My friend, if you weren‘t closely following the recent CES 2023 tech trade show, you really missed out on some awe-inspiring peeks at the electric vehicle innovations on the horizon! As an avid EV fan, I couldn’t help but geek out seeing automakers showcase cutting-edge concept cars alongside soon-to-launch models.
Consumer electronics exhibitions have become essential venues for vehicle manufacturers to demo emerging transportation technologies to global audiences. Attracting over 100,000 attendees this year, CES 2023 hosted an electrified lineup racing toward production. Judging by the boundary-pushing EVs unveiled in Las Vegas, we’re accelerating toward an emissions-free automotive future faster than you might think!
Let’s examine five showstoppers that dropped jaws and get my take on what these previews tell us about the road ahead…
Overview: EVs Take Center Stage
Electric cars entered the mainstream only recently, yet adoption is soaring. Consumers purchased over half a million EVs in 2022, almost double the prior year‘s registrations per Cox Automotive estimates. And market share is estimated to reach 24-30% globally by 2030 according to Ernst & Young.
Legacy and startup automakers alike are capitalizing by racing to electrify their offerings. Companies sank over $100 billion into EV and battery development in 2022 based on industry data. Much of this investment aims to unlock advancements showcased for the first time at events like CES before reaching customers.
So set aside your outdated notions of dorky golf cart-like EVs! The concepts debuting alongside more incremental releases foreshadow actively compelling and radically designed electric rides on the horizon…
Ram 1500 Revolution: Over 100 Miles Per 10-Minute Charge
Ram sent shockwaves by launching its bid for the future electric truck space – the 1500 Revolution concept pickup. Outfitted for work and leisure, Ram packed the Revolution with productivity enhancements like video conferencing projectors and a commanding 17-inch touchscreen.
- But efficiency takes center stage via jaw-dropping 350 kW charging enabling over 100 miles of range from a 10-minute pitstop.
- That‘s 2-3x quicker than current fast-charging enabled trucks! Imagine restoring 30-40% charge while grabbing lunch.
- The Revolution previews intelligent driving aids too – sensors and AI allow it to autonomously "shadow" its owner walking ahead up to 10 mph.
“We‘re rethinking what it means to bring electrification into truck owners’ lives, from charging to productivity to entertainment,” said Ram CEO Mike Koval at CES.
He confirmed they are targeting late 2024 for the Revolution’s potential launch. That may seem like ages, but bringing such a complex EV pickup platform to life after their first concept debut deserves kudos!
Ram 1500 Revolution Key Stats
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | Undisclosed |
| Max Range (est.) | 350 miles |
| 0-60 mph Time | Undisclosed |
| Peak Power Output | Undisclosed |
| Towing Capacity (est.) | 10,000+ pounds |
| Fast Charge Rate | 350 kW enables 100+ miles in 10 minutes |
| Driver Aids | Autonomous "Shadow" driving mode up to 10 mph |
Let’s be real – if Ram delivers on these astronomical charging promises, they could definitely tempt the Tesla Cybertruck’s prospects once both enter production!
GMC Hummer EV: Embracing Excess to Shift Perceptions
Not one to ignore competition creeping in, GM’s GMC brand fired back by upgrading its lauded Hummer EV Edition 1 pickup. Introduced in late 2021, the existing production Hummer EV pickup can already scream from 0-60 mph in 3 seconds thanks to a GM-estimated 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb.-ft. of torque.
GMC is now upping the ante further across amenity, driving assistance and manufacturing fronts:
- Expanded regular hands-free driving domain through enhanced Super Cruise capabilities
- Upgraded interior audio via a tailored 19-speaker system by Bose
- Committing over $6.6 billion to expedite EV production through 2024 at its Factory ZERO plant, increasing Hummer EV output from 20K to over 30K units annually
“With game-changing performance and a revolutionarily interactive experience, the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the Hummer EV Edition 1 made us confident to increase production,” said GMC VP Duncan Aldred.
Key Hummer EV Pickup Specs
| Spec | Hummer EV Edition 1 | Upgrade Details |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 200+ kWh | No change |
| Max Range | 329 mi (est.) | No change |
| 0-60 mph | 3.0 sec (est.) | No change |
| Peak Power | 1000+ HP (est.) | No change |
| Fast Charge Rate | 350 kW | No change |
| Hands-Free Driving | Expanded to 200K+ miles of mapped roads |
Despite environmental implications worth examining, the Hummer EV shows legacy automakers can leverage heritage brands to dramatically shift perceptions of electric vehicle capabilities. By blending extreme performance with high-tech connectivity, they‘re reaching new demographics receptive to the instant torque and refinement EVs provide.
And with GM investing heavily to scale Hummer production, get ready to see a lot more of these beasts prowling roads soon!
VinFast VF7: Mainstreaming Affordable EVs
Shaking up automotive incumbents, Vietnamese upstart VinFast took CES by storm with the global debut of its inaugural EV SUV – the VF7. Initially launching in a pared down Eco trim with 201 horsepower and cloth seats, the VF7 aims to raise the bar for affordable electric mobility.
- VinFast sets an tantalizing $30,000 starting price point for early reservation holders
- The spunkier 349 hp Plus model substitutes vegan leather at roughly $45,000 before incentives
- Vinfast‘s warranty coverage leads the pack too – 10 years / 125,00 miles for added owner peace of mind!
“We are committed to changing perceptions of what an EV can offer across performance, technological and ownership experiences,” said VinFast US CEO Van Anh Nguyen.
VinFast VF7 Key Specs
| Spec | Eco Model | Plus Model |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | Undisclosed | Undisclosed |
| Range | Undisclosed | Undisclosed |
| 0-60 Time | Undisclosed | Undisclosed |
| Peak Power | 201HP | 349HP |
| Warranty | 10 yr / 125k mi | 10 yr / 125k mi |
Admittedly key details remain closely held, but Vinfast’s value positioning shakes up the playing field. Consider that Tesla’s Model Y SUV starts around $65,000 presently. If the VF7 can deliver range and quality matching gas-powered rivals under $40,000 out the door, they could prompt others to rethink EV pricing strategies.
This plucky maverick brand might seem out of place amid legacy giants and bleeding-edge startups. Yet don’t underestimate Vinfast’s potential following for value-focused adopters should their first products deliver!
Volvo EX90 – Sustainability Takes (Seven) Passengers
Volvo built its name on safety, and now seeks to pair that with sustainable luxury in the all-new EX90. As the brand‘s first EV targeting families, the three-row EX90 previews a 300+ mile range SUV loaded with sensors and cameras to prevent accidents.
Occupants enjoy interior “soundscapes” and an intuitive infotainment system linking drivers to vehicle functions and route planning. Standard all-wheel drive provides versatility for shuttling kids through inclement weather.
Volvo also uses sustainable and traceable battery supply chains to help offset carbon impacts from manufacturing. Combined with an over-the-air update ecosystem to continuously refine EX90’s capabilities, the EX90 feels future-proofed for eco-minded families.
Let’s compare some key EX90 specs against its internal combustion predecessor – the Volvo XC90:
Volvo EX90 vs XC90 Key Specs
| Spec | EX90 BEV | XC90 Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 111 kWh | 18.8 kWh |
| Range | 300+ miles | 30 mi EV |
| Accel (0-60) | 4.7 sec | 6.4 sec |
| Passenger Capacity | 7 Adults | 7 Adults |
Doubling down on sustainability without compromising practicality or performance, the EX90 makes Volvo’s eco-luxury vision accessible to family buyers. By revealing this production-intent SUV at CES before sales open in early 2024, Volvo signals they’re ready to reward sustainably minded buyers with long-range electric capabilities as governments position fossil fuel bans.
If Volvo delivers as promised, the EX90 could compel SUV shoppers to plan their switch to electric sooner than they imaged!
Peugeot Inception Concept: Designing the Emotional EV
French builder Peugeot closed CES 2023 by previewing its creative vision for immersive autonomous EVs – an otherworldy luxury shuttle dubbed the Inception. Chasing statement exterior lines, the Inception houses a 100 kWh battery enabling over 500 miles of simulated range. That bests any production EV today!
Ultra-fast charging and mixed-reality displays immerse passengers in this lounge-like capsule detached from driving dynamics. The unusual steering design directs by wire rather than wheel, hinting people may interface with vehicles very differently as automation advances.
By putting the Inception into production relatively unchanged, Peugeot could undoubtedly spark EV interest through delivering experiences impossible in conventional cars. Yet concept cars exist partly to experiment with designs and technologies impractical at scale in their current forms.
Peugeot can apply Inception’s most compelling user-facing innovations across its shift toward fully electric lineups by decade’s end. So while this specific concept likely won’t reach showrooms, it earns merit for previewing the sensory pastures automakers will explore to keep EV ownership captivating!
Lighting a Path to the Future
Judging by these boundary-pushing glimpses revealed at CES this year, investment and competition is clearly spurring automakers to realize aspirational visions of stress-free, sustainable electric mobility at increasing scale.
Legacy truck brands like Ram and GMC indicate even work-duty stalwarts see promise in electrifying their capabilities to suit emerging owner needs. VinFast is democratizing access through value positioning where scale advantages can secure profits. Volvo sustains its Scandinavian design ethos for seven passengers to resonate with eco-minded families. And Peugeot’s dreamlike concepts underscore coming opportunities to rethink how commuting captivates occupants.
While speculative features previewed at trade shows don’t always survive cost or engineering realities, one certainty emerged – EVs will continue getting smarter, faster and more alluring in short order. Sure signs point to coming models from across segments realizing 500 mile ranges and ultra-rapid charging once considered unattainable not long ago.
So which glimpses into the electric future resonated most with you? Feel free to share your thoughts! Personally, I’m eagerly anticipating the production Hummer and Ram pickups pushing fossil-fuel counterparts to catch up on all fronts. Yet concepts like VinFast’s VF7 and Volvo’s EX90 production SUV make me confident appealing EVs with realistic pricing are coming to appease the masses sooner than expected!
Buckling up for the ride ahead,
Steve
