Electric cars face challenges as we head into 2024.
Audi recently postponed its shift to electric vehicles until 2030. Jaguar is fighting to survive until it can make the expected shift next year.
Ford and General Motors appear to be scaling back their electric power efforts, while other automakers are discussing closing dealerships to stem their financial drain, which many attribute to weak demand for electric vehicles.
I’ve owned two electric cars and ordered another, which will be on this list, but we are currently transitioning.
While all transformations are ugly, this one is repulsive because the ecosystem was not and is not prepared for this transformation.
I have no doubt that all of this will be resolved by the end of the decade, but we will likely have a whole new slate of automakers, and many of the ones currently in place could be bought out or shut down due to this shift.
Let’s talk about the five best electric cars in the world right now, some of which are not available in the United States.
We’ll wrap up with my #1 product of the week for 2024, the best electric car charger on the market.
Understand the Practical Application of Electric Vehicles
Evaluating the Best Electric Vehicles: Criteria and Considerations
When selecting a “best of” list for electric vehicles, it is crucial to understand how the reviewer determines the criteria for “best.” Personal experience plays a significant role in this evaluation. For instance, I have owned two fully electric cars and currently own a plug-in hybrid. This experience has shown me that a plug-in hybrid often makes more sense for most people today because it does not rely solely on existing charging infrastructure for long-distance travel.
Current Limitations of Electric Vehicles: Range and Charging Infrastructure
Until recently, electric cars have been best utilized as secondary vehicles, ideal for round trips of less than 200 miles. This limitation allows owners to charge their vehicles at home while avoiding public charging stations. Unfortunately, the reliability of Level 3 chargers has been a significant concern, with Tesla being the only brand consistently offering dependable charging solutions. For those who can charge primarily at home, the inconvenience of public charging becomes less of an issue, providing peace of mind by eliminating the need to visit unreliable charging stations.
The Future of Electric Cars: Emerging Technologies and Standards
Currently, many electric vehicles on the market combine an internal combustion engine (ICE) with electric technology, which can lead to reliability issues due to the outdated technology conflicting with modern advancements. For the best results, I recommend choosing electric cars that minimize this older technology and offer a range of at least 300 miles, which is sufficient for most drivers’ needs. If your daily commute exceeds 200 miles round-trip, you might want to consider vehicles with longer ranges, as cars capable of over 600 miles are on the horizon. It is advisable to continue using an ICE or plug-in hybrid until 2026, when electric vehicles with longer ranges and more advanced batteries become available. Additionally, I prefer cars equipped with a NACS (Tesla’s North American Charging Standard) port over the non-Tesla J1772 port, as the industry seems to be gravitating towards the NACS standard, likely enhancing the car’s resale value in the future.
This will also likely increase the car’s resale value when it’s finished.
Here are my picks for the five best electric cars.
The New Tesla Model 3
Tesla has just updated its Model 3. Although it’s not as advanced as the Tesla Cybertruck, it’s more practical, better priced, and better looking than its bigger, more advanced brother.
With Tesla’s lineup updated, the improvements are worth the wait.
Currently, the Model 3 is the most affordable updated offering and sets the standard for affordable electric vehicles designed from the ground up.
It can be configured with a range of up to 333 miles, which is above the low end of my range bar and has decent performance.
Tesla fit and finish have improved recently (early Model 3s were often delivered incomplete) and it remains one of the best values on the market.
Tesla is also in a good financial position, so among the exclusive EV suppliers, it is most likely to be around in five years,
which is always a consideration since we already have several EV companies that have gone bankrupt.
While prices start at $30,000, fully configured, it’s closer to $45,000, which is still good value.
Lucid Air Sapphire
If I were rich, I would buy a Lucid Air Sapphire. With up to 1,234 horsepower, this car is at the top end of supercars in terms of performance (1.89 seconds from 0 to 60 mph).
It’s in Tesla form but if you want a no-compromise electric car in the US, this is it.
The Lucid Air Sapphire is one of the first cars to use 900-volt charging systems (good luck finding a 900-volt charger today), making it somewhat future-proof. It can be configured with a range of up to 427 miles.
Recently, this car was used in the Gumball Rally, but it didn’t break the record because it can’t use Tesla chargers yet, highlighting the usefulness of that charging network.
It’s another basic design that highlights what could be done if the price were almost nothing.
Fisker Ocean Extreme
Since I’m not rich, I recently ordered a Fisker Ocean Extreme, which is much less expensive, at about $65,000 (prices start at the more cost-effective $38,000).
It also features a basic design with a configurable range of about 364 miles, making it meet the minimum easily.
Not only is this Fisker a decent-looking car, but it also offers several unique features, such as an airline-like folding table for the driver.
I tend to eat burgers when I travel by car, and having a table to put my food on would be very helpful. It is also useful when you have to sign a toll receipt.
As one of the most attractive electric cars on the road, I’d put my money on the Ocean Extreme even though the company is in a lopsided financial position.
Rivian R1S/R1T
The Rivian R1S SUV or R1T pickup truck (there are two possible configurations), with a range of up to 410 miles in the truck and up to 390 miles in the SUV,
This vehicle is one of the first electric models to offer a four-motor option. This feature should perform much better than twin-motor electric vehicles, especially off-road or in snowy and icy conditions. The four-motor setup allows for infinite power variation across all four wheels.
The four-motor capability makes Rivian one of the most advanced electric vehicles on the market. It also features some unique and interesting aspects, including an RV-style slide-out tray under the truck’s back bed.
This car is priced at around $80,000, depending on configuration, but the Delta is worth it for those four engines.
I’ve seen this truck overtake a Ford Raptor while towing a trailer. It’s an impressive vehicle, more affordable, and more practical than a Tesla truck.
Zeekr 001
I will close my list with one of the Chinese cars that we cannot buy here. This car is considered one of the most beautiful electric cars available on the market.
For example, from a distance, you might think it’s a Porsche Taycan.
With a range of about 640 miles, the vehicle boasts an impressive interior. Its discounted pricing starts at under $40,000. For comparison, a Porsche begins around $90,000 and can reach up to $160,000.
this is one of the best deals currently on the market.
Although you can’t buy the Zeekr 001 in the U.S., many expect it to be very similar to the Polestar 4. The Polestar 4 will be available here this year with a starting price of around $60,000. It’s an impressive car, too.
I chose this car over the BYD Denza N7 for a few reasons. First, it’s a little cheaper. Second, I think it looks better. Finally, it’s a preview of the car that will be available here.
(Note: BYD has surpassed or is expected to surpass Tesla as the world’s leading electric vehicle company.)
China has some very competitive electric vehicles entering the market. However, the current market protectionism preventing them from entering the United States will not last indefinitely.
Wrapping Up
As noted, I chose the Fisker Ocean as the electric car that best matched my needs. None of the legacy U.S. car companies have vehicles that I view as competitive,
Primarily because they continue to approach this market with cars that are derivative of their ICE vehicles.
That approach makes these cars more expensive. Additionally, they are less performant than those brought to market by more focused electric car companies.
