16 Exciting electric crossover-SUV cars releasing in 2020 & 21 – Part 1/2

With increasing availability, the SUV is certain to emerge as the most popular body style in the electric segment worldwide. Here are some of the exciting electric crossover-SUVs arriving in 2020 and 2021 that could be getting charged in your driveway.

1.    Volvo XC40 Recharge

It was about time Volvo Cars joined the electric vehicle party, and they finally have with their first-ever fully electric offering – the XC40 Recharge. Based on the XC40 crossover, the Recharge version looks largely identical to its gas-sipping twin, save for the covered-up grilles and inlets, exclusive rim designs and ‘Recharge’ badge.

Where it largely differs from its IC-powered version is when the pedal is mashed to the floor. The XC40 Recharge’s 402 hp AWD electric drivetrain can help it accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The dual electric motors are powered by a 78 kWh battery pack capable of offering 400 km (WLTP cycle) electric range on a single charge. Once depleted, the battery pack can be charged from 0-80% in just 40 minutes with a fast-charging system. 

The XC40 electric is currently available in the UK market (RHD) where it costs £53,155 (Rs 47.64 lakhs). The XC40 Recharge is expected to launch in India in late-2021.

2.    Fisker Ocean

Rising from the ashes of bankruptcy in 2013 to give another go at producing and selling cars, Fisker was relaunched in 2016, although we might only see their first-ever product – the Fisker Ocean – at dealerships in the U.S from Q4 2021 and in India sometime in 2022.

Unveiled in January 2019, the Fisker Ocean is the company’s first electric SUV that looks ready for production. The company is yet to reveal full details and specifications of the Ocean, but have disclosed salient features that could attract attention: it comes with AWD as standard, the electric drivetrain can produce 300 hp, fast charging capability with 321 km of range in just 30 minutes, a performance version with 0-100 km/h in 3.0 seconds, and solar panels mounted onto the roof that can provide up 1610 km of electric range annually.

It’s also claimed to be the most sustainable vehicle ever to-be-made, featuring a vegan interior with a recycled t-shirt and plastic materials, and carpets made from old fishing nets. The Ocean will start from $37,499 (INR 27.7 Lakhs), and rival EVs like the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Kona EV and the Kia e-Niro.

3.    Byton M-Byte

Also aimed to hit dealerships in 2021, Chinese EV startup Byton’s first product, the M-Byte SUV hopes to rival premium crossovers like Mercedes EQC, Audi e-tron and the Tesla Model Y.

Key technical highlights of the M-Byte is its competitive 286 miles (460.2 km, WLTP cycle) electric driving range with the larger 95 kWh battery pack, 150 kW DC fast charging for just 35 minutes waiting time to 80% from 0%, a less-powerful version with a 72 kWh battery pack good for 223 miles (360 km, WLTP cycle) of electric range, a RWD version with a single 268 hp motor and an AWD version with dual motors combining to producing 402 hp.

Another crazy highlight of the M-Byte is the front 48-inch curved infotainment display that spans from the driver side to the passenger side. The M-Byte can be spec’d as a typical 5-seater with a rear bench seat for three people or a 4-seater with two captain seats and a floor console dividing the seats.

4.    Tesla Model Y

Customer deliveries having just commenced, the Tesla Model Y is a product that could turn out to be American electric car manufacturer’s most popular and best-selling one yet. Based on the Model 3’s platform, the Model Y crossover was unveiled to the world in March 2019. At the launch event, Elon Musk revealed that production would start in Fall 2020 but, fortunately for the initial batch of customers, Tesla managed to start production much ahead of schedule.

Unlike its bigger brother, the Model X, the Model Y does away with the fancy Falcon-wing rear doors for a set of regular ones. It will be sold in three Long Range versions – RWD (single motor), AWD (dual motor) and Performance AWD (dual motor) – at prices ranging from $48,000 (INR 35.7 Lakhs) to $61,000 (INR 45.3 Lakhs). There is also a cheaper Standard Range version that starts from $39,000 (INR 29.01 Lakhs), although customers can only get their hands on one in Spring 2021.

The Model Y Long Range Performance AWD and Long Range AWD are estimated to offer an electric range of 280 miles (451 km, EPA-cycle), the Long Range RWD could have a range of 300 miles (483 km, EPA-cycle), and the base Standard Range will, as the name indicates, have a lower range of 230 miles (370 km).

5.    Mazda MX30

Mazda’s first all-electric product is set to hit the showrooms soon, with pre-orders already open for European buyers, while the U.S market could get it in late 2020 or early 2021.

The MX-30 was unveiled with a warm welcome at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Show. It’s similar in size to the popular CX-3 compact crossover and has rear ‘Freestyle’ suicide doors like that of the BMW i3. To give it a sporty allure, the electric crossover borrows the ‘MX’ name from the company’s iconic MX-5 (Miata) sports car.

It has a single electric motor located in the front axle which outputs 105 kW (143 hp) and 265 Nm of continuous peak torque. The motor draws power from a 35.5 kWh Panasonic-sourced Li-ion battery pack. Given the MX-30’s relatively small battery pack and performance from the sole motor, it is good for a maximum electric range of 200 km (WLTP cycle, estimated).

6.    Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford’s newest electric crossover took the world by surprise for being called a ‘Mustang’: a name associated with a 2-door, gas-guzzling sports car immortalized in many Hollywood movies. Despite cries from the ‘Stang fans, the Mustang Mach-E impressed the automotive community at its unveiling in November 2019, representing the Detroit-based manufacturer’s focus towards an electrified future, while looking to set itself apart by offering fun and performance at an affordable price tag, something the original Mustang sports car became famous for.

Interested customers could put down a $500 deposit for the electric Mustang, and although the pre-orders were only for the limited First Edition model estimated to retail at $59,900 and the Premium model is expected to cost $50,600, Ford said the former was sold out as of 30 December 2019. Other variants slated to arrive later are the range-topping Mach-E GT ($60,500, est), Mach-E California Route 1, and the base Mach-E Select ($43,895, est). As per unofficial information, Ford has received over 40,000 reservations for the electric car, which represents 80% of its first year production.

The wide range of trims also brings options with respect to its powertrain and performance. There are two Li-ion battery pack options available: a standard range that comes with a 75.7 kW/hr battery pack and an extended range with a 98.8 kW/hr unit. With the extended range battery pack and RWD layout, the maximum range possible in a Mach-E is 300 miles (483 km, EPA-cycle). AWD is also available as an option, although the range drops to a maximum of 270 miles (434.5 km).

Ford is reportedly considering the launch of the Mustang Mach-E in India next year.

7.    Lexus UX300e

Like the XC40 Recharge, the UX300e is a direct derivative of the UX-series crossover. It is Lexus’ first production all-electric car that’s expected to go on sale in China this year, with other markets to follow in early 2021.

Unveiled at the Guangzhou Motor Show in 2019, the UX300e has a front-mounted electric motor producing 201 hp and 300 Nm of continuous peak torque. The single motor draws power from a 54.3 kWh battery pack, which is capable of holding charge worth for an estimated range of 186 miles/300 km (WLTP cycle). As far as performance is concerned, it can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds. Lexus has also revealed that it can charge from 0-80% in just 50 minutes.

8.    Mercedes EQB

The only EV in this list that’s yet to officially break cover, the Mercedes EQB will be the German manufacturer’s third all-electric SUV to go on sale, following the larger Mercedes EQC and smaller Mercedes EQA.

Based on the Mercedes GLB SUV, the EQB will have its grille covered up and a smooth nose for better aerodynamics. According to reports, the EQB will have dual electric motors placed on the front and rear axles each for better performance courtesy of the AWD system. 

Based on the variants, it can have a battery pack with sizes ranging from 60kWh to 100 kWh. Rumour has it that the base 60 kWh is capable of a 310-mile electric range. It’s unclear if the EQB will also offer the three-row seating option its IC-powered twin offers currently.

Spy video of the Mercedes EQB courtesy Youtube channel WalkoArtvideos.

Part 2 of the upcoming electric SUV/upcoming electric crossovers

Head here to read the second and final installment of this story.