The automotive industry is evolving. Car manufacturers are producing vehicles that use alternative fuel sources such as electricity and hydrogen. These innovative new vehicles will present their own fuel challenges, but the era of the internal combustion engine may be coming to an end, at least from a market share standpoint. More hybrids and all-electric vehicles are on American roads than ever before. The year 2022 marked many milestones on the path to electrification for various popular brands.
Ford began production of the F-150 Lightning 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 ever, 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 expects the F-150 Lightning to reign as America’s favorite electric pickup truck for years to come.
Ford began production of the F-150 Lightning in April 2022. According to Business Insider, demand for the new EV is so high that the automaker is in the process of building another factory to produce more models. If demand is any indicator of how successful this nameplate could be in the future, then the sky’s the limit for the F-150 Lightning.
The World Car of the Year was an EV for the second year in a row
Several electric vehicles have been awarded the World Car of the Year title so far. In 2022, an electric vehicle took the title for the second year in a row. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 won the title.
The Ioniq 5 wows car enthusiasts around the world. The nameplate got a lot 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 something on its hands. The praise the Ioniq 5 receives is a victory for electric vehicles because the small electric SUV acts as a clear entry point into the world of electric vehicles 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 the American automaker General Motors. GM is working on several new nameplates for electric vehicles. In 2022, the automaker reintroduced the Chevy Bolt EV after its historic recall.
The reliability of the Chevy Bolt is still in question in the eyes of many consumers, but GM is working hard to make it an attractive 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 driving range of 259 miles. If the Bolt proves reliable over time, there’s no doubt it will become one of the most popular EVs in the industry due to its reasonable price and impressive standard range.
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt is a milestone for the industry because it demonstrates that American automakers can produce affordable and practical electric vehicles. The future of electric vehicles can be turbulent, but some of the milestones achieved in 2022 point to brighter days ahead.