New competitors are entering the electric-vehicle space, poised to give consumers more options and conventional car companies a run for their money. Here are five car companies entering the EV playing field and showing off their wares at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show. And they didn’t go unnoticed.
Czinger 21
This vehicle is a zinger – the Czinger 21 is the world’s first human AI-designed and 3D-printed hypercar. Designed, manufactured and assembled in Los Angeles, it’s stunning with its butterfly doors, ocean blue colour and curvaceous styling cues. Not only is the car a manufacturing and high-tech marvel, it is the fastest production car in the world and weighs only 1,250 kilograms. The in-house designed hybrid powertrain pairs electric motors with a 2.9-litre twin turbo V8 that’s capable of delivering 1,250 horsepower. And if you want more power, a 1,350 horsepower option is also available. Only 80 will be built, starting at a whopping US$2-million with deliveries taking place next summer.
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The Czinger 21 is the world’s first human AI-designed and 3D-printed hypercar.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Indi One
The Indi One from a California-based Indi EV, has electric motors that produce 475 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque and can propel it to 100 kilometres per hour in 4.2 seconds. It also has an all-electric range of about 480 kilometres. Inside, it’s a high-tech cabin that’s spacious with seating for five. It has a panoramic roof, ambient lighting and the best part – passengers have access to a built-in computer for gaming or streaming. Safety features include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep and change assist, auto and remote parking assists. Prices start at US$45,000 for the single rear-wheel-drive motor and US$69,000 for the dual all-wheel-drive motor with delivery expected in spring of 2023.
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The Indi One has an all-electric range of about 480 kilometres, and a high-tech cabin that’s spacious with seating for five.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Charge ‘67
This ain’t no ordinary Pony car. This is the Charge ‘67, which ushers in a new era of muscle car performance with an electric touch. It’s built on a new, licensed Ford Mustang body shell that comes courtesy of British car company Charge Cars. This Charge ‘67, painted in matte blue, is fully electric. Wrapped in lightweight composite body panels, it’s powered by electric motors and floor-mounted batteries. It has a 63 kilowatt-hour battery and a claimed range of 320 kilometres. It’ll deliver 536 horsepower and 1,120 lb-ft of torque and can hit 100 kilometres per hour in less than four seconds. This hand-built EV is available in limited quantities – only 499 will be up for grabs. Prices start at £350,000 – that’s more than $550,000.
The Charge '67 is powered by electric motors and floor-mounted batteries.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
VinFast
Vietnamese automaker VinFast is growing fast and furious with its electric vehicle lineup, adding two more SUVs to the North American market for a total of four EVs in its portfolio. The electric VF 6 and VF 7 are both styled by the famous Italian design house, Torino Design. Of the two, the smaller VF 6 crossover is cooler than its mid-size VF 7 counterpart, especially in that unmistakable mustard shade with its trademark slim, V-shaped front light bar. Inside, it’s modern with a spacious, tech-filled interior and large centre touch screen. It also comes with a 10-year warranty and a 10-year unlimited mileage or lifetime warranty on the EV battery – one of the best warranties in the business.
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With the addition of the VF 6 and VF 7, Vietnamese automaker VinFast now has four EVs in its portfolio.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
ElectraMeccanica Solo
This tiny little ride is a Canadian-made invention from Vancouver’s ElectraMeccanica. This three-wheel EV is designed for a single person hence the name, Solo. Ideal for urban commutes, it has a range of up to 160 kilometres on a single charge and no special outlets or chargers are needed to recharge. You can charge it overnight using a regular 110-volt outlet – it’ll take about 12.5 hours. On a Level 2, or 220-volt outlet, it’ll take 2.5 hours to get up to an 85-per-cent charge. Prices start at $18,500.
The three-wheel ElectraMeccanica Solo EV doesn't need any special outlets or chargers to recharge.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail