Upcoming EVs from Detroit’s BIG 3

Electric vehicles continue to grow their automotive market share, with more than 5.6 million EVs roaming the roads worldwide. And while plug-in electric cars account for less than 2% of vehicle sales in the United States today, automakers are itching to boost that number. In fact, nearly 100 pure EV models are set to debut by 2024.

It’s no surprise that Tesla is a major contributor to that growth. The automaker proved EVs could be sleek, sophisticated, high-tech, and high performance. Not to mention, lucrative. Currently worth over $420 billion, Tesla is now the most valuable car company in the world.

Refusing to be left behind, Detroit’s Big 3 have developed some aggressive EV plans of their own. Ford allocated $11 billion to bring 40 new full-electric and hybrid vehicles to market by 2022. GM announced it will have 30 new EVs on the market by 2025, spending $27 billion to make it happen. FCA isn’t saying much, as it’s busy playing catch-up since its former CEO took a pretty vocal stance against electric vehicles in the past. However, the automaker’s soon-to-be merger with PSA Groupe should put some pretty interesting EVs on American roads.

While several new rollouts are delayed thanks to COVID, the Big 3 still have some big plans for 2021. Let’s check out what’s on the docket for the new year and beyond.

FORD

In 2018, Ford made the bold move to invest in a sports-utility future and cut sedans from its lineup. It looks to stay on that path even where EVs are concerned.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E

A shining star of Ford’s EV lineup: the Mustang Mach-E will be the brand’s first buzzy new electric ride to hit the road. Available in one body style – a five-door crossover with a fastback look – the Mach-E comes in four regular trim levels. Differentiating each version are two battery sizes and three power outputs in either rear- or all-wheel drive.

A limited-edition launch model, dubbed First Edition, arrived in December along with Premium models. In a few months, base models (named “Select”) and specially-badged California Route 1 versions will arrive. The real contender, however, comes in the spring. The Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition promises a mid-3-second 0 to 60 sprint, standard all-wheel drive, 459 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque.

While luxury, comfort, and storage are all addressed in good measure, it’s the technology that really shines on the Mach-E.

As one of the most advanced vehicles Ford has ever built, the all-electric crossover features a massive 15.5-inch vertically-mounted touchscreen, 10.2-inch digital instrument panel, customizable ambient interior lighting, wireless charging, over-the-air updates, enhanced voice recognition, smartphone as key, connected navigation, and driver profile and personalization—including an avatar and FordPass trip planning based on battery level and available charging stations. And that laundry list doesn’t even include the comprehensive suite of driver-assist capabilities on board!

2022 Ford E-Transit

Following the release of the Mach-E will be Ford’s second buzzy EV – the E-Transit. The all-electric version of the best-selling cargo van is set to arrive in late 2021 and will start under $45k. Prioritizing tech-friendly fleet management, the E-Transit offers onboard connected solutions to help drivers optimize battery efficiency and access digital services. An available Pro Power Onboard feature even allows the van to function as a mobile generator, charging job site tools or work equipment.

Electrified delivery fleets present a golden opportunity for automakers, as fleet managers seeking cost-cutting efficiencies make a captive audience. Plus, as more consumers see electric vans zipping around town, they’ll begin to acclimate to the sights and sounds of EVs in their local communities.

2023 Ford F-150 Electric

While the 2021 Ford F-150 will offer a hybrid drivetrain – a notable milestone for America’s best-selling pickup – an all-electric model will arrive in mid-2022. Details are sparse. However, Ford recently confirmed the new pickup will feature dual electric motors, likely one for each axle, making the truck all-wheel drive. The Blue Oval also said the new F-150 will support over-the-air updates, and will provide more horsepower and torque, as well as the fastest acceleration of any F-150 currently on the market.

No word on driving range or battery capacity, but Car & Driver reports the manufacturer submitted patents for a removable range extender motor disguised as an aftermarket, bed-mounted tool box. The motor would provide extra juice in the event there is no charging station nearby. Starting price should land around $70k, with loaded models reaching six-figure prices.

GM

GM’s forward focus also seems pointed toward the popular light truck segment. Nearly every upcoming EV from brands Buick, Chevy, Cadillac, and GMC is either an SUV or pickup.

2022 GMC Hummer EV

It would truly be difficult to miss news of the Hummer EV. Between the media blitz debut, crazy crab walk video, and Lebron James’ endorsement, the all-electric supertruck is building up some serious hype for itself. Although, the PR seems to be working, as First Edition models sold out in less than one hour, despite wearing a $112,595 non-negotiable price tag.

First-round Hummer EVs boast top-tier, high-performance specs. They promise best-in-class 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb.-ft. of torque delivered by three powerful electric motors with a blow-your-hair-back 0-60 time of three seconds. The aforementioned diagonal driving “Crab Mode” is part of the package, as is “Extract Mode,” which allows the truck’s suspension to raise approximately six inches to help negotiate “extreme off-road situations such as clearing boulders or fording water,” according to GM.

Three more variants are set to release over the next four years, including a true base model in spring 2024. Lesser versions will wear two motors instead of three, and push out 625 horsepower and 7,400 lb.-ft. of torque.

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV

The Bolt EUV is essentially a more utility-minded version of the regular Chevy Bolt EV, the plucky little electric hatchback Chevy has sold since 2017. While that vehicle will see some upgrades for 2022, the Bolt EUV is an all-new model that sports better styling and the automaker’s celebrated Super Cruise hands-free driver assistance tech.

Set to arrive in the summer of 2021, Chevy has been slowly revealing the new electric crossover through teasers. This month, we learned the EUV will wear sequential LED turn signals, a small but cool feature.

The model will also get a “Power Flow Screen,” which Chevy designed to help drivers understand key information about the electric motor and battery in real time.

Customers can expect a starting price around $40k and a driving range of at least 250 miles.

2023 Cadillac Lyriq SUV

The Cadillac Lyriq SUV is a pivotal release for GM, boasting the automaker’s new dedicated EV architecture, called BEV3. The vehicle also represents a new beginning for the Cadillac brand, “a stake in the ground of what the future looks like,” said Cadillac President Steve Carlisle. Despite a COVID-induced delay, GM still managed to move the Lyriq launch up by an impressive nine months to Q1 2022.

No word on the powertrain, yet. Cadillac did say the brand-new nameplate will be available in both single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD configurations, with a range of more than 300 miles. Additionally, customers can expect a bevy of next-gen tech and comfort features, including a spacious and well-appointed interior with a massive, 33-inch curved OLED display that serves as both the SUV’s infotainment system and the driver’s gauge display.

A new luxury sedan named Celestiq will join the Lyriq sometime in 2022. This low-volume, hand-assembled EV is intended to be a new fancy flagship model for Cadillac. It will likely start around $200,000.

Buick

Forget about these guys? GM didn’t. The automaker intends to release two new Buick EVs before the end of 2023: a midsize crossover resembling the Encore and a compact CUV expected to share underpinnings with the Bolt. No word beyond that, but a Buick Electra and Buick Enspire (both EVs) debuted recently for the Chinese market, offering possible insight on design.

Fun fact: four out of five Buicks sold globally are purchased by Chinese buyers.

FCA

As one of the last auto manufacturers to develop an electric cars strategy, FCA appears to be embracing EVs like a child taking cold medicine. Regardless, the automaker says it will offer more than 30 of its nameplates as plug-in and electric vehicles by 2022.

Hybrids

According to Green Car Reports, FCA put hybrids in 16% of its vehicles for model year 2019. That’s almost double Toyota’s effort, an automaker often regarded as a hybrid leader.

Always one to find an angle, FCA’s trick to this success is by including mild hybrids, like the eTorque system found in the RAM 1500 and Jeep Wrangler. This explains why, despite a bevy of hybrid badges, the automaker maintains the lowest fleet MPG.

However, credit must be given where it’s due. The 48-volt eTorque system provides a 90 lb-ft of torque boost in V-6 models (like the Wrangler) and 130 lb-ft worth of help in the V-8 (like on the RAM). It also boosts fuel economy by about 2 mpg for trucks with EPA combined mpg figures in the low 20s.

Maserati

Four months after the debut of its first battery-electric vehicle – a hybrid version of the Ghibli sedan – Maserati announced its plans to go all-electric by 2025. A hybrid Grecale SUV is set for 2021. An EV version will follow soon, as well as electric versions of the new Gran Turismo and Gran Cabrio models.

The Italian luxury manufacturer has a fancy name for its electric program: “Folgore,” which is Italian for “lightning.”

2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

While we’ve only seen a concept, a production model of the Grand Wagoneer could arrive as early as summer 2021. Sharing a platform with the RAM 1500, the resurrected SUV will launch with a plug-in hybrid in its lineup. It’s possible the new Grand Wagoneer will use some version of the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid’s V-6 twin electric motor powertrain.

Competing against the likes of Range Rover and Cadillac, Jeep raised the bar on luxury and comfort. According to the manufacturer, customers can expect class-leading interior volume, as well as premium teak wood and aluminum touches paying homage to Wagoneers of days past. Not to mention nearly 45 inches of dashboard touchscreens! Those goodies don’t come cheap, though. Jeep says the new Grand Wagoneer will start around $60k, with fully loaded models hitting the $100,000 mark.

Electric RAM?

There’s plenty of buzz on the internet surrounding a potential electric RAM pickup. However, we’d just like to point out that CEO Mike Manley referred to an “electrified” RAM fitting into the marketplace. Not an “electric” RAM. Semantics? Maybe. But considering the only true EVs in FCA’s lineup seem to be in Europe, we’ll remain cautiously optimistic.

Speaking of Europe…

It’s clear FCA has some serious EV catch-up work to do compared to its Detroit neighbors. However, the automaker’s new marriage to Groupe PSA could provide it with a much-needed electric blitz. Carlos Tavares, the new CEO of the merged FCA-PSA alliance “Stellantis” is passionate about EVs. His enthusiasm, combined with PSA’s EV successes, could really ignite the already-heated EV race on U.S. soil. (Especially, if Tavares’ plans to bring Peugeot to North America pan out.)

Which new EV are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments!