All across the world, sales of electric vehicles are steadily on the rise. As recent automotive technologies continue to migrate in this direction, many manufacturers and drivers want to invest in cars that do more than just get you from point A to point B. The electric luxury car must not only comply with environmental standards. It must also make driving fun.
Tesla has already taken steps in this direction, debuting EVs that continue to top popularity lists to date. Nowadays other automotive manufacturers are catching up. The prices of these types of vehicles may be intense, but the $75,000 to $255,000 range is what drivers may have to come to expect when purchasing the luxury vehicle of the future.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the luxury electric vehicles that made a name for themselves in 2019 and 2020.
BMW Electric I8 Roadster
Germany has been quicker than some to pick up on the electric vehicle’s advance into the world of luxury vehicles. Thus comes the BMW Electric I8 Roadster. This two-door sports car appeals to any and all drivers who looked at Doc Brown’s Dolorian and dreamt of a better future. The butterfly doors pair with a convertible roof to make this car the picture of comfort.
Partner that aesthetic appeal with 364 horsepower – not to mention a 4.4 second 0 to 60 mph start time – and you’re looking at an electric car that’s indisputably fun to drive. The car operates on an 800-volt battery and will keep you on the road for over 200 miles, sans charge. When you do need to fuel up again, the car will only take three hours to charge.
Aston Martin’s Electric Rapide Sedan
The UK has not been left bereft of automotive manufacturers investing in luxury electric vehicles, not even in the wake of Brexit. Aston Martin, in particular, has long made it known that it’s interested in producing a vehicle comparable to the ones released by Tesla.
In 2020, that dream is set to become a reality. Aston Martin has revamped its Rapide Sedan and is prepared to release it onto the consumer market in April. The new breed of Rapide Sedan is said to have all the luxuries of the original along with its new, eco-friendly EV battery. This limited production run will only see 155 of the sedans made and released, making them especially exclusive.
The Aston Martin Rapide Sean will operate on an 800V electric battery and benefit from over 5600 lithium-ion cylindrical cells. It matches BMW with its 4 second 0 to 60 mph time; it pushes forward with its acceleration though, moving from 50 to 70 mph in 1.5 seconds. If you have a need for speed that hasn’t been met by other electric vehicles, then you’ll want to jump on this limited release.
2020 Porsche Taycan
It’s Germany again, though, that looks ready to corner the market on the luxury electric vehicle (that is, ignoring Tesla as a competitor). Porsche, alongside BMW, is prepared to release an electric vehicle in 2020. The Porsche Taycan will embrace the fun and thrill of a sports car alongside the environmentally-positive developments inherently to an electric engine.
The Porsche Taycan will be released as a four-door sports car with 750 horsepower to boot. It will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds – still slower that the next generation of Tesla Roadsters, but getting significantly closer.
That said, the Taycan will be able to make 250 mile trips without having to stop for a charge. Charge times will vary.
2020 Lexus ES Hybrid
For a combination of sporty flair and infotainment, luxury vehicle drivers can look to the 2020 Lexus ES Hybrid. Lexus, like many of its peers in the automotive industry, has been looking to make the electric vehicle more glamorous. The ES Hybrid is both a response to the aforementioned competition and that manufacturer’s own ambitions.
This car has enough space for multiple passengers or luggage, depending on your interests. However, that extra room won’t keep it from making speedy and smooth trips throughout the UK countryside.
Unfortunately, Lexus has yet to release an electric car that holds up with the mileage of its peers. The ES Hybrid will only get 43 miles per charge in the city, topping out at 44 on the highway. That said, this car is smaller than some of the others set to be released in 2020, with an engine generating only 215 horsepower.
If you’re looking for an introductory electric sports car, then the Lexus ES Hybrid may be the vehicle for you. If you’re a more experienced, sporty driver, then the other vehicles on this list should be able to meet your needs.
The benefits of driving electric cars are environmental and personal. Whether you want to invest in green transportation or want to change the way you get around town, the market is changing in your favour.