Top 10 Electric Vehicle Companies in USA | With the rising demands of sustainable transportation, the global production of electric vehicles (EV) is going through a monumental shift with several companies investing in building electric vehicles for the future. This can be seen in several parts of the world however us has become the hub for EV innovations and investment.
The share of electric cars in the overall car market has rising from 4% to 14% between 2020 to 2022, which is expected to rise even further to 18% by the end of 2023.
Building an electric vehicle has its dependency on high quality batteries, charging points and overall performance and convenience. In this article we have listed Top 10 Electric Vehicle Companies in USA and their top models with their starting price, starting with Tesla.
Top 10 Electric Vehicle Companies in USA
Tesla:
Year of foundation: 2003
Founder: Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning
Current CEO: Elon Musk (also product architect)
Top Model of EVs: Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y
Top Model starting price: $88,490
Share of Tesla in EV sector in US Market: 63.5% (leading player)
Tesla is the leading American electric vehicle (EV) and clean energy company, led by Elon Musk. The EV company operates six Gigafactories around the world to manufacture vehicle components.
Counting on the most popular model, Tesla Model S is a luxurious sedan with high-performance variants. However, Tesla has a more affordable option, Model 3 as well. Moreover, Tesla is also known for its Supercharger stations that enable fast charging. Additionally, the Li-ion batteries weighing 900 pounds play a crucial role in Tesla’s battery life.
Advanced features such as driver-assistance systems, also known as Autopilot, make Tesla’s EVs one of the most popular around the world. In addition, Full Self-Driving (FSD) is another optional capability that promises independent driving in the future, once regulations allow.
Apart from the electric vehicles (EVs), Tesla also makes solar panels, solar roof tiles, Powerwall, and Powerpack in order to promote sustainable energy usage.
General Motors (GM)
CEO: Mary Barra
Share of General Motors in EV sector in US: 8%
Investment plan: GM will invest $35 billion in EV and AV
Top model price: Chevy Bolt EV (starting from $27,495)
General Motors is one of the oldest automakers in the US that was started back in 1908 by William Durant. However, their first EV model was produced between 1996 to 1999. The company manufactures their EV range in Michigan.
The most popular model by General Motors is the Chevy Bolt, a mini car. The EV has been the second best-selling EV in the US, right behind Tesla with a base price of $27,495. Chevy Bolt offers 3 levels of charging time.
Level 1 has a 120-Volt portable charger cord that delivers a slow charging time and has a range of 48 miles. Level 2 has 240-Volt charging units. Lastly, Level 3 stations provide up to 100 miles of range in only 30 minutes of charge.
Currently, General Motors has 4 EV models that include GMC Hummer EV, Cadillac LYRIQ, Chevy Bolt EV, and Chevy Bolt EUV. The company is likely to invest $35 Billion in EV and AV models.
- General Motors EV1 first EV produced in 1996 to 1999
- Ultium Batteries: the company’s (General Motors) joint venture with LG Energy Solutions
Other EV models:
- GMC Hummer EV
- Cadillac LYRIQ
- Chevy Bolt EUV
Ford:
Current CEO: Jim Farley
Top EV model price: 2023n Ford Mustang Mach E ($42,995)
Ford EV market share in US: 7.4%
Ford is another, one of the oldest and popular automaker companies in the US. The company was founded in 1903 in Michigan by Henry Ford. However, Ford started to prepare the debut of its first electric vehicle in 2009. Currently, the company manufactures its EVs in West Tennessee, commonly known as Blue Oval City.
Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, an all-electric SUV, is the best-selling electric vehicle by the company. Furthermore, Ford’s high-tech EVs and their potential can be seen in electric pickup trucks, including the highly anticipated all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning.
Considering the battery type, all the Ford’s EVs have nickel cobalt manganese chemistry. However, Mustang Mach-E was the first model with lithium iron phosphate chemistry as a less-expensive substitute.
Ford holds 7.4% of the market share in the electric vehicle sector in the US. In addition to that, Ford has over 84,000 charger around North America, being the largest public charging network.
Rivian:
Year of foundation: 2009
Founder: RJ Scaringe
Current CEO: RJ Scaringe
Top Model of EVs: 2023 Rivian R1T
Top Model Starting Price: $94,000
Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer and automotive technology company, was founded in 2009 by RJ Scaringe. The Rivian manufacturing plant is based in Normal, Illinois.
The Rivian R1T is the best-selling electric vehicle model by Rivian. It’s a luxury pickup truck with an EPA range of 314 miles. Additionally, the top speed is 110 mph. Moreover, the pickup truck has additional backup batteries that can be charged by another R1T, if no charging infrastructure is available.
Apart from that, Rivian uses Li-ion cells manufactured by Samsung and then assembles them to create the Large battery pack.
The Rivian R1T is equipped with 11 cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 5 radar sensors, which are used in Rivian’s features set of advanced driver assistance systems. Currently, Rivian holds 2.8% of the market share in EV sector in the US.
Lucid Motors:
Year of foundation: 2007
Current CEO: Peter Rawlinson
Top Model: 2023 Lucid Air
Top model starting price: $89,050
Lucid Motors started off as Atieva back in 2007, when it started building electric vehicle batteries and powertrains. However the company decided to make its own vehicles and rebrand itself as Lucid Motors, later in 2016. The EVs are manufactured in Arizona, where the EV manufacturing plants are.
Lucid Air, a state-of-the-art sedan with a California-inspired design, is the best-selling electric vehicle by Lucid Motors. It has a 516 miles of range with the base price of $139,650. Moreover, Lucid Air uses lithium-ion batteries to supply the EVs premium powertrain.
The Standard security features that make Lucid Air special include, ABS brakes, traction and stability control, eight airbags, laminated glass for the glass roof, and a reverse camera.
NIO:
Year of foundation: 2014
CEO: William Li
Top Model: ES6
Starting price of ES6: $52,100
While NIO is a Chinese electric vehicle company, it has made significant inroads in the US market. Known for its cutting-edge technology and innovative battery swapping system, NIO offers electric SUVs like the ES8 and ES6, targeting the luxury EV market.
NIO is a Chinese electric vehicle company that was founded back in 2014 by William Li. However, it has made its place in the US as well. Currently, NIO has two manufacturing plants in Hefei.
The NIO ES6, an electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV, is the top-selling electric vehicle by the Chinese company. It was announced in late 2018, but later put into production in 2019. The SUV has a range of 577 miles. Talking about the pricing, the price tag stops at $52,000.
Polestar:
Year of foundation: 1996
CEO: Thomas Ingenlath
Top model: Polestar 2 ($51,300)
Polestar is a Swedish automotive brand that was founded in 1996 as Flash Engineering. However, it was later acquired by Volvo Cars in 2015 and rebranded as Polestar Racing. The electric vehicle brand is focused on improving society by shifting to sustainable mobility with EVs.
Polestar 2, launched in 2019, has been the best-selling EV by the company. The electric car is designed for a luxurious in-car experience featuring a range of infotainment systems. In addition, the car includes maintenance-free and rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries. The electric car has a long range of 280 to 565 km.
Lordstown Motors:
Year of Foundation: 2018
CEO: Edward Hightower
Top model: Endurance pickup ($65,060)
Lordstown Motors, an all-electric automotive company, was founded in 2018 by Stephen Burns. The company has its manufacturing units in Ohio.
The Endurance, an electric pickup truck, is the major EV by Lordstown Motors. It has an improved vehicle control with a unique design, and requires very less maintenance. In addition, the range is at 174 miles.
Byton:
Year of Foundation: 2017
Founder: Carsten Breitfeld
Byton, an all-electric vehicle automotive brand, is well known for its forward-thinking approach to in-car technology. The company was founded in 2017 by Carsten Breitfeld. Incorporated in Hong Kong, Byton released its first Concept car in January 2018.
The Byton M-Byte, an all-electric SUV, was anticipated to be released in the US. The electric car had exceptional features including infotainment screen, airbags, as well as gesture control technology. However, the company went bankrupt when it came to mass production.
Fisker Inc:
Founded: By Henrik Fisker in 2016
Top Model: Fisker Ocean 2023 (all-SUV)
Starting Price: $37,499
Other Model:
- 2023 Fisker Ocean Sport (Starting at $37,499)
- 2023 Fisker Ocean Ultra (Starting at $49,999)
- 2023 Fisker Ocean Extreme (Starting at $68,999)
- Fisker Ocean One (Starting at $68,999)
Fisker was founded by Henrik Fisker and his wife, Geeta Gupta Fisker back in 2016 in California, LA. The company is known for designing luxurious, premium EV cars.
The top model by Fisker Inc. is the Ocean series that includes the Sport, Ultra, Extreme, and One models. The ocean series offers highly innovative features like a central touchscreen that rotates from portrait to landscape orientation and solar roof.
However, the solar roof does not produce enough energy to make the EV compatible for regular use but Fisker says that it can prevent up to 1,500 miles of emissions per year. In addition, standard safety aids include automatic emergency braking that can detect cars, pedestrians, and cyclists; blind-spot monitoring; and lane-keeping assist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an electric vehicle or an EV?
An electric vehicle, or an EV, is fueled by one or more electric motors that draw energy from rechargeable batteries. EVs don’t produce any tailpipe emissions and thus, a more sustainable mode of transportation as compared to other gasoline-powered vehicles.
How much distance can EVs travel with one charge?
Modern EVs usually have a range of 100 to 400 miles on one charge. However, the range of an electric vehicle can vary depending on the model. Since the battery technology is getting advanced, EVs are becoming more practical for longer trips.
How long does an electric vehicle take to be fully charged?
The charging time of an EV depends on the charging method and the battery capacity. For instance, charging at home with a standard 120-volt outlet (Level-1 charging) may take several hours or overnight. Meanwhile, a 240-volt home charger (Level-2 charging) reduces the time taken by a few hours.
DC fast charging stations (Level-3 charging) can charge-up an electric vehicle to 80% within 30 minutes. However, these stations are less common to find.
Are there enough charging stations for EVs in the USA?
The charging infrastructure for EVs is rapidly covering more of the USA. Thousands of public charging stations, including fast-charging stations along major highways, at shopping centers, and in parking lots, are available.
In addition, most of the EV owners charge their vehicles at home as a convenient and cost-effective option.
Is installing a charging station for an electric vehicle possible?
Yes, it is possible to install an EV charging station at your home, commonly known as an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). But the best is to consult with a certified electrician to assess your home’s electrical capacity and determine the best charging solution.
Are EVs more expensive than traditional gasoline-powered cars?
EVs are generally more expensive as compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. However, when you consider the total cost of ownership, fuel and maintenance, EVs are more cost-effective. In addition to that, federal and state incentives, such as tax credits and rebates, can help balance the initial purchase price.
How reliable are electric vehicles?
EVs have fewer moving parts when compared to traditional vehicles, and thus, it can result in low maintenance costs and fewer repairs. In addition, EVs also have longer lifespans for their electric motor and battery. But, it is important to follow the recommended maintenance schedule to ensure best performance and longevity.
Can electric vehicles be charged with renewable energy resources?
Yes, electric vehicles are chargeable by renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. Even, charging with renewable energy makes EVs a greener transportation option due to reduced carbon emissions.
How much is the driving range impact in extreme weather conditions?
Extreme hot or cold weather conditions can affect an electric vehicle’s driving range. For instance, cold weather can slightly reduce the range due to increased energy consumption for cabin heating. On the other hand, extreme heat can affect battery performance.
However, modern EVs often have features to reduce this impact, such as preheating the cabin or thermal management systems to maintain ideal temperatures for operations.
Are there electric vehicle options for different vehicle types, like SUVs?
Yes, the electric vehicle market has a wide range of options across different vehicle types. For example, many automakers are developing electric SUVs and pickup trucks to meet customer demand for various EVs. Similarly, companies like Tesla, Rivian, Ford, and Chevrolet have introduced electric SUVs and trucks to present a wider range of options.
Note: [Top 10 Electric Vehicle Companies in USA] This information has been researched by our team using available resources on the internet.
