| If you have trouble reading this message, view it in a browser.  This week BMW rolls out two new EVs, Kia unveils the EV6, VW springs a surprise EV via LinkedIn, and you can check out the new Tesla Roadster in person. But first:  It's safe to say that the reveal of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning earlier this week was the EV debut of the year, at least in the U.S. where the internal combustion engine F-150 has been a dominant force in vehicle sales for decades. And it will have the best chance of converting pickup truck buyers to the electric religion. A work-oriented F-150 that has been electrified rather than a lifestyle model aimed at early adopters with deep pockets, the design of the electric truck differs little from its gas-engine twin outside of its unique front fascia. It's clear that Ford wanted the electric model to be almost stealthy, aiming to get repeat truck buyers accustomed to the idea of an electric truck, so the low-key differences between the "regular" F-150 and the F-150 Lightning will do just that.  Ford claims up to 300 miles of range and a 10,000-pound towing capacity. When it goes on sale in the spring of next year, the F-150 Lightning will serve up two battery options, offering 230 or 300 miles in the manufacturer-estimated EPA range, dual-motor AWD setups, and two power specs. A total of four trim levels will be offered but just one four-door crew cab body style, which will not only have the 5.5-foot bed but a generous frunk with a 2000-lb total payload capacity. Among other things, the F-150 will also offer a total of 11 power outlets for tools, and the ability to supply power back to a home in the case of an outage, kicking in automatically and then reversing the flow once power is restored. With a starting price of $39,974 for the "commercial-oriented entry model" before the $7500 federal tax credit, the base version of the F-150 Lightning will actually undercut its comparable gas-engine sibling in price. The F-150 Lightning won't be the first EV truck to go on sale—the Rivian R1T and the GMC Hummer will get to store shelves first, and so might the Tesla Cybertruck—but the Lightning should be the first truly mass-market electric truck that could turn the entire country (not just the left and right coasts) to EVs.  BMW is launching two new EVs, including this i4. Another EV launch event is right around the corner, with BMW planning to unveil the iX Sports Activity Vehicle and i4 Gran Coupé in early June. The Munich-based automaker will display the two models on June 1 in Los Angeles. The iX will be an X5-sized sport utility with an expected range of about 300 miles, while the i4 will aim to be the battery-electric 4 Series Gran Coupe in the range, as its name suggests. Both have already been seen in production form and will land on dealership shelves in early 2022. BMW will present the two models at [SPACE] by BMW, where they will be on display for the next six months.    Kia confirms its EV6 crossover is coming to North America, arriving in showrooms early next year. It's the first Kia built on Hyundai's new purpose-built E-GMP platform. Four drivetrain configurations will be offered, including a 576-hp all-wheel-drive version.  Not even a month after the reveal of the ID.4 GTX, VW's CEO unveiled an electric concept. The ID.X is a performance version of the ID.3, equipped with a bigger battery and modified chassis and appearance. It will purportedly hit 62 mph from a standstill in 5.3 seconds—and our sources tell us they suspect it will be built.   Spread the word: If you know someone interested in staying on top of the rapidly growing EV segment, feel free to pass this newsletter along.
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Friday, May 21, 2021
The Ford F-150 Lightning Is Here
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