2015 Electric Vehicles

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Living proof power, range, luxury, and driving excitement can all co-exist in a battery EV, Tesla’s Model S has quickly become the poster child of electric cars. Seating seven, and boasting its own coast-to-coast (more or less) free recharging infrastructure, Tesla Model S is a very intriguing proposition. Offered with a choice of two electric powertrains, the Model S can deliver as much as 416 horsepower and 443 ft-lbs of torque, while still boasting 265 miles of estimated range. Its 60kWh lithium-ion battery pack can be recharged in about 3.5 hours using a 240-volt charger. Pricing starts at $71,070.

Tesla’s follow-up to the well-regarded Model S, the Tesla Model X is the company’s take on a luxury crossover SUV. Slated to arrive in late 2015, the Model X presumably will share much of the powertrain technology of the Model S. Which explains the all-wheel drive solution (Tesla’s Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive) just announced for the Model S. It will be standard on every Model X. Further, Model X will be the first crossover SUV to feature what Tesla refers to as “Falcon Wing” doors. The rest of the automotive world knows them as gullwing doors. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Looking for the attributes of an SUV, but prefer electric power? Toyota’s RAV4 EV may well fill the bill—as long as you buy it in California. For now, the Golden State is the only place Toyota’s offering the electric crossover SUV for sale. With 73 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the Toyota is the most commodious EV currently available. Power comes from a 41.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack, feeding a 154-horsepower electric motor capable of generating 273 ft-lbs of torque. Range is estimated at 103 miles. Full recharging takes six hours using a 240-volt charger. Pricing starts at $49,800.

The first Volkswagen electric car to be offered to American consumers, the e-Golf brings all of the attributes of the marque’s hatchback to electric motoring. Standard features include LED headlights, touchscreen navigation, heated front seats, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a rearview camera, and a rear parking sensor array. The e-Golf features a 115-horsepower electric motor capable of 199 ft-lbs of torque. Range is estimated at approximately 90 miles. Recharging takes four hours with a 240-volt recharger. A DC fast charger can pump up to 80 percent of capacity into the battery pack in about 30 minutes. Pricing starts at $36,265.

The 2015 electric vehicles marketplace is bursting with variety. This is truly remarkable when you consider the Nissan Leaf was introduced in 2010 to become only the second battery EV on the market from a series production manufacturer—and the first one from an established mainstream builder. Going into 2015, we’re looking at 14 offerings already on the market, and another all new one slated to debut later in the year. Further, a broad variety of manufacturers are now in the game, with still more to come. Electric cars are here.