the low-emissions limit more difficult to achieve than ever before. The likes of Italy who favour smaller and more fuel-efficient cars has often been the catalyst for emission cuts, however once we leave the EU, we will have to find other ways.
Put simply, if we want our SUV love-affair to remain, we will have to take a dive into the electric SUV market. Are you considering making the switch? Continue reading to find out more about the electric SUV evolution.
Audi E-Tron
If you’re willing to splash the cash on the car of your dreams, then the Audi E-Tron will tick all your boxes. Living up to the luxury that Audi vehicles promise to be, this electric SUV vehicle sets the bar high with their sleek and stylish interior along with a touchscreen infotainment system.
On full charge, the car can go up to 204 miles. In addition, these Audi’s are prepared for every encounter it may face with a speedy 10-minute charge time and off-road lighting.
Mercedes-Benz EQC
The Mercedes Benz EQC brings a rather sleek, silent, and sophisticated electric SUV model onto the market. Silence, efficiency, safety, and style, this Mercedes vehicle, as well as many others from the range including the Mercedes GLC, will satisfy all qualities we desire to have in all our cars.
The smoothness and comfort at the centre of this design is unrivalled. This vehicle is no stranger to flexibility; at 220V, the battery charge time is 41 hours, and, at 440V, the charge time is 0.67 hours.
Hyundai Kona EV
Opting for the Hyundai Kona EV is a wise choice to make if price and practicality are the main priorities. Considering the relatively low price tag that is attached to this car, it can go 258 miles when fully charged and accelerates from 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds!
This vehicle may not have as many high-tech features as the more expensive models on the market, but its impressive design has already earned the title of 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, so it is clearly doing something right.
Hybrid creations: BMW X5 xDrive45e
From the significant increase in battery capacity from 24kWh to 9.2kWh, to the inclusion of an extra two cylinders and an overall economical drive, the BMW X5 xDrive45e is the ultimate hybrid model. For many, taking the plunge and switching from traditional fuelled cars to entirely electric-powered vehicles is too much of a jump. Therefore, having a hybrid could be the next best thing.
Having an outstandingly smooth electric to hybrid switch over, it is hardly more noticeable than a gear change. The demand for this Hybrid SUV has skyrocketed as a result of the upgrade from its previous four-cylinder form and has now become one of the most recommended models on the market.
There is truly an option out there for everyone, thanks to the speedy expansion of the SUV market in recent years. There has never been a better time to invest in an electric car after the introduction of the post-Brexit legislation and the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) policies. Make your vehicle an SUV if space, off-road ability, and functionality are your main concerns.
