We often talk about China, but the United States is very prolific when it comes to electric cars. 100% electric, packed with technology, American electric cars are trickling into Europe. Here is a selection of eight cars eagerly awaited.
After making a selection of 100% electric Chinese cars, expected in Europe, we tackled American car manufacturers. There are well-known manufacturers, such as General Motors, Ford, Tesla… and new ones trying to follow Tesla’s lead: Rivian, Lucid, Lordstown, Canoo, Faraday Future and Fisker. It’s the eternal story of small, agile, daring and creative start-ups… We don’t know who will actually achieve their goals.
Tesla Roadster
Delayed, then delayed and certainly delayed again. If you’re planning on cracking the second edition of the Tesla Roadster, you have to be patient (and lucky). The hope, however, is that one day it finally happens. The Roadster will be a car with outsized features.
When it was announced, Elon Musk said the Roadster would be capable of reaching 1,000 km on a single charge and hinted at a top speed of over 400 km/h. He also said that its three-motor system (which includes one electric motor in the front and two in the rear) will allow the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.9 seconds. Nothing to do with the original 2008 Roadster designed on the basis of a Lotus Elise. Outside of the official announcement, the new Roadster has made tentative appearances at official Tesla events.
In France, count a price of 172,000 euros minimum. We are talking about a first delivery in 2023… Remember that during his presentation at the end of 2017, Elon Musk promised an arrival for 2020.
Fisker Ocean
It is certainly the least known of the American manufacturers mentioned here, here is the Fisker Ocean. This 100% electric SUV has been seen at several shows this year. The look of the Californian SUV is irresistibly reminiscent of the Range Rover Evoque. You will have noticed the solar sunroof, which the brand assures that it can glean up to 3200 km of autonomy per year. Regarding this theme, we advise you to read our handling of the Lightyear 0.
The huge 17.1-inch central screen impresses, in a vertical position while driving or horizontal to watch a film when stationary. Fans of Tesla Model 3 or Model S will all find their account… it can also rotate 90 degrees. When stationary, you watch it in landscape mode to enjoy multimedia content. On the move, the vertical mode will be more suitable to distract the driver less. Instrumentation is displayed on a small screen behind the steering wheel.
The ranges announced are between 440 km (Ocean Sportsthe basic model, with electric motor placed on the front axle) 630 km (Ocean Exreme, with two motors on each axle) on the WLTP cycle.
Its first delivery is scheduled for November 2022, in Austria or the United States. In France, delivery is noted for April 2023. Prices are between 41,900 euros and up to 69,950 euros. It seems high, but these rates include a lot of options and are therefore attractive compared to the competition.
LucidAir
If you’re looking for a strong challenger to the Tesla Model S, the Lucid Air is a strong candidate. At equal segment, the majority of electric cars that try to display the characteristics of Tesla are very far from approaching it. But that’s not the case with the Lucid Air.
On the technical sheet, the Lucid Aid offers 827 hp, against 680 hp for the Model S Plaid. If the two models are equal on the 0 to 100 km / h, the Lucid Air is faster in recovery for the 80 to 120 km / h (1.9 against 2.2 seconds)
In terms of autonomy, the Lucid Air even has the luxury of consuming less on the expressways (from 17 to 21 kWh / 100 km, against 19 to 22 for the Model S Plaid according to Automobile-Propre). Even charging is faster, 300kW compared to 250kW max on DC. Another detail: the battery operates at 800 volts against 400 volts at Tesla.
Lucid unveiled the edition Air Sapphire Edition. This Lucid Air Sapphire model has three motors, with 1,200 total horsepower. With an additional engine at the rear, it is supposed to reach 100 km/h in less than two seconds and 160 km/h in less than four seconds with a top speed of 321 km/h.
If the two cars are so similar, it’s because Lucid Motors has recruited an engineer… Peter Rawlinson, who worked on the Tesla Model S and the Lucid Air. Prices in Europe start at 100,000 euros for the entry-level version, Pure, they go up to 218,000 euros for the Dream Edition (price for Germany). Reservations for the first model of Lucid Motos are already open on the manufacturer’s website. In France, you can’t pre-order it yet. Lucid is targeting Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Norway.
Rivian R1S
Like Lucid, Rivian is often in the business news as its announcements and other numbers are scrutinized by the industry. Rivian’s first big communication was the huge deal with Amazon. The American group worked closely with Rivian to design the delivery vans assembled at Rivian’s plant in Normal, USA. Rivian presented two models: a pickup named R1T and an SUV named R1S. The R1S, like the Lucid Air mentioned above, is already rolling on American roads.
It is a large 7-seater SUV, still with a 100% electric engine. Its characteristics are very close to the R1T, the two cars share the same platform. The Rivian R1S wants to be perceived as the worthy heir to large American-style SUVs. It already makes an impression with its mirror cabinet look, like a Chevrolet Tahoe or a Ford Expedition. Therefore, this does not make it a very efficient car.
Battery capacity | 105 kWh | 135 kWh | 180 kWh |
---|---|---|---|
Powerful | 300 kW (408 hp) | 522 kW (710 hp) | 562 kW (764 hp) |
R1T autonomy | 370km | 480km | 640km |
R1S autonomy | 386km | 499km | 660km |
The Rivian R1S is available in the United States starting at $70,000, and no availability date has been announced in Europe. Rivian published huge losses for the second quarter of 2022, we are talking about 1.7 billion dollars, but 98,000 pre-orders were recorded with 25,000 vehicles expected to be delivered in 2022.
Cadillac Celestial
The Celestiq project
… it’s “ultra-luxury”. We are talking here about a $300,000 ticket for the entry level, without options.
The Celestiq will therefore offer hand-assembled materials, all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and GM’s next-generation Ultra Cruise driver assistance system. The powertrain will also be GM’s work, it’s Ultium technology.
Pre-orders will be open from 2023, and the first deliveries are scheduled for 2025. Obviously, Cadillac is not immune to a slight delay. This SUV could arrive here a little later, as suggested by General Motors, which sees in the electric an opportunity to return to Europe.
Canoo Lifestyle
Canoo is a young American startup. We selected this American manufacturer because we like their approach to the car. This is the case, for example, of the official NASA car.
This seven-seater car reminds us of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, its design was guided by efficiency, but also carpooling. Thus, moving away from the classic design of cars, its panoramic glass roof and its side windows enveloping the entire cabin at the rear, will undoubtedly offer an ideal view of the entire exterior. The rear passenger area will make an impression, with its curved bench seat like a sofa and its vast central space.
Canoo plans to put its minivans on the market starting in 2023 in the United States, priced at $34,750. Several variants will be offered, including Delivery for professionals.
Dodge Charger
Here we are attacking an American icon, a sports car named Charger Daytona SRT. Dodge is working on the electrification of its range, which would then allow it to consider marketing in Europe, as for General Motors and Cadillac.
It’s done, Dodge promises us a electric version of the muscle car for 2024. The style has been revised to gain in modernity, but also in aerodynamics, a key element to improve autonomy. We have covered this concept in detail in this article.
Buick Electra EV
Buick has unveiled two concepts in the form of a coupe and a sedan and announces the arrival of its 100% electric Electra sedan from 2024 in the United States. The first is called Wildcat EV, and takes the form of a superb 2+2 electric coupe, with very futuristic lines. But, be careful, because this should not directly announce a production model, but rather give an idea of the stylistic direction that the brand will take in the coming years.
The second is the Electra-X. This one then takes up some elements of the coupe, on the other hand it is distinguished by its raised silhouette.
We don’t want them in Europe: Ford F 150 EV, GMC Hummer EV, Lordstown Endurance and Tesla Cybertruck
This is a subjective opinion, shared by the Frandroid editorial staff. Personally, I love pickups. Little known in Europe, they are the most popular vehicles in the United States. They offer plenty of utility, with huge towing capacity. Like huge SUVs, they are now sophisticated and luxurious products… with a huge efficiency problem.
Pickups have made great strides in efficiency. But, they’re still big tanks that move through space, and as such they’re still the least fuel-efficient cars. These pickups have also become imposing, especially since they have four doors and security systems. Finally, the automobile infrastructure in Europe is not adapted to these cars. To move, to park, to maneuver in difficult situations and to integrate into public and private car parks.
Moreover, in some countries, the 100% electric Hummer EV pollutes more than some thermal cars because of its gargantuan energy consumption to move around.
In short, despite the futuristic style of the Cybertruck, we don’t want it in Europe. Except, at the limit, for small pickups like the Ford Ranger.
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