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The EV Market Enters Its Experimental Phase
Courtesy of Chip Motors
A new crop of EV companies is popping up, offering smaller, cheaper, and more personality-driven alternatives to those from big automakers.
The Big Picture: The EV market has had a rough few years, as demand in the US hasn’t accelerated as quickly as many expected — sales have dropped 20% this year alone, according to Cox Automotive. The cars were too expensive, and the promised charging infrastructure never fully arrived. These new vehicles could help reset the EV race on American roads.
Between The Lanes: Big brands like Honda and Ford may have put the brakes on EV production… but some new players would like to fill the garage.
Chip Motors, which just started taking reservations, is making low-speed mini Jeeps with a $15,000 base price that feature autonomous driving capabilities and a host of safety features.
TELO makes mini pickup trucks with a base price of $41,500 that are smaller than a MINI Cooper and look like they were designed by IKEA or LEGO, according to Forbes. Think of it as the fun version of a Cybertruck.
Aptera is set to begin delivering futuristic, airplane-cockpit-inspired models that will retail for $41,000. Their solar-panel-equipped bodies can provide up to 40 additional miles of driving range per day.
Slate Auto, which is backed by Jeff Bezos, offers a bare-bones pickup truck starting at $25,000 that is endlessly customizable — including wraps made in partnership with Crayola.
Final Turn: In many ways, these cars are positioned as entry-level vehicles for younger drivers, Sunday cruisers, or a safer alternative to golf carts (which, by the way, are a $6 billion market and have taken over suburban communities).
By building vehicles that are more humble and fun, maybe EVs can find their place in the mainstream market again — not by competing with the car already in your garage, but by offering something entirely different.
The Future: One day, people may use gas-powered vehicles for longer, out-of-town trips and smaller EVs for everyday errands and local travel.
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Today’s email was written by David Vendrell.
Edited by Nick Comney. Polled and Copy-edited by Kait Cunniff.
Published by Darline Salazar.