ELECTRIC
VEHICLES ARE
becoming
more visible on
American roads,
thanks to new
manufacturerinvestment, batteries that are more
technologically advanced and less
expensive, and a higher consumer
comfort level. This year, five
automakers have introduced EVs that
can deliver more than 200 miles of
range. By the end of 2020, automakers
plan to introduce eight more. Compare
that with last year, when there were
only 14 EVs on the market, and just
four could reliably get more than
200 miles on a full battery charge.
The biggest change to the
marketplace, however, is that unlike
a decade ago, vehicles no longer sit in
only two camps: less expensive EVs
with short range and compromised
comfort and space, and very expensive
EVs that offer more range but with
big luxury-car prices. American car
shoppers can now find EVs across a
range of prices and automakers.
“Over the next couple of years,
there should be several models in that
sub-$35,000 range, after tax credits are
applied,” says Shannon Baker-Branstetter,
CR’s manager, cars and energy policy,who studies the electric vehicle market.
“That is definitely in the range that a lot
of new-car buyers are looking at.”
Though EVs still make up a small
percentage of the passenger vehicle
market—about 1.3 percent of the new
vehicles sold in 2018—there has been
explosive growth in sales: In 2010, just
1,919 EVs were sold in the U.S. By 2018,
sales hit 233,411, thanks in large part to
the popularity of Tesla’s Model 3.
Analysts expect the electric boom
to continue and for the EV market
share to increase. Research and
analytics firm IHS Markit estimates
that the share of EVs sold in the U.S.
will grow to 7.6 percent of the marketE
A Growing Breed
The Jaguar I-Pace
is one of a new set
of electric vehicles
with ranges that
top 200 miles.ILLUSTRATIONS BY SEÑOR SALME SEPTEMBER 2019 CR.ORG 55