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More electric-car news and reviews
Once consumers became able to play music wirelessly, Bluetooth speaker manufacturers seemed to spring into existence from seemingly nowhere, filling a product vacuum that one might have assumed would have been filled by traditional component stereo makers.
And now, as the auto industry begins its inevitable transition to building electric vehicles, we find that never-before-heard-of makers are showing up at auto shows with concept vehicles that we are assured will see production in just a couple of years.
Are these companies a real threat to traditional carmakers? Maybe, maybe not. As Tesla continues to struggle to profitably build electric cars and crossovers, we’re forced to recognize how difficult it can be to enter the new-vehicle market as an upstart manufacturer.
That said, not every one of these companies will fail, and that’s why we present them here. Below are nine electric-car companies you may not have heard of yet that are planning to sell cars in the U.S. relatively soon.
Do any of these companies have a real shot at success? Let us know what you think. The place to leave comments is down below.
Guide to Electric Vehicle Charging
Bollinger Motors
Headquarters: Hobart, New York
Website: BollingerMotors.com
In the pipeline: B1 SUV, B2 pickup
Projected production start: 2020 (B1)
Notes: Focus on ruggedness, off-road performance. Any similarity in design to certain high-end British off-road vehicles is absolutely intentional.
2018 Los Angeles Auto Show: Mitsubishi e-Evolution Concept
Byton Technology
Headquarters: Nanjing, China
Website: Byton.com
In the pipeline: M-Byte crossover, K-Byte sedan
Projected production start: Mid 2019 (M-Byte)
Notes: The Byton team is positioning the company as a direct competitor to Tesla. As such, expect the M-Byte and K-Byte to be priced accordingly, starting around $80,000.
2018 Los Angeles Auto Show: Volkswagen I.D. BUZZ CARGO Concept
Faraday Future
Headquarters: Newark, California
Website: FF.com
In the pipeline: FF 91 crossover
Projected production start: Mid 2019
Notes: Faraday is positioning the FF 91 as an “ultra-luxury EV.” Expect the 91 to be priced at more than $100,000.
Fisker Inc.
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
Website: FiskerInc.com
In the pipeline: EMotion EV sedan
Projected production start: 2021 or later
Notes: Fisker is promising solid-state batteries, a technological leap many observers believe is at least a decade off.
Lucid Motors
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
Website: LucidMotors.com
In the pipeline: Air sedan
Projected production start: Mid 2019
Notes: Lucid has entered a $1 billion funding arrangement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
Test Drive: Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier
Polestar
Headquarters: Gothenburg, Sweden
Website: Polestar.com
In the pipeline: Polestar 1 sports car, Polestar 2 crossover
Projected production start: Mid 2019 (Polestar 1)
Notes: Polestar is Volvo’s new electric-vehicle brand. Production of the Polestar 1 is slated to be limited to 500 a year. The Polestar 2 will be the brand’s first regular-production vehicle.
Test Drive: 2018 Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription
Rimac Automobili
Headquarters: Sveta Nedelja, Croatia
Website: Rimac-Automobili.com
In the pipeline: C_Two sports car
Projected production start: 2020
Notes: The C_Two is a follow up to the company’s Concept One sports car–only eight of which were produced, and none of which were sold in the U.S. Rimac plans to produce 150 examples of the C_Two, including limited U.S. availability.
Living With an Electric Car: Our Year With the Kia Soul EV
Rivian
Headquarters: Plymouth, Michigan
Website: Rivian.com
In the pipeline: R1S crossover, R1T pickup
Projected production start: 2020 (R1S)
Notes: To produce the R1S and R1T, Rivian has purchased the shuttered Mitsubishi plant in Normal, Illinois.
2018 Los Angeles Auto Show: Rivian R1T Pickup and R1S SUV Electric Concepts
SF Motors
Headquarters: Santa Clara, California
Website: SFmotors.com
In the pipeline: SF 5 crossover, SF 7 crossover
Projected production start: 2019
Notes: SF Motors is wholly owned by Chongqing Sokon Industry Group, a Chinese manufacturing holding company.
