It’s safe to say that 2019 was a great year for new electric cars. If you think the market might have peaked, think again as 2020 is shaping up to be even better.
There are huge numbers of new EVs due in 2020, and many of them are extremely important. There are a few halo models that grab the public’s attention, but most are affordable electric cars with a good range and great style.
We’ve picked ten of the best, but it’s been a struggle to whittle it down. Read on to see which new cars due out in 2020 have made Zap-Map’s list of the ones to watch.
Polestar 2
Polestar is set to challenge the likes of Tesla’s Model 3 and Jaguar’s I-Pace in the premium EV market. Stylish, practical, and with a range of 311 miles on a single charge, the Polestar 2 has all the attributes to succeed.
Backed by Volvo’s electric know-how, the 2 will be Polestar’s second model to arrive, shortly behind the range-extended 1 coupe. Charging the 78 kWh battery will only take around half an hour on an ultra-rapid point, and the Polestar 2’s powertrain certainly packs a punch.
With 300 kW on offer from twin electric motors, the 0-62mph time is dispatched in 4.7 seconds. Add in the fact that Polestar’s performance-minded engineers have been working their magic on the suspension, and the 2 should rival the Jaguar in terms of driving experience. Costing around £50,000, the Polestar 2 is due to start production early in 2020.
Mini Electric
The Mini Electric seems like a match made in heaven for driving aficionados. Combine Mini’s legendary driving dynamics with the instant pickup and performance of an electric powertrain, and the Mini Electric looks set to be a star.
Visually similar to the conventional hatch, the Mini Electric has a tweaked interior – particularly the driver’s instruments – and different options for colour highlights and wheels. Other than that, discreet ‘E’ badging are the only other signs that this Mini is electric.
Mini assures the Electric is set to offer the same blend of agile handling and performance conventional Cooper S models do, though with an electric driving range of 144 miles on a single charge. Prices start at a little under £25,000 and the Mini Electric is expected in showrooms in March 2020.
Peugeot e-208
This mention could also include the Vauxhall Corsa-e and DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, as all three are largely the same EV under the skin. It’s something about the Peugeot’s styling and supermini roots that win it out over its PSA Group stablemates.
Peugeot itself has said that demand was far higher than anticipated, with the e-208 having clearly caught buyers’ imaginations. Considering the Peugeot has a range 217 miles on a charge and 100 kW rapid charging capabilities, it looks like the e-208 is persuading buyers that would otherwise have picked a petrol or diesel version to go electric.
Pricing starts at around £25,000 for the electric supermini, with a choice of four trims available and deliveries expected early in 2020.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
The XC40 Recharge is Volvo’s first pure-electric model to make it into production – and it looks set to be a winner. Having successfully electrified its entire line-up with a PHEV option available for each model – and in some case two PHEVs – Volvo has taken the next logical step and added a pure-electric model to its range.
Sharing expertise with its Geely parent company, Volvo has drawn on the Chinese firm’s expertise and combined it with it’s own now extensive plug-in know-how. As such, a range of 249 miles is possible on a charge from the compact premium electric SUV.
A pair of electric motors combine for all-wheel drive and some potent performance. Expect prices around the £50,000 mark and deliveries towards the middle of 2020.
VW ID.3
When VW pitches the ID.3 as a car that is equal to the Beetle and Golf in terms of importance, it’s difficult to overestimate the significance the EV will have on the company. Essentially Golf-sized, the practical family hatchback will have interior space more on a par with the larger Passat thanks to the packaging options opened up with electric powertrains.
Set to be offered in a range of options, buyers of the ID.3 will initially be faced with a choice of three battery sizes. Picking 45 kWh, 58 kWh, or 77 kWh will see ranges available of 205, 261, or 342 miles respectively. Ultra-rapid charging at 100 kW DC is possible, and further down the line, different motor options and configurations will become available.
Prices will start at between £25-30,000, with deliveries starting in Spring 2020.
Porsche Taycan
A four-door saloon with supercar-like performance, Porsche is taking its first electric model very seriously. Available in one of four specifications initially – technically 4, Turbo & Turbo S, but with a battery upgrade option for the Taycan 4 – the Taycan will offer true Porsche performance, both in terms of acceleration and handling.
Offering ranges between 252 and 287 miles depending on specification, the Taycan’s USP is its ultra-fast recharging capability. It’s able to accept 270 kW from DC CCS chargers, which should allow a top-up to 80% in around 20 minutes, adding more than 200 miles or range in that time.
Prices start at around £80,000 and deliveries for those eager to put their name on the waiting list are expected early in 2020.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
It’s taken a while for Ford to take the idea of launching an electric car seriously, but it’s certainly putting its weight behind the Mustang Mach-E. Using the iconic Mustang name links the pure-electric SUV to a history few manufacturers could ever boast, let alone with an EV. It will put some die-hard Pony Car fans off, but attract many more buyers in.
Due to be available with a choice of battery and performance specifications, the Mustang Mach-E will certainly match up to the performance demands of Mustang fans. Charging will be possible at up to 150 kW DC for the model, offering either 75 kWh or 99 kWh battery packs – the latter good for a range of more than 370 miles on a charge.
Pricing has not yet been announced, but expect prices to start around £45-50,000, though buyers will have to wait until the end of 2020 for deliveries in the UK.
Honda e
Few cars will be able to match the Mini Electric for appeal and cool, but the Honda e will certainly give it a good fight. Very similar in concept to the Mini, the Honda eschews a headline-grabbing range in favour of urban agility and style.
As such, the range is ‘only’ 136 miles on a charge – more than enough for many buyers anyway. Power will come from a choice of two electric motors, either of which power the rear wheels, and the e’s turning circle is tiny. As such, it looks ideal for those that mainly drive in or to urban areas.
Prices start at around £26,000 and deliveries should start in summer 2020.
Audi e-tron GT
Audi already offers the e-tron SUV, and it is due to bring out the e-tron Sportback early in 2020, a sleeker version of the e-tron. It is the e-tron GT however that gains our attention in this feature, with Audi’s third EV due later on.
The stylish four-door coupe will go up against the likes of Tesla and VW Group stablemate Porsche when the e-tron GT arrives. In fact, it’s a sister-car to Porsche’s Taycan. The interesting thing with here is that the e-tron GT will fall under the development of the Audi Sport umbrella, the first EV from the four-ringed brand to do so.
Expect similar levels of performance to the Taycan then, both in terms of pace and charging. A distinctly Audi character should be instilled in the car, harking back to the original Quattro, for a model that will cost towards £100,000 and due to arrive late in 2020.
Kia Soul EV
Kia has form in this EV game, having already launched the first-generation Soul EV a number of years ago, and currently producing the excellent e-Niro. Add in the Hyundai Nexo and Ioniq, and the group has a formidable EV line-up.
Here, the second-generation Soul EV shares a powertrain with the e-Niro, but sits with greater style in a smaller footprint. As such, the Soul EV has a range of 280 miles on a charge, and will charge at up to 100 kW DC.
Despite being focused on style, the Soul EV remains practical, and prices start at a bit under £35,000. Deliveries are scheduled for early 2020.
What else?
There are so many EVs due out in the coming 12 months or so that it’s been impossible to list them all in this top 10 – and we’ve completely ignored PHEVs in the list. There are a number of honourable mentions to give however, firstly to Tesla.
The Model Y and Roadster have both been pitched in the past as having a 2020 launch date, but the previous three ‘Model’ cars Tesla has produced have all seen their UK delivery dates slip back. As such, we’re not expecting either to arrive on these shores next year, but would love to be pleasantly surprised. Both very different propositions, the Model Y will be an SUV version of the Model 3 and challenge the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Polestar 2 above. The Roadster on the other hand will be pitched against the world’s fastest hypercars.
Other models to be mentioned here come from the VW Group. The Seat El-Born for example is expected in 2020 and is based on the VW ID.3. It’s the same principle that Seat uses with its Leon hatch from the VW Golf, and it works well. The VW Group sharing philosophy will also be seen in the citycars it produces. An updated VW e-up! will be joined for the first time by Seat Mii Electric and Skoda Citigo-e iV variants, further increasing options for buyers in the citycar class.
As mentioned above, the Vauxhall Corsa-e and DS 3 Crossback E-Tense will prove very important for the respective companies, and we expect models to appear from the likes of BMW, Fiat, and perhaps Lexus next year with the iX3, 500e, and UX 300e respectively.
It’s going to be a busy 12 months then, and the above models are only some of the cars we know about – doubtless some others will be revealed in the new year. Remember to head to Zap-Map’s EV pages to find out more about electric cars.
