After years of steady progress, 2025 marked a major jump in speed for electric vehicles. The Trump administration’s decisions to eliminate the federal electric vehicle tax credit and slash emissions standards while putting additional pressure on automakers with tariffs ended the era of unbridled optimism in electric vehicles. Automakers stopped talking about electrifying their U.S. lineups, delaying some new electric vehicles and canceling others, like the Ram 1500 REV. But the automotive industry is slowing down and not turning back. A few more major electric vehicle launches are planned for the new year. These were the ones that are still most likely to occur and are likely to have a big impact.
BMW iX3
The iX3 SUV is the first next-generation electric vehicle from BMW and is called “Neue Klasse,” which appropriately means “new class” in German. The underlying platform and powertrain feature efficiency improvements that, when combined with BMW’s new cylindrical battery cells, are said to enable a range of up to 400 miles. And because the iX3 can fast charge with up to 400 kilowatts of direct current, BMW says it can also regain up to 230 miles of range in 10 minutes of charging time. An optimized electrical architecture reduces weight while ensuring better integration of chassis control systems and driver assistance systems. Inside, a dashboard-wide panoramic display and a new head-up display take the infotainment system to the next level.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
Introduced as a 2017 model, the Bolt EV was a game-changer, combining significant range with an affordable price. This combination proved so popular that General Motors had to revive this little hatchback. The Bolt is back as a 2027 model with new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry to keep costs down, allowing for a price of $29,990 for the Bolt LT trim level, which will be available at launch. A $28,995 version will be available later in the model year. Chevy expects a range of 255 miles and much faster charging speeds with a new North American Charging Standard (NACS) port that provides access to Tesla Supercharger stations.
Honda 0 Series SUV
After borrowing hardware from General Motors, Honda is launching its own dedicated EV platform with three models across multiple brands. The Acura RSX replaces the short-lived ZDX at Honda’s luxury brand, and the Afeela 1 finally gets Sony Honda’s mobility joint venture off the ground, but the SUV based on the prototype Honda showed at CES 2025 will be the most significant. Due to its Honda price point and the boxy body shape, which will be released later in the year, it should be available to the widest possible target group. Honda hasn’t revealed many technical details, but the platform is expected to offer better packaging than other EV architectures and a thinner battery. The SUV will be the first in a series of Honda-badged electric vehicles, dubbed the 0 Series. However, Honda could reduce the number of units for the USA in response to the current political situation.
Mercedes-Benz GLC with EQ technology
Unlike its competitor BMW, Mercedes plans to continue offering gasoline and electric drives in the same models. This approach worked well on the electric versions of the G-Class and CLA-Class, and now Mercedes is applying it to its best-selling model, the GLC-Class SUV. Even though it’s not a pure design like the BMW iX3, the GLC with EQ technology is still expected to offer a range of more than 400 miles and a fast charging function that can restore a range of 188 miles in 10 minutes. It also features air suspension and rear-axle steering previously reserved for more expensive models, a huge 39.1-inch dashboard display and a grille that doubles as a disco ball.
Porsche Cayenne Electric
After gaining a foothold with the Taycan and Macan Electric, Porsche is going all out with an electric version of its first SUV. From the power supply to the charging technology to the screens, the Cayenne Electric offers the best of everything. It comes on the market in Cayenne Electric and Cayenne Turbo Electric versions, the latter of which has 1,139 horsepower and can sprint from zero to 60 miles per hour in an estimated 2.4 seconds. The Cayenne Electric can also be fast-charged using DC power of up to 400kW, achieving a 10-80% charge in an estimated 16 minutes. It will also be the first mass-produced electric vehicle with factory-fitted wireless charging and introduces a sophisticated new three-screen infotainment system, offering the largest screen area of any Porsche to date.
Rivian R2
It’s been almost two years since the Rivian R2 was first shown, but the wait should be worth it. With a base price of $45,000, this electric SUV will be the first truly mainstream vehicle from the brand that brought you the R1S SUV and R1T pickup. They impressed journalists and customers alike with their off-road capability and software know-how, but they aren’t exactly affordable. The R2 addresses this problem in a very functional package, with an estimated range of about 300 miles, zero to 60 mph in under 3.0 seconds, and a footprint similar to a Tesla Model Y.
slate
Considering that Slate is a newcomer and won’t start production at its new factory (a former printing plant in Indiana) until later in the year, it’s possible that the startup’s electric pickup truck won’t reach customers until 2026. However, if it does, the slate truck will be one of the biggest electric launches of the year. To achieve a base price of around $25,000, it was designed to be as simple as possible. Your phone is the infotainment system, and even power windows are reserved for a long options list that also includes a kit to convert the two-door pickup into an SUV and vinyl wraps to dress up the unpainted composite body panels. A single motor sends 201 horsepower to the rear wheels and range is estimated at 150 miles or 240 miles, depending on which battery size you choose.
Subaru Trailseeker
The Trailseeker won’t be Subaru’s first electric vehicle, but it will be the first one worth looking into. While the Solterra gave Subaru entry into the heart of the EV market, the Trailseeker lives up to its name with a wagon-like shape reminiscent of Subaru’s trademark Outback, helping the Trailseeker stand out from the crossover crowd. The 375-horsepower Trailseeker also goes from zero to 60 mph in a claimed 4.4 seconds, making it quicker than your steam-loving cousin’s WRX. It also offers a range of up to 280 miles and starts at around $40,000.
Subaru is also introducing the smaller Uncharted EV with a lower base price, but that means forgoing the automaker’s signature all-wheel drive system. Both the Trailseeker and Uncharted will also have Toyota twins – the bZ Woodland and the C-HR, respectively – but the larger automaker has been less strict about launch timing.
