[codeulike]

After seeing the recent Audi and Mercedes efforts, consensus seems to be that making EVs is not as easy as everyone thought and the big car companies still have a long way to go before they catch up

"UBS says Audi's new electric car shows industry has a long way to go to catch Tesla"

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/18/ubs-says-audis-disappointing...

[derekp7]

I'm very interested to see what Ford is coming out with in the 2020 time frame, with their fleet of "electrified" vehicles. I have a strong feeling that gas/electric hybrids which get decent electric-only range will be where the market is at (however they need to be targeting more than the 20-mile electric range they currently have). And I also like what I've read in some Ford interviews, where they aren't pushing electrification as an eco move, instead they plan on promoting it as a performance boost (i.e., the hybrid 2020 Mustang).

[greglindahl]

Plug-in hybrids appear to be pretty much a failure in the marketplace[1], I don't think that releasing more models is going to help. BTW boosting performance with a hybrid has been done for a long time now.

1: https://insideevs.com/monthly-plug-in-sales-scorecard/

[semi-extrinsic]

I also expect hybrids to be where it'll be at. The new Kia Optima wagon claims 40 miles pure electric range. Electric cars seem still to be (artificially?) limited, e.g. no station wagons, mostly no roof racks (except Model S), no tow bar (except Model X). All of which means most people 'round here can't have just an EV, it's only useful as a second car.

[mtgx]

They won't be. Transitional tech always fails because when people want to switch to a new paradigm product they wanted to to enjoy ALL all its benefits. That's why the "touch optimized" (read: not touch born) Symbian, BB OS and Windows have all failed, too.

[Shivetya]

I would be more interested in the Kona and Niro which should have US pricing more in line with typical car buyers pricing ranges.

I have a 3, it is a great car, but it is also proof of how far EVs have to go before they can be the only car for many families. I think an EV is a great second car for all families. If you don't make any long trips then an EV might suffice. I did a long trip recently but I had the luxury to stop for the thirty-fifty minutes needed to get sufficient charge for my next stop or destination travel.

[sbradford26]

Audi was hyping up their E Tron SUV and then they released it and it wasn't all that impressive. It gets 248 miles of range on the WLTP with a 95 kWh battery which is average.