Automakers are competing to meet the increasing demand for electric vehicles, resulting in a spate of at least 20 new models to be released on the European market in 2019.
Photo: Volkswagen
According to figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), only 2% of cars sold in Europe are fully electric or hybrid. But this is set to change as the EU raises its emissions targets and consumers become increasingly conscious of the environmental benefits of emobility. Sales growth for electric cars has been growing at a rate of almost 40% per year.
Here are just a few of the biggest launches expected for 2019.
VW ID Neo
According to a company spokesperson, VW’s new electric model will be positioned slightly below the Golf in terms of affordability and “will help to further establish battery electric vehicles in the mainstream and continue to improve VW’s image after the dieselgate episode.”
While the name ‘Neo’ is still not set in stone, the car itself will be available to order from Spring 2019, although deliveries will not take place until early 2020.
Audi E tron Sportback
While visitors to the 2017 Shanhai Motor Show were given a sneak preview of this model, its official launch will take place this year. While it is similar in size to the Audi A7, the driving position will be raised and it comes with three electric motors to boost hp to 486.
Porsche Mission E
This will be the first all-electric vehicle under the Porsche brand. Back in 2016 it won the Concept Car Design of the Year at the 2016 Geneva International Motor show so it is clearly good to look at.
But aside from the aesthetics, estimates suggest that the car will have a range of more than 310 miles on a full charge, and its acceleration is rumoured to be just 3.5 seconds from 0 to 60mph. According to Porsche, it will product 20,000 of these vehicles a year.
Jaguar XJ
The launch of Jaguar’s new XJ will see it replace its current XJ luxury model with an all-electric platform with no diesel or petrol alternatives. In another change for the company, Jaguar will offer a five-door hatch model which marks a departure from its standard four-door saloon.
Volvo XC40 Electric
Volvo has not been standing idly by either: the Swedish car giant’s first all-electric car, the XC40, will be launched in 2019. As yet, few details have been released about this model, but we can certainly expect to hear more in the coming months.
Tesla Model 3
Having seen a shaky start in the US market that saw some significant production issues, the Tesla Model 3 will arrive in Europe this year with the first deliveries expected in February.
The first cars to be introduced will be the higher-end version, including a special battery, giving them a range of up to 560 km (348 miles). The more affordable Model 3s will be available later in the year.
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