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2019 New York Auto Show Electric Vehicles

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The 2019 New York Auto Show is happening through Sunday, April 28th and we’ve already seen a ton of electric vehicles to share with you. Automakers wasted no time getting their new EVs on the show floor as soon as the doors opened. While there aren’t a lot of new premieres to show you right now, we still got the chance to take a hard look at some new electric vehicles you will want.

Here are the best EVs from the New York Auto Show.

2019 New York Auto Show
CNET

Kia HabaNiro Concept

Clever name, don’t you think? This electric crossover looks slightly chunky, but it does feature butterfly doors and a bright red interior. It is estimated to have more than a 300-mile range plus Level 5 autonomous driving ability. Of course, it’s just a concept, so we don’t know if it will make it to production.

In addition, Kia also displayed the Niro EV at the show.

Qiantu K50
Motor Authority

Qiantu K50

Qiantu claims that the K50 will be available in the United States during 2020. The retail price will be between $125k and $150k depending on the model. The company plans on selling 1,000 of the “Signature Series” first and then another 2,500 the following year.

Genesis Mint Concept
Road & Track

Genesis Mint Concept

Genesis revealed the Mint concept during the show. While this vehicle most likely won’t make production, the automaker does plan to introduce a production EV that features an electric drivetrain as early as 2021.

Rivian Pickup
Rivian

Rivian

There’s been a lot of buzz lately regarding Rivian. We just told you how GM backed out of a recent partnership with them. During the show, the R1T electric truck and R1S electric SUV were on display.

Audi e-Tron
Audi

Audi e-Tron

This Audi goes on sale in the States next month, but we got a sneak peek at it during the show.

Rimac C_Two
Rimac

Rimac C_Two

The Rimac C-Two, otherwise known as the Concept_Two was also on display. This is one of the higher-priced hypercars of the future.

Other Electric Cars at the 2019 New York Auto Show

Of course, the motor show wouldn’t be complete without some of the every day EVs as well. If you are heading to show, expect to see your average Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf on the floor as well.

Stay tuned to Car Blog Writers for more news from the event.

Electric Porsche Macan Coming in 2021

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Just this week, Porsche announced that the next generation of the Macan crossover will be fully electric. This crossover is currently built in Leipzig, Germany and will continue to be manufactured there. Because Porsche is redirecting resources to create a fully-electric lineup by 2025, the Macan seemed like the next logical step. As early as 2021, we could see the electric Porsche Macan in America. Here’s what we know so far.

electric Porsche Macan
Porsche

Next Generation Electric Porsche Macan

Porsche plans to base the next Macan on the Premium Platform Electric, otherwise known as PPE. This is currently in development with the help of Audi. They are also planning to use the underpinnings in their electric models. We will not see this platform on the upcoming Taycan because that uses the J1, which is the same from the Audi e-Tron GT.

The electric Porsche Macan will feature an 800-volt setup. The plan is to use this on the next generation Taycan as well. It’s even going to share battery packs and electric motors with the sedan.

Of course, the first Taycan is going to have two electric motors that pump out 600 horsepower and offer a 300-mile range. That helps the electric sedan reach 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. If those same specs end up in the second generation, then we might see the Macan match these numbers.

Of course, the Macan is an entry-level Porsche at $52,000 so the automaker might not invest too much in it.

Current Macan Model

While we are onboard for all-electric modifications, we can’t help but feel a little sad at the thought of this Porsche crossover becoming an electric model. Part of why we love the Macan is because of the various engine options. Right now, it comes with an inline-turbocharged four-cylinder and even a twin-turbo V6 option.

Until we find out more, we can still enjoy this version. We expect the next Macan to make it to production in 2021. It will come after the Taycan sedan which should arrive this year. We also expect the Taycan Cross Turismo plus the Sport Turismo wagon to arrive after the standard variant. The second-generation Taycan, based on the PPE like the Macan, won’t come until mid-decade.

If you can’t get enough of new EVs, make sure you check out our 2019 Electric Vehicle Lineup List.

Peugeot Electric Car Unveiled: First Look

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The French automaker recently announced their details of a fully-electric, zero-emission vehicle. The Peugeot electric car might be released as early as summer 2019 and will be the first in their series. The plan is for the entire lineup to run on electric by 2023. Let’s take a closer look at the e-208.

Peugeot Electric Car
Peugeot

Peugeot Electric Car: e-208

The Peugeot e-208 is powered with a 100-kilowatt electric motor plus a 50-kilowatt-hour battery. This offers a range of 211 miles per charge. Peugeot states there is also a diesel and gas model available as well.

What’s unique about this electric vehicle is the charging methods. Users choose from three diverse ways. With a domestic plug, you achieve a complete charge within 20 hours. The dedicated charging point provides a full charge in about eight hours. Finally, the public terminal option allows for rapid charging.

Future of Electric Cars

The Peugeot electric car is just the start of what the industry is producing. In fact, in 2017 EV sales reached 1.1 million globally. That was an increase of 54 percent. What’s surprising is that China has 40 percent of the electric cars currently.

It makes sense for every manufacturer to join in the race to produce the best electric car. Just last year, Mercedes launched their first electric SUV and Volvo bought into FreeWire Technologies. We also see that GM and Amazon continue their plan to invest in Rivian Automotive. If you think electric technology only extends to cars, you are wrong. We’ve recently reported on an electric Ducati, electric Dune Buggy and an e-Bike.

The question remains – who will be the leader in electric technology? Will Tesla continue to be the most recognized name in the industry, or should we be on the lookout for another brand. Let us know your thoughts and we will continue reporting on the ever-changing landscape.

Electric Ducati Coming Soon: CEO Confirms

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As we’ve previously discussed, motorcycle manufacturers are jumping on board to offer EVs for their brand. Just like with the Harley-Davidson electric motorcycle, we can now confirm that there will be an electric Ducati on the way as well. This news comes from the company’s CEO and is quite exciting.

Electric Ducati
Electric Motorcycles

Electric Ducati Coming Soon

At this point, Ducati doesn’t currently produce an electric motorcycle, but it isn’t a foreign concept to them. In fact, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer is familiar with electric technology. In the past, they created multiple bicycles powered by electricity in collaboration with several other companies. They also produced the Ducati Zero, which is just a concept bike.

You might have seen Claudio Domenicali, the company’s CEO riding on a Ducati Hypermotard equipped with electric power. Back in 2017, the company’s Managing Director of Ducati also announced the plans for an electric scooter and motorcycle. At that time, the estimate for the first electric Ducati was slated for 2021.

Of course, they will have lots of competition in the electric motorcycle department. Between the LiveWire, Zero and other companies like Lightning Motorcycles, consumers have lots of options available.

The lowest price electric motorcycle available is the CSC City Slicker. Of course, it only goes about 45 mph, but you can get on the back of one for $2,500, making this a great urban transporter.

Ducati’s Electric Motorcycle

Ducati isn’t going to compete with many of the mainline motorcycle companies like Yamaha and Honda. Their famed design and brand legacy elevate them to a different level. With that said, it’s likely that we will see an electric bike from Ducati unlike anything else we might see on the market.

What are your thoughts about the upcoming Ducati electric motorcycle? Do you think you will splurge to own one or will you go with a cheaper bike option? Let us know in the comments.

New Tesla 5 Minute Buying & Delivery Program

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It’s been a goal of Tesla to reduce their delivery time and with the end-of-year rush, they had to do something. That’s why they introduced the new Tesla 5 minute buying and delivery process. But, will this new program speed up the process, or will it be a failed attempt for the electric automaker?

Tesla 5 minute buying
Tesla

Tesla 5 Minute Buying and Delivery

The program itself is referred to as ‘Instant Drive Away.’ In total, the buying and delivery time should only be five minutes.

To be eligible, customers must choose an inventory vehicle and purchase it with either cash, leasing or Tesla financing. With those options, the automaker is able to process the paperwork much faster so you won’t be able to take advantage of the new Tesla 5 minute buying program with third-party financing.

As far as their delivery goes, Tesla was using a new delivery company which wasn’t speeding up the process. That’s why they incorporated this new Instant Drive Away program.

Elon Musk has discussed the importance of lowering delivery time for a while now. That’s why the company experimented with several plans to achieve this goal. Remember the Tesla Direct which offered door to door service?

They even brought in some trucking companies to increase delivery volume.

End of Year Rush

Tesla claims to have a few vehicles left in inventory for the US market. They also announced that they are releasing some fleet vehicles for deliveries so that customers can take advantage of the tax credit which phases out next year.

As far as Tesla sales go for the year, the automaker did hit more than 80% of its delivery goal for the quarter. They could still accomplish the task if the employees are up for it. It should be interesting to see what happens!

Too bad the Tesla truck isn’t in production yet. We think that could’ve boosted their sales significantly.

Electric Volkswagen Dune Buggy Coming Soon

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After sharing that 2019 would be the final year of the Beetle, Volkswagen has laid another bombshell on us. They’ve reinvested their efforts into creating an electric Volkswagen Dune Buggy. It’s a Myers Manx-inspired vehicle and here’s what you want to know.

electric Volkswagen dune buggy
Volkswagen

Electric Volkswagen Dune Buggy

You might not know this, but VW has never produced its own dune buggy before. I know what your thinking; you’ve seen plenty of them. They were created from the Beetle chassis because the body was easy to remove, but Volkswagen was never the company behind them.

Now, Volkswagen wants in on the action and has decided it’s time to do it themselves. The new dune buggy would be based on their battery-powered platform that accommodates numerous body styles. It will be used for compact hatchbacks, a classic Microbus styled minivan and now the latest dune buggy creation.

Features on the VW Dune Buggy

Rumors circulated that the open-top dune buggy features oversized tires, a freestanding windshield plus a roll bar. Of course, we have to wait to actually see it to report more. If you remember, back in 2011, VW played around with the idea of creating a dune buggy. It was the gas-powered Buggy Up! Concept that never made it to market.

Of course, Volkswagen hinted at this idea all the way back to last year. Designers at VW said they wanted to bring back some type of open off-road vehicle that would allow consumers to have a good time. The VW dune buggy must be it.

2019 Volkswagen Lineup

There’s plenty to look forward to as we await more news of the dune buggy vehicle. In 2019, Volkswagen will continue to offer their Jetta and Passat models. They should fair well considering many other automakers have cut back the production of the car lineup.

In addition, it will be the final year of the Beetle. The Golf is also going strong and returns for another year. Aside from that, we expect a second-generation Tiguan crossover, a second year of the Atlas SUV and the new 2019 Arteon. Volkswagen has certainly diversified their automotive offerings, allowing there to be a car for just about anyone.

2019 Hyundai Kona Electric: First Look

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The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric costs less than the Tesla Model X, but will you be able to get one in your area. Let’s take a closer look at this electric SUV.

2019 Hyundai Kona Electric
Hyundai

2019 Hyundai Kona Electric

The Tesla Model X will run you about $110,000. For the same price, you could purchase three of the new 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric SUVs. They are just one of the companies attempting to make electric technology affordable for the average consumer.

Aside from that, Hyundai is a reliable company that isn’t going anywhere fast. Tesla, on the other hand, is still relatively new and hasn’t proven that they are in it for the long haul.

Other than it’s drivetrain, the Kona Electric is just like the regular version. It features a long wheelbase, MacPherson strut front suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels standard. It’s lightweight, has a strong structure and maximizes safety inside the cabin. Some of the active safety features include Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning and High Beam Assist.

It’s part of the reason that the 2019 Hyundai Kona was named to the 2019 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buys list.

More Features of the 2019 Kona Electric

Inside the cabin of this electric SUV, you’ll also find some standard tech features. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Blue Link LTE connectivity, HD Radio and SiriusXM radio are all standard. There’s also a seven-inch color LCD, auxiliary outputs, rear-view monitor and voice recognition included standard.

The Blue Link services are important because they are provided for three years at no cost to drivers. The package includes enhanced safety, remote, guidance and diagnostic services. It also works to provide Google Home, Destination Search by Voice, Remote Start with Climate Control, Car Finder, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Stolen Vehicle Recovery and Enhanced Roadside Assistance.

Some of the EV-only features include Charge Scheduling, Remote Charge Management, EV Range and EV Power History.

Performance of the EV Kona

The powertrain features a high-efficiency 150kW permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor which runs off a 64kWh lithium-ion. That produces 201 horsepower plus 291 pound-feet of torque. This front-wheel drive vehicle features a liquid-cooled battery system that operates at 356 volts.

The estimated range is 250 miles, so it’s not quite as capable as the Model X, but not far behind. In addition, it charges to 80% in only 54 minutes when utilizing a Level-III quick charge.

We expect to see the first 2019 Kona Electric SUVs arriving at the beginning of the new year. Starting prices are just $36,450, but there’s also the $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit to consider. The trouble is, this electric SUV is only going to be available in California at first. Later production should include the northeastern and western parts of the country.

EV Popularity by State – New Study

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If you ask anyone which state loves electric vehicles the most, they’ll probably respond with California. Even I thought it had to be this west-coast state. But just like you, I was proved wrong by a recent study from YourMechanic. It might surprise you to know that the top EV popularity by state goes to Oklahoma! That’s right – Oklahoma.

Tesla Model S - right side view
Tesla

A Look at EV Popularity by State

To conclude that Oklahoma was the winner, YourMechanic analyzed the charging costs, sales figures, amount of charging stations and EV market share per state. The final determination concluded which states were more accepting of EVs and how convenient it is to drive in that particular state.

Electric vehicles sales in Oklahoma are up over 167%, which helped them to clinch the title. My home state of Texas didn’t fare so well. If you’re curious where California ended up, prepare for another shocker. They were in 27th place.

In all fairness, many people in California already have an electric vehicle, so there’s probably no one else to sell to.

EV popularity by state
YourMechanic

Saving Fuel

If you want to save some money filling up your tank, they’ve evaluated your savings as well. The top state for savings would be Louisiana. Of course, Hawaii came in last place because electricity is expensive there even though they could use solar panels more.

Actually, Vermont listed as the highest for the largest number of charging stations per people. There’s a total of 165 which means one for every 3,780 residents. Want to know who has the least – Alaska. In fact, they only have nine charging stations. Pretty pathetic.

In all fairness, we don’t think electric vehicles fare well in Alaska anyway. The extreme cold drains batteries and there isn’t enough infrastructure to support EVs.

Bottom Line

If you live in Oklahoma, you can be proud to win EV popularity by state. As the wind sweeps across the plains, you can expect to see more EVs on the road in your state every day.

Elon Musk Steps Down as Chairman for Tesla

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The biggest news in the automotive world right now is that Elon Musk steps down as the Chairman for Tesla. After a good deal of pressure from the investors of Tesla and his lawyer, he stepped down in the company he co-founded. This was part of an agreement reached between the company and the S.E.C to resolve securities fraud charges. He must step aside for three years as well as pay a hefty $20 million fine.

Elon Musk steps down
Fortune

Elon Musk Steps Down

The S.E.C sued Elon Musk in federal court. Their claim was he misled investors with the post on Twitter saying he secured funding at $420 a share. Two days later, the deal was announced that required Elon Musk to step down.

Had he chosen to battle against the S.E.C, he might have lost his chief executive position of the company. This allows him to remain in that position while giving up his spot as Chairman for three years.

There’s more fallout as well. In fact, the company’s stock dropped about 14% last week when the S.E.C filed their lawsuit. Tesla has continued to attempt to minimize the damage caused by Musk’s tweet and recover from this incident.

Further Restraints

On top of that, Tesla is adding two additional independent directors who will monitor all of Musk’s communications with the investors. There is also going to be a permanent committee of independent directors which will oversee all the personal conflicts of interest as well as the disclosures.

In all of this, Elon Musk didn’t admit or deny any of the allegations. Because of this agreement, he can’t claim that he did nothing wrong at a later date. Of course, Musk is concerned with what this means as far as raising money for his other companies is concerned. Lucky for him, the S.E.C. granted waivers for the Boring Company and Space X so none of these settlements can be held against them.

While this settlement clears up some issues for Tesla, there are still other problems lurking beneath the surface. The S.E.C is still investigating Tesla’s past claims about production goals. On top of that, the board needs to figure out who’s replacing Elon Musk, which might be difficult.

In Other Tesla News

Tesla Model 3 Earns NHTSA Five-Star Crash Safety Rating

Tesla Paint Colors Narrowed for Quicker Production

Maserati Plug-in Lineup is the Future

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Maserati understands the future of automobiles utilizes electric for power. That’s why they’re poised to become a leader in North America simply by adding more plug-in options to their lineup. In fact, in the near future, the Maserati plug-in lineup might be all they offer.

Maserati plug-in lineup
Green Car Reports

Maserati Plug-in Lineup

This luxury Italian automaker plans on adding four fully electric vehicles to the lineup. They’re also adding on eight hybrid cars as well. Their goal is to compete with Tesla plus the other EVs coming from the high-end manufacturers.

In addition, it appears the following vehicles will emerge in the future:

Alfieri – While the sport coupe concept is no stranger to the automotive world, it will finally become a production vehicle during the 2020 model year. At that time, it will replace the GranTurismo and there will be a convertible option in 2021. The Alfieri EV will feature all-wheel-drive and three motors. We expect to see this during a 2020 release.

Entry-level Crossover – In late 2019, we expect to see an entry-level crossover added to the mix. It’s going to be built on the Giorgio platform with a rear-wheel-drive and hybrid powertrain available.

Ghibli – While it just had a small refresh, we expect to see a completely redesigned large sedan in 2021.

GranTurismo – Both the convertible and coupe will be removed from the lineup starting in 2020. Instead, the Maserati Alfieri takes their place.

Levante – The company’s first crossover is going to receive a new plug-in version during late 2019. It joins with the Trofeo edition, which will also debut this year. Then, in 2022, the company plans a redesign using the Giorgio platform. That’s also when the company intends to add in the Levante EV to the lineup.

Quattroporte – We expect a minor refresh during late 2019, but it should get a redesign in 2022. That’s also when the Quarttoporte EV will appear.

Moving to Electric

For any major automaker to stay in the game, it’s inevitable that they will start introducing more electric vehicles. We are excited to see the future Maserati plug-in lineup and will keep you informed of any updates.

Speaking of electric vehicles, have you had the chance to check out the Mercedes-Benz EQC yet?

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