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2015 Electric Vehicles

Lyndon Bell
by Lyndon Bell
October 20, 2014
6 min. Reading Time
2015 MB b class electric

2015 MB b class electric

The list of 2015 electric vehicles is the longest ever. Often referred to as Battery EVs (BEVs), people are getting more and more comfortable with electric cars. The only real downside remains range, as many still struggle to exceed 100 miles on a full charge. While most people seldom drive farther over the course of a day, Americans always want more than we need—just to feel secure. Happily though, recharge times are dropping as manufacturers are steadily figuring out new ways to charge batteries in less time.

BMW i3 BEV

BMWs i3, despite its somewhat ungainly appearance, is engaging to drive—just as you’d expect a BMW to be. Standard features include automatic climate control, automatic wipers, Bluetooth, navigation, and a rear parking sensor array. Power comes from a 170-horsepower electric motor, producing 184 ft-lbs of torque fed to the rear wheels. The EPA estimates a range of 80 miles on a full charge. BMWs optional fast DC charging system is capable of fully refreshing the i3’s 22 kWh lithium-ion battery pack in 30 minutes. Recharge time is four hours with a 240-volt charging system. Pricing starts at $41,350.

 Photo by Megan Green

Photo by Megan Green

Chevrolet Spark

The electric Chevrolet, Spark offers an EPA estimated 82-mile range, sprightly performance, and a nice list of standard features for the price. Currently sold only in California and Oregon, Spark is powered by a 140-horsepower electric motor capable of generating 327 ft-lbs of torque. Standard features include keyless entry and ignition, remote start, full power accessories, Bluetooth, and Siri Eyes Free voice recognition. Its 18.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack can be fully recharged in 45 minutes with a fast DC charging system.  That time stretches to seven hours with a standard 240-volt charging system. Pricing starts at $26,820.

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Fiat 500e

Another entry in the affordable electric car category, the delightful Fiat 500e is perfectly suited to urban lifestyles. Further, its playful personality makes every encounter fun. Sales are limited to California and Oregon. Standard features include heated side mirrors, automatic climate control, navigation, Bluetooth, heated seats, and a full slate of power accessories. Propulsion comes from a 111 horsepower electric motor producing 147 ft-lbs of torque. Power comes from a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Range is estimated at 87 miles. A full recharge can be accomplished in four hours using a 240-volt charging system. Pricing starts at $31,800.

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Ford Focus Electric

Ford’s innovative Focus has been a winner since it was launched back in 1998 as a “world car”. For 2015, the exceptionally well-equipped Ford Focus Electric’s standard feature set includes automatic xenon headlights, LED taillights, Bluetooth, dual-zone automatic climate control, Ford’s Sync voice activation system, a 10-speaker audio system, keyless entry and ignition, remote start, and a rear view camera. A 143-horsepower electric motor sets the Ford’s front wheels into motion, powered by a 23kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Range is estimated at 76 miles. A full recharge takes four hours with a 240-volt charging system. Pricing starts at $35,170.

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Honda Fit EV

The most commodious car in its class, there’s a reason Honda named this car ‘Fit”. Pretty much anything an urban dweller would want to carry in it will, uh, fit. On the other hand, Honda only offers the model in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island. Oh, and uh, you can’t buy one—you can only lease it. The 123 horsepower electric motor makes 189 ft-lbs of torque. Range is estimated at 82 miles. A full recharge takes three hours using a 240-volt charging system. The payment is $259 monthly for three years.

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Kia Soul EV

EV drivers can now have Soul too. Thanks to the introduction of a battery EV version of its funky little high-top tennis shoe, Kia’s Soul becomes the first Korean manufacturer’s battery EV offering in the U.S. Initially sold only in California; the model will also be available in Oregon, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. Soul EV uses a 190-horsepower electric motor with 210 ft-lbs of torque, powered by a 27kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Range is quoted at 105 miles. Recharging takes approximately five hours with a 240-volt charger. DC fast charging is also available. Pricing starts at $26,200.

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Nissan Leaf

The first contemporary mainstream EV, Nissan Leaf ‘s standard features list includes a 3.6 kW charger, heated mirrors, full power accessories, keyless ignition and entry, Bluetooth, automatic climate control, and a rearview camera. The 107-horsepower electric motor generates 187 ft-lbs of torque and is powered by a 24kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Estimated range is 84 miles. Recharging can be accomplished in eight hours with the standard recharger and a 240-volt source, or four hours with the optional 6.6 kW charger. The Leaf’s optional quick charge port can accomplish an 80 percent charge in 30 minutes. Pricing starts at $21,520.

 Photo by Nissan

Photo by Nissan

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive

Yes, there is an electric Mercedes-Benz now, although Tesla Motors did its electrical engineering. Hey, this is not a drawback; one thing they do know in Palo Alto is electrons—OK?  Powertrain aside, this is a true Mercedes-Benz. Standard features include automatic wipers, the Mercedes COMAND interface, Bluetooth telephony and audio streaming, as well as GPS navigation. The 174-horsepower electric motor powers the front wheels and produces 251 ft-lbs of torque. Power comes from a 28kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Range is estimated at 87 miles. Recharging takes approximately 3.5 hours with a 240-volt recharging system. Pricing starts at $41,450.

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Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Are you heavy into minimalism? If so, Mitsubishi has just the EV for you—as long as you’re looking primarily at driving it around town. The marque’s i-MiEV is small, lightweight, and highly affordable. The standard equipment list includes automatic headlights, foglights, heated mirrors, full power accessories, heated front seats, and an onboard Level 3 quick-charging port. Power comes from a 16kWh lithium-ion battery pack and feeds a 66-horsepower electric motor capable of 145 ft-lbs of torque.  Range is estimated at 62 miles. Recharging time is estimated at seven hours with a 240-volt charging system. Pricing starts at $22,995.

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Smart ForTwo Electric Drive

The diminutive Smart cars have found somewhat ready acceptance in large metropolitan areas, and for good reason. Their size makes them easy to maneuver in urban traffic, and almost infinitely park-able. Further they’re perfectly suited to carrying two people in a great deal of comfort. The electric drive model takes this one step farther, by adding eco-consciousness to the mix. Power comes from a 17.6 kWh battery feeding a 47-horsepower electric motor. Estimated range is 68 miles. Recharging takes six hours from a 240-volt charging station. Pricing starts at $25,570, or lease one for $139.00 monthly for three years.

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