New electric cars 2022: what's coming when

May

Genesis GV60: Genesis’ first bespoke EV, the GV60 will be based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform used by the Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6. A four-wheel drive, dual-motor set-up has led Genesis to claim the range-topping model has performance ‘comparable to a sports car.’ 

Lexus RZ: The RZ is Lexus' first bespoke electric vehicle and will spearhead the firm's model range or premium and dynamically oriented EVs. Set to arrive by the end of 2022, the car is similar in size to the Lexus NX, which is currently the car maker's best-seller. It's based on the same platform as the Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra, but will sit in a more premium position. Power comes from a 71.4kWh battery which provides up to 250 miles of range. Lexus promises energy retention of up to 90% of its usable capacity after ten years. 

Mercedes-Benz EQT: Finally, an MPV which might be considered cool. The EQT concept, developed in partnership with Renault, previewed the design of the new T-Class’s electric sibling (a Volkswagen Caddy rival), but there’s no word yet on if the integrated skateboard carrier will survive….

Summer

June

Dacia Spring EV: Dacia’s first electric car sticks to the firm’s philosophy of keeping things simple. You get four seats, a 44bhp electric motor and 140 miles of range, but also a one-star NCAP safety rating. We’ll likely hear in January whether the model is coming to the UK in January. 

Genesis Electrified GV70: The BMW iX3 rival gets 482bhp, 516lb ft and a 310-mile range. You’ll also be able to charge from 10-80% in 18 minutes with a 350kW charger. Other features include a new E-Terrain mode for more challenging driving environments, a road noise reduction system, and automatic electronic control suspension. 

Hyundai Ioniq 6: The Ioniq 6 will be Hyundai’s second bespoke EV, and could have the power and poise to challenge the Porsche Taycan. Its arrival was expected by now, but last-minute design changes mean an on-sale date of mid-2022. The delay has meant Hyundai has been able to fit a larger 77.4kWh battery though, up from 72.6kWh, so the wait should be worth it. 

Lotus Evija: Hethel’s new flagship is an all-electric supercar, with four motors producing a staggering, combined 1972bhp. The model’s top speed is 200mph, while its range stands at 250 miles. Pandemic-related issues have delayed the launch, but if our prototype drive is anything to go by, it'll be worth the wait.

Mercedes-Benz EQE: Mercedes’ new CLS-sized saloon has the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 in its sights. The car is made from 100% recycled steel and the German firm claims it will offer up to 410 miles between charges. A taller EQE will follow in 2023.

Skoda Enyaq iV Coupé: Skoda’s Enyaq iV Coupe adds a sloped roof to the standard Enyaq iV. Battery sizes are expected to remain the same as the standard car, but could offer improved efficiency thanks to the coupe’s improved aerodynamics - up to over 333 miles for the range-topping 77kWh battery. 

July

Nissan Ariya: Another rival for the Volkswagen ID 4, Nissan’s electric SUV will start from £41,845. Entry-level models are front wheel drive and powered by a 63kWh battery, while the top-rung e-Performance ups the stakes to four-wheel drive, 87kWh and 389bhp. 

Toyota bZ4X: Toyota’s long-awaited first bespoke EV is similarly priced to the Nissan Ariya, starting from £41,950 in the UK. Toyota has heaps of experience developing top-class crossovers, but will it be able to stand out among other established rivals? The bZ4X will draw from 20-plus years of electrification experience, with two variants on offer: a single motor, 201bhp model, and a twin-motor, four-wheel drive range-topper offering 248bhp and a sub 8.0sec 0-62mph time.

Volkswagen ID Buzz: Volkswagen’s legendary bus returns, but it looks radically different despite its retro styling. The ID Buzz moves from flower power to electric after 70 years, based on a variation of the firm’s MEB platform. People carrier, commercial vehicle and camper variants are confirmed to return, with a long-wheelbase model expected in 2023. It doesn’t stop there - the model is also being readied for fully autonomous driving by mid-decade. 

Autumn

September

Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric: The Megane will be one of many cars to literally step up and transform into a crossover. There’s no need to panic though, as our first impressions were positive. It’s good to drive, efficient and comfortable, and a power output of 215bhp and 221lb ft means it's quick too. You’ll hit 62mph in 7.4sec, but you’ll likely want to go a bit slower so people can take in its eye-catching design. It also offers a claimed range of either 186 or 292 miles. 

Lucid Air: The Lucid Air could be a game changer. The firm claims the coupe is capable of up to 500 miles of range on top-rung models, with an output of 1065bhp. Those staggering figures have meant some have dubbed it ‘the next Tesla.’ Prices in the US start from $52,100 (that’s around £40,040 in the UK), and entry-level cars are driven by a 395bhp electric motor and a Samsung-supplied 75kWh battery pack for 240 miles of range. 

Winter

November

Audi E-Tron: The E-Tron will gain more than just a standard facelift this year, with a huge new battery. It’s believed the range could rise from 249 miles to as much as 373 miles - that’ll get you from London to Edinburgh in one go. 

BMW iX1: It’s not just BMW’s 600bhp range-toppers going electric. The firm is readying an electric version of the X1, which the firm hopes will act as the way into its growing EV model range. The car will effectively replace the i3 which has been with us for ten years now, and is likely to be axed around the same time.

Lotus Type 132: Lotus Eletre: If you say it quickly, it doesn’t sound so shocking: “Lotus is building an electric SUV.” There, that’s not too bad, is it, purists? The Eletre marks the brand's historic reinvention as an electric performance car firm offering a breadth of vehicles. Targeting a price of £100,000, the Eletre will pack a top speed of 162mph and a sub-3.0sec sprint from 0-62mph.

We're still keenly awaiting indepth technical specs, but expect a battery capacity of more than 100kWh and power upwards of 592bhp. Maximum range meanwhile is said to stand at 348 miles. Don't worry - the Eletre is being made in China, so Hethel will remain the home of Lotus sports cars.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: Hyundai’s retro-styled EV will be Hyundai’s fastest ever car, boosted up to 600bhp with the firm’s typical N performance credentials applied. It’s likely the model will share a twin motor powertrain with the Kia EV6 GT, for a sub 4.0sec 0-62mph time. 

Kia EV6 GT: Kia’s rapid performance crossover will be faster than the Porsche Taycan 4S, producing 577bhp. We’re excited - it’s one more incredibly powerful, sporty electric car to choose from.

Polestar 3: Polestar will produce the 3 next to Volvo's successor to the XC90 in the US, with styling influenced by the Precept concept. Details are still thin on the ground - we’ve not seen a final design or heard powertrain information, but expect sustainable materials to be used throughout.

December

BMW i7: The BMW i7 could be the ideal choice for those who desire a luxury, electric saloon if you aren’t a fan of the firm’s newly introduced design language (yes, that grille). The low-slung i7 will be sold alongside combustion models, but plans to compete with Mercedes-Benz’s EQS. We still don’t know exactly what the car will look like, but spy shots have revealed a blanked-off grille (shape unknown, sorry), bespoke wheel designs and EV-specific trim. A 105kWh battery will provide up to 400 miles of range and 600bhp.  

Skoda Enyaq vRS: Skoda’s performance vRS badge will arrive for the first time on an electric model, as its answer to the Volkswagen ID 4 GTX. It will be driven by the same powertrain used by the GTX too, so a 0-62mph time of just over 6.0secs and a 300 mile range are expected. 

Ssangyong Korando E-Motion: Financially-troubled Ssangyong was recently acquired, so it’s likely we’ll see the Korando E-Motion this year. The rugged SUV will be the firm’s first all-electric car, based on the existing Korando. It will likely rival the affordable MG ZS EV. 

Coming in 2023

If this year’s electric offerings don’t get you excited, 2023 will also be crammed full of exciting reveals. 

Fisker Ocean: Fisker has a tainted history, but don't write the Ocean off just yet. The model looks like it could be a real, contending rival for the Audi Q4 E-tron and the Tesla Model Y, with a roomy interior and a range of more than 250 miles. European versions will be produced by Magna Steyr in Austria, with prices ranging from an affordable £30,000 to £50,000 for top-end cars. 

Ford Electric SUV: Ford has remained quiet about the name, price, size and appearance of its upcoming electric SUV, but has given some details of its technical specifications. We know it’ll be driven by a selection of single-motor rear-drive and dual-motor four-wheel-drive powertrains with a range in the high-200-mile region, as it’s the first passenger car to come from its deal struck with Volkswagen to develop on its MEB platform. Will Ford be able to make it feel distinguished away from the German firm? 

Mini hatchbacks and Countryman: From next year, Mini’s Oxford factory will move to electrified power and the firm will expand its model line-up. Its three-door hatchback will no doubt remain popular, with a more adapted and versatile EV variant expected. The Countryman will also receive a revamp and amendments to its fully-electric model. 

Peugeot e-308: The battery-electric variants of the Peugeot 308 hatchback and SW estate will be more powerful, more efficient and have a longer range than the existing e-208 supermini. A 50kWh battery will power a front-wheel-mounted motor, making 154bhp and 199lb ft. Production is expected to start in July 2023, with deliveries shortly afterwards. 

Chevrolet Silverado EV: Did you think Chevrolet would allow Ford to bask in all the glory of electric cars? Not a chance. The firm has revealed the new Silverado pick-up, with 400 miles of range - that’s 100 more than Ford’s extended-range F-150 Lightning. A battery pack up to 200kWh is available, with a dual-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrain supplying more than 660bhp and more than 780lb ft of torque. Unfortunately, we won’t see the Silverado in the UK. 

MG hatchback: Expected to be revealed in the coming months, MG’s small electric hatchback will rival the Vauxhall Corsa - the model that was recently crowned the UK’s best-selling car. The model will join the ZS EV and 5 EV in MG’s electric line-up, but is still shrouded in secrecy. Autocar understands the model will be revealed in concept form at the Beijing motor show in April.

Porsche Macan EV and Audi Q6 E-Tron: The Macan EV will be Porsche’s second attempt at electrification, but it’s probably worth hedging your bets that the German firm will repeat its success with the Taycan. It’ll be built on an entirely new car platform, co-developed between Porsche and Audi. Expect a four-wheel-drive dual-motor set-up to offer 700bhp and 750lb ft of torque. 

Audi will also use the platform for the Q6 E-Tron, with 800V charging, a range of more than 300 miles and eventually a sporting RS version.

Rolls-Royce Spectre: The first electric Rolls-Royce is a big one - the Spectre. It will occupy a similar market segment to the old, petrol-powered Wraith, using the firm’s Architecture of Luxury platform. A dual-motor powertrain will provide more than 600bhp.

Smart SUV: A Smart SUV will arrive in 2023, with production to take place in China with eyes on the country’s premium demographic. Smart is now a joint venture between Mercedes and Geely, and the SUV will be based on the latter’s SEA platform. 

Vauxhall Astra: Will the Astra follow the Corsa and become one of the UK’s best-selling cars once again? That’s certainly a possibility when it launches this year in petrol, diesel and plug-in specifications, but hold on until 2023 if you’d rather get behind the wheel of an all-electric model.