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2024 has been a roller coaster of a year in EV-land. While sales of electric cars have slowed down a bit, EV market share has continued to grow. Elon Musk’s antics began to hurt Tesla’s bottom line, as longtime customers (myself included) began to leave the brand. GM, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia all had record EV sales, and the Toyota Corolla even regained its longtime title of “world’s best-selling car” after losing to the Tesla Model Y in 2023.
The Acura ZDX, Chevrolet Silverado EV / Blazer EV / Equinox EV, Fiat 500e, Honda Prologue, Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, Kia EV9, Polestar 3Porsche Macan EV, Rivian R1S/R1T (2nd gen), Tesla Model 3 Highland, Volkswagen ID.Buzzand Volvo EX90 are some of the new electric cars that became widely available to North American customers this year.
Last April, Elon Musk fired the entire Supercharger team on a whim, casting serious doubt on the future of Tesla’s charging network, and the launch of Supercharger access for non-Tesla EVs. Fortunately, a large part of the Supercharger team was rehired, and – after a short break – Tesla’s charging network resumed its rapid growth. Ford, Rivian, GM, Volvo, Polestar and Nissan EVs will all have Supercharger access by 2024.
Other charging networks like Electrify America have also made significant inroads in 2024, with hundreds of new stations opening and many older chargers getting newer, more reliable equipment. In thisa charging network founded by BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, Stellantis and Toyota, opened its first site in Apex, North Carolina.
Obviously, 2025 will bring even more EVs to the table, with an even wider variety of choices than last year – from full-size SUVs (Cadillac Escalade IQ), to electric muscle cars (Dodge Charger Daytona), to performance of three rows. SUVs (Kia EV9 GT), to luxury off-road SUVs (Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen Electric), to electric roadsters (Porsche). 718 EV), to the best-selling family crossover (Tesla Model Y Juniper).
This list below contains most of the new electric cars, trucks and SUVs that are expected to launch in North America next year. Obviously, this is not a complete list, and includes a few EVs that become available in late 2024, plus a couple of electric cars that I own. listed last year but they were delayed to 2025.
Here’s more information on a few of these upcoming EVs – the Audi Q6 e-tron, Kia EV9 GT, Polestar 4, Tesla Model Y Juniper, and Volvo EX30.
Most EV fans won’t find it Audi Q6 e-tron very exciting, and that’s exactly the point. Now don’t get me wrong: this is an extremely competent electric SUV with solid pricing and range. But, despite being quite conventional in terms of performance, technology and packaging, it will surely appeal to Audi customers coming from the Q5 or more traditional buyers who want to leave ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles behind.
The Q6 e-tron, which hits the streets this month, shares the Volkswagen Group’s 800-volt PPE (Premium Platform Electric) architecture with the Porsche Macan EV and uses a similar split headlight arrangement. But that’s where the similarities end. It might not accelerate as fast or drive as well, but it costs $20,000 less than its Porsche sibling and delivers premium materials and build quality. It’s exciting in a different way.
U Let’s go EV9 it’s a fantastic three-row electric SUV that will sell like hotcakes in 2024. And it’s no surprise: it delivers 80% of the Rivian R1S experience for $12,000 less. While it is less capable off-road, it offers more space in the third row. The EV9 is strong and modern on the outside, quieter and more comfortable on the inside. It’s fun to drive and offers impressive performance for its size. Oh, and it charges really fast thanks to its 800-volt architecture.
Now take all that EV9 goodness, and give it the GT treatment, that is. Kia’s performance touch. When Kia launched the EV6 GT in 2023, the result was an insane electric crossover with 576 horsepower, 545 lb-ft of torque, a 3.2-second 0-60 mph time, sport bucket seats, and a drift mode. Now imagine a three-row electric SUV with this formula. That’s what’s coming in 2025 with the EV9 GT. Hide your children – you have been warned.
Polestar calls the 4 an SUV coupé but it’s really more of a fastback sedan, and it’s gorgeous. This sleek and premium EV shares a platform with the excellent Zeekr 001 from Chinese parent company Geely (which also owns Volvo and Lotus), but is notable for not having a rear window. Instead, the driver gets an HD digital rear-view mirror and rear passengers have more headroom – plus reclining rear seats. fantasy
Before being acquired by Geely, Polestar was Volvo’s performance brand (as AMG is to Mercedes-Benz), so you can expect the Polestar 4 to be fast and fun to drive. And if the Polestar 2 The BST (beast) edition is any indication, it also handles very well. Since the Polestar 4 is a full SDV (software defined vehicle), it packs Level 2 ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) and a Googlebased infotainment system.
Here in the US, the Polestar 4 was expected to launch a few months after the Polestar 3, but both EVs have been delayed. The Polestar 3 made it to showrooms in the fall of 2024, so the Polestar 4 should not be far behind. And, if the excellent Polestar 3 is any indication, the Polestar 4 should be worth the wait.
Last year, I wrote about the Model 3 and Highland ProjectThat was the first major refresh of Tesla’s cheapest EV since its launch in 2017. So it was only a matter of time until the Model Y received a similar treatment. Project Juniper is the first major refresh of Tesla’s most popular EV since its launch in 2020, and it’s just around the corner.
Updates are expected to follow in the footsteps of the Model 3, and include redesigned front and rear ends (with Cybertruck-like light bars, this time), ride comfort improvements, a quieter, more premium interior with ambient lighting, a rear infotainment screen, cooled seats and a stalkless steering wheel.
Think of the Volvo EX30 as a budget Polestar 4, and you’ve got the right idea. This small affordable crossover shares its platform with the Zeekr from the Chinese relative Geely (which also owns Polestar and Lotus), but it is unmistakably Volvo, thanks to a minimalist interior full of sustainable materials, and a tasteful exterior. Standout features include a sound bar instead of multiple speakers, and a center-mounted glove box.
And while the EX30 is affordable, it doesn’t sacrifice comfort or performance. It’s fun to drive – not to mention quick (0-60mph in 3.4s). You also get Volvo’s extremely comfortable seats and a quiet, airy cabin. This is a complete SDV (software defined vehicle), so there’s plenty of tech on the menu, including a Google-based infotainment system, and Level 2 ADAS (advanced driver assistance system).
The EX30 was supposed to be launched in the US this year, but has been delayed until 2025 due to the new 100% tariff on imports from China, where it is manufactured. Volvo is now importing the Belgium-made EX30 instead, so this EV should be hitting dealerships any day. Stay tuned.
Beyond these exciting new electric cars, 2025 will be an interesting year for EVs. First – and unfortunately – the incoming US regime is likely to cancel federal EV subsidies and impose various tariffs that will impact the (highly globalized) automotive industry. In the short term, this means that electric cars are likely to cost more. In the longer term, this could force automakers to be more competitive with EV pricing.
Second, 2024 introduced some of the most affordable electric car rental rates ever, making EVs accessible to more people. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues. Third, Tesla is once again rumored to be announcing a sub-$30,000 Model Q, so I hope this develops. Finally, the remaining car manufacturers (German and Korean mainly) should have access to Supercharger in 2025, EV road trips a breeze