Isn't Next Year Always Going to be THE YEAR for EVs?

We’re Not Kidding This Time—and We Have Evidence

- Michael Coates

The story of new technology is always — NEXT YEAR will be the breakthrough when everyone jumps on board. Automotive technology is no different. Concept cars and one-off prototypes tease future technology and advances coming just around the corner. Future dates for the expected adoption of new technology make headlines, then are forgotten.

We haven’t forgotten the headline we wrote several years ago — 2020 was expected to be the BIG YEAR for the electric car with multiple introductions and major automakers putting their responses to Tesla on the market.

Well, then the pandemic happened. And then the supply chain collapse followed and 2020’s woes bled into 2021. We did see some new production start on several EVs this year and sales increased, but mainly with existing models. But next year, the floodgates will open!

The 2022 Newcomers

Remember, we’re not talking about starting with a blank slate. The EV field has become deeper during the past two years, although supply chain and other issues have made some models hard to find.

Current models on sale include four Teslas (Models S, X, 3 and Y), two Chevrolets (Bolt and Bolt EUV), eight iterations of Audis (the Q4 E-tron, E-tron and E-tron GT), two Hyundais (the Kona and Ioniq), two BMWs (the i4 and iX), the Ford Mach-E, VW ID4, Nissan Leaf, Porsche Taycan, Kia Nrio, Mercedes EQS, Polestar 2, Volvo XC40, Rivian R1T, and Lucid Air. Of course, some might throw in the two hydrogen-powered electrics — the Hyundai Nexo and Toyota Mirai.