The first electric vehicle in the U.S. dates all the way back to 1890. William Morrison, a chemist who lived in Des Moines, Iowa, was the creator of a six-passenger vehicle which was capable of reaching top speeds of 14 mph. Although at the most basic level it was simply an electrified wagon, it helped spark interest in what we now picture the modern day EV. So while the idea of EVs have been around for more than 100 years, it seems they are still slow to gain mainstream traction in U.S. markets. “The share of the public interested in purchasing an EV is down 4 percentage points from May 2022,” according to Pew Research Center. One of the biggest obstacles to EVs becoming mainstream is the availability of public charging stations throughout the U.S.
Despite the reason why EVs are slow to take control of the market, one thing we do know is that the electric powered cars are better for the environment. There are many benefits to purchasing an electric vehicle. In addition to helping the environment, you can also save a lot by not having to pay for gas and being able to charge your car conveniently at home. EY.com estimates that “sales of battery EVs and plug-in hybrid EVs will make up 55% of total global vehicle sales by 2030.” With this in mind, it might be a good idea to start looking into EVs and the different options out there.
Below we have compiled a list of the best electric vehicle brands of 2023:
1. Tesla
Its no surprise the EV maker Tesla comes in at number one. Tesla has been reinventing how the public views electric vehicles since 2008 when it introduced the first high-performance electric vehicle to the world, the Tesla Roadster. Today, Tesla’s lineup consists of the Model 3, Model S, Model Y, and Model X. Tesla leads EVs in sales by a large margin. The Model 3 and Model Y make up 62% of total EV sales in Q1 2023, reported by CleanTechnica.
2. Kia/Hyundai Group
If you’re looking for a non-Tesla option, Kia/Hyundai could be a good fit. A lot of people actually prefer these EVs over Tesla for a few reasons. Hyundai currently offers the most variety and the most interesting products, with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 a top-seller in the US. Also, some people might prefer the sporty look and feel of a Kia and Hyundai EV over the rounded curves on a Tesla. The Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 6 are great examples of these sporty designs. The top selling EVs in Kia/Hyundai’s lineup include the Kia Niro, Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Hyundai Kona Electric.
3. Mercedes
If you’re looking for a luxury EV model, then Mercedes could be a good option. Mercedes currently offers five different EVs in the US, which is the most of any automaker. Even though the prices of Mercedes EVs are higher than that of a Tesla Model 3 or Y, the interiors are nicer and the ride quality is better. The Mercedes lineup includes the EQB SUV, EQE Sedan, EQE SUV, EQS Sedan, and EQS SUV. The EQS Sedan and the EQB SUV were top-sellers in Q1 2023.
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