3 Reasons 2022 Was the Best Year for Electric Vehicles Thus Far
The automotive industry is evolving. Automakers are producing vehicles that use alternative fuel sources like electricity and hydrogen. These new innovative vehicles will present their own fueling challenges, but the age of the internal combustion engine may be coming to an end, at least from a market share standpoint. More hybrids and fully electric vehicles are on American roads than ever before. The year 2022 marked many milestones on the road to electrification for several popular brands.
Ford began F-150 Lightning production in 2022
The Ford F-150 Lightning may not be Ford’s first electric vehicle, but it has the potential to be the most impactful Blue Oval EV, thanks to its predecessor. The F-150 Lightning is, in many ways, an electrified F-150. The Ford F-150 is currently America’s favorite pickup truck, rivaling the popular Ram 1500. Ford hopes that the F-150 Lightning will reign supreme as America’s favorite electric pickup truck in the years to come.
Ford began production on the F-150 Lightning in April of 2022. According to BusinessInsider, the demand for the new EV is so high that the automaker is in the process of building another factory to crank out more models. If demand is an indicator of how successful this nameplate could be in the future, then the sky is the limit for the F-150 Lightning.
The World Car of the Year was an EV for a second consecutive year
Several electric vehicles have been awarded the title of World Car of the Year thus far. In 2022, an EV was given the title for the second consecutive year. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 earned the title.
The Ioniq 5 amazes auto enthusiasts across the globe. The nameplate received plenty of attention and recognition in 2022. Now, it’s the EV to watch.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 proved that electric vehicles can be affordable, practical, and high-quality. South Korean automaker Hyundai has a ringer on its hands. The praise that the Ioniq 5 is getting is a win for electric vehicles because the small electric SUV acts as a clear entry point into the world of EVs for the average consumer. It’s more affordable than any of Tesla’s electric SUVs and still provides adequate driving range.
General Motors introduced the most affordable electric vehicle
Producing popular electric vehicles is clearly important to American automaker General Motors. GM is working on several new EV nameplates. In 2022, the automaker reintroduced the Chevy Bolt EV after its historic recall.
The Chevy Bolt’s reliability is still in question in the eyes of many consumers, but GM is working hard to make it an appealing option for drivers again. The 2023 Chevy Bolt EV electric hatchback starts at just $25,600. According to CNN, the Chevy Bolt EV is now the most affordable electric vehicle on the market.
The 2023 Bolt has an estimated 259-mile driving range. If the Bolt proves to be reliable over time, there’s no doubt that it’ll become one of the more popular EVs in the industry because of its reasonable pricing and impressive standard range.
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt is a milestone for the industry because it proves that American automakers can produce affordable and practical electric vehicles. The future of electric vehicles may be turbulent, but some of the milestones achieved in 2022 hint at brighter days ahead.
