September 14, 2023

Auto Shows and EVs: Where the Auto Industry is Heading in 2023 and Beyond

9 Min. Read

This article was originally published January 25, 2022 and was updated September 14, 2023

Consumers appreciate auto shows for the opportunity they create to examine new production and fantasy vehicles under the same roof without any sales pressure. Automakers welcome an opportunity to offer test drives and create excitement about their newest models. With so many EVs on display at this year’s auto shows, these showcases are key to getting car enthusiasts and mainstream drivers worldwide to adopt EVs en masse.

Top automakers came to this year’s shows in several of the world’s largest cities, eager to showcase their exciting new EVs, from all-electric prototypes and concept cars to early production models, displaying major improvements in the coming years.

Exceptional Electric Vehicles at the 2023 Auto Shows

The global EV market is surging. Sales are up, and public interest is growing, but with so many new models on the market, deciding which electric vehicle will best fit your needs can be challenging. An auto industry show is a great place for consumers to learn about EVs.

Three auto shows that impressed and intrigued us this year were in Shanghai, Chicago, and New York. Highlights of different vehicles from each auto show balance speed, range, and luxury with affordability, performance, and convenience. Note that the availability of these models varies by country.

A Short Note On kW and kWh

These acronyms are used frequently in this article. They stand for kilowatts (kW) and kilowatts per hour (kWh) and represent a measure of power consumed by any electrical device. The basic measurement of electricity is watts (W), and a kilowatt is 1000 watts at any set point in time, while kWh measures how many thousand watts any electric device consumes in one hour. Kwh can also be converted to horsepower, a measure of physical force.

Shanghai

The Shanghai Auto Show debuted 5 outstanding vehicles at the world’s largest automobile show this year, fitting for a country that accounts for over half of global EV sales.

Polestar 4

Polestar unveiled its second SUV, available in single or dual-motor versions, at this premier auto show in Shanghai. With an impressive range of 347 miles in the single-motor configuration, the dual-motor option is billed as the fastest Polestar, with 400kW (544 horsepower) and boasting a 0-62 mph speed of 3.8 seconds. To maximize range in the dual-motor version, a clutch disconnects the front motor when it is not needed. Polestar 4 will be available in the U.S. in 2024.

Source: The Driven.com April 23, 2023

Geely Holding ZeekrX

Built by another member of the Geely Group, owner of Polestar, Volvo, and Lotus, ZeekrX is a premium brand for the Chinese group. This electric vehicle is also available in single or dual motor configuration, with up to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds in the dual configuration and 5.8 seconds in the single motor version. Both versions are touted to have a range of 248 miles. Unfortunately, Zeekr, like many other Chinese cars, is not slated for entry into the U.S. market anytime soon.

Source: The Driven.com, April 23, 2023

Guangzhou Xiaopeng Motors Xpeng 6

An offering from another Chinese maker is based on the company’s latest 800V architecture and is capable of charging up to 182 miles in around 10 minutes, the G6 will be the company’s first such vehicle offered with this fast-charging feature. While the single-motor version will deliver up to 218kW, the dual motor will deliver up to 368kW. There are no immediate plans for delivery in the U.S., but as the company has expanded into Norway and other European markets, U.S. entry is expected eventually.

Source: The Driven.com, April 23, 2023

Neta GT

One of the few sports cars featured in the Shanghai auto show, this electric car from Neta also offers single or dual motors with 170kW or 340kW output. Sporting a 0-62 mph time of 3.7 seconds in the dual motor configuration, this electric vehicle is also promised to deliver a range of around 280 miles with the larger battery option. information on U.S. availability is scarce, as the deliveries in China are only beginning this June.

Source: The Driven.com, April 23, 2023

BYD Seagull

Striving to meet huge global demand for affordability, the Seagull from the Shenzen-based maker costs less than USD 20,000, although it is not yet available in the US market. Only available with a single motor, this city car offers two different battery options. The smaller, standard version at 30 kW will have a 189-mile range, while the larger battery option of 39 kW approximates around 251 miles of range.

Source: The Driven.com, April 23, 2023

Chicago

This auto industry show in the heartland of America featured affordability, performance, and practicality. There was also a stark message about the reality of the industry and the waning days of ICE vehicles as Dodge announced the last production year for its Charger and Challenger. As for practicality. E-trucks and E-SUVs were relatively common.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

A new offering from Hyundai, this 5-seat, 4-door sedan expects to challenge the BMW i4, Pole Star 2, and Chevy Bolt EUV. Featuring an estimated 340-mile range and a 77.4 kW battery producing between 225 and 320 horsepower depending on trim, the estimated MSRP for this electric car is $40,000 to $55,000. Remember that all MSRPs are before the federal tax credit of $7,500, or any state or local incentives. According to Hyundai, the Ioniq 6 hit the market this Spring.

Source: https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vehicles-on-display/2023/hyundai/ioniq-6/

Nissan Ariya

In a new EV crossover with FWD or AWD, Nissan’s first all-electric SUV is perfect for areas with variable weather conditions or rugged terrain. While range varies depending on the powertrain from 289 to 304 miles, the single-motor versions go from 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds while the top two-motor, AWD version, reaches that speed in 4.8 seconds. MSRP starts at $41,450 before incentives. The Ariya is now on the U.S. market.

Source: https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vehicles-on-display/2023/nissan/ariya/

Corvette E-Ray

In a case of hyper-performance meets practicality, the Corvette E-Ray is an all-new 2024 model. Combining a 6.2 liter ICE V-8 with a 1.9 kWh battery, this is the first Vette to offer AWD and a hybrid engine. On battery, it can travel up to 45 mph; with the V-8, it can hit 60 mph in 2.7 seconds. A first of this kind of Corvette, the E-Ray’s MSRP starts at $105,000 before any incentives.

Source: https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vehicles-on-display/2024/chevrolet/corvette-e-ray/

The Last Dance for Dodge ICE Performance Cars

In a milestone announcement, Dodge’s parent corporation announced that the Charger and Challenger, two prominent ICE performance cars, would cease production in 2023.

At the same time, Dodge showcased its 2023 Dodge Charger Daytona SRT EV Concept. This vehicle envisions the future muscle car, with two electric motor options available at 340 or 440 kW, capable of producing between 455 and 670 horsepower depending on the drive train.

https://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vehicles-on-display/2023/dodge/charger-daytona-srt-ev-concept 

The New York International Auto Show

Another major U.S. exhibition, the New York Internation Auto Show, featured more E-Trucks and E-SUVs, similar to Chicago’s Auto Show. Some of the highlights are shown below.

Dodge Ram REV 1500

Ram’s first EV offering is a king-sized one. With its REV name believed to mean revolutionary, it boasts 350 kW charging, bi-directional charging capabilities, and a huge 229 kW battery pack twice the size of any Tesla battery. Ram estimates a range of 500 miles for this truck, which is expected to hit the U.S. market in 2024. Car and Driver Magazine estimates MSRP will start around $58,000 before incentives.

Source: Car and Driver

KIA EV9

Consistent with the Ram REV’s “bigger is better” theme, The Kia EV9 cranks up the size of the Kia EV6. It builds on the success of the ICE Telluride SUV by expanding it to a three-row configuration for larger families. The EV9 will come with two power output versions, the basic model at 77.6 kWh and another long-range version at 99.8 kWh. According to Car and Driver, the basic version’s range is unknown, but the long-range version is rated at 300 miles. The EV9 should go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2024 at an MSRP between $56,000 and $73,000 before incentives.

2024 Hyundai Kona Electric

Smaller than the EV9, this updated, all-new generation Kona SUV offers two different battery packs of 48.6 and 64.8 kWh, with ranges of 197 to 260 miles, respectively. It is expected to go on sale in the U.S. in late 2024 at an estimated MSRP of $35,000 before incentives. Interestingly, Hyundai chose the 2024 model to debut Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, the ability to update onboard software wirelessly, like smartphones.

Changing Federal Tax Incentives

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 extended the $7,500 per EV federal vehicle credits for another 10 years but also imposed conditions requiring a certain percentage of American-made materials on cars and batteries, along with price limitations. This is already creating jobs across the country and further boosting the economy with continued investments across the U.S. in support of this.

Expanding Public Charging Infrastructure

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act of 2021 established $7.5 billion in funding for states to expand public charging stations. The goal for 2030 presently stands at 500,000 chargers.

However, projections show demand for 2.13 million Level 2 and 172,000 Level 3 public chargers. Other means of charging, such as residential charging, are crucial.

Home Charging Becomes Critical

Home charging is convenient, cheaper, and more reliable than public charging, and given that a shortfall of public charging stations looms, home charging must pick up the slack.

Federal incentives of up to $1,000 per home charger can help ease purchasing and installation costs, but keep in mind that select OEMs may offer charging rebates, and state and local incentives also apply. Utilities across the country are also working to support the rising demand by offering installation incentives, tiered pricing, and other benefits to ease the transition toward e-mobility further.

Additionally, solar is an effective and economical source to charge EV home chargers, and the federal tax credit was recently increased to $30,000 per system from the previous $26,000.

Batteries and Range

The cost of lithium-ion batteries dropped 89% from 2008 to 2022. In terms of kWh, that is a drop from $1,355/kWh to $153/kWh. As a result, EVs can now provide greater range with the same kWh, and ranges and efficiency are only continuing to increase.

The next big thing in EV batteries is safer solid-state batteries that can hold up to three times the charge than lithium-ion batteries. While still under development, the future of EV batteries in manufacturing, performance, and recycling is increasingly promising.

Nuclear Fission

For the first time, in 2022, scientists managed to produce more energy from nuclear fission than they used to produce it. While in the distant future, nuclear fission holds immense promise for clean energy to power the grid.

Driving an Electric Vehicle, Made Easy

It is fascinating to consider future developments, but the world is moving to electrification, and the demand for electric vehicles is already here.

If you are looking for help getting your home ready for an EV and need charging installation, Qmerit is here to help. As the leader in EV charger installations and other electrification services throughout North America, Qmerit-certified electricians use commercial-grade materials and will work with you to ensure your charging solution is safe, efficient, and designed to meet your needs.

Qmerit makes going electric easier, and with a Peace of Mind Guarantee, you know it’s an installation you can rely on for years to come. Contact Qmerit today to begin your electrification journey.