There are now five automakers known to have said they will have an affordable (i.e., probably under $40,000 to start) BEV.

You know about the Bolt, Model 3, Leaf, and add top this Hyundai and potentially Ford. Ford only hinted with no details, but here are the basics.

Both stories by Jon LeSage


Hyundai Expected to Launch 200-Mile Range Electric SUV in 2018




As part of its challenge of becoming No. 2 in green car sales by 2020, Hyundai will be rolling out an all-electric SUV by 2018.

According to Korean news coverage, the electric SUV will have a range of 200 miles per charge. It will be competing directly with the Chevrolet Bolt, Tesla Model 3, and the second-generation Nissan Leaf.

The platform for the new SUV is expected to be separate from that used in the Ioniq, a sedan that will go on sale in the U.S. later this year. The Ioniq – its name being a merger of ion and unique – will be the auto industry’s first-ever model available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric iterations.


SEE ALSO: Who Else Besides Toyota Will The Hyundai Ioniq Threaten?

It’s likely that Hyundai will later offer the electric SUV with a larger battery pack and longer range – up to 300 miles. For now, competing in the 200 mile range will be enough.

The electric SUV is expected to have something in common with the Ioniq. The Ioniq platform is shared by Hyundai's sister brand Kia in the Niro utility vehicle. The upcoming all-electric SUV architecture will likely be the platform for an upcoming Kia electric SUV.

Hyundai Blog


Ford Aiming to Lead 200-Mile Range Electric Vehicle Segment




CEO Mark Fields says Ford Motor Co. is aiming to build the best-in-class 200-mile range electric vehicle.

Fields was asked during a conference call yesterday about the company's plans to compete with Tesla and General Motors by rolling out a 200-mile range EV. To this, Fields responded Ford is aiming to be at the top of the segments in which it competes regarding cost, quality and range.

“Our EVs come down to making sure we’re the best or among the leaders in those areas,” Fields said. “When you look at some of the competition, clearly that’s something we’re developing for.”

The disclosure adds to Hyundai's news this week it is building a 200-mile EV by 2018, and joins also the 2017 Chevy Bolt, 2018 Tesla Model 3, and next-generation Nissan Leaf – in theory making Ford the fifth automaker with a mainstream-priced 200-mile EV in the works.

Fields' statement further counters Ford's apparently having written itself off the 200-mile range EV segment this month when its head of EVs said the company was focusing only on its 100-mile-range upcoming 2017 Focus Electric.


SEE ALSO: Ford May Have Had Good Reason Not To Have Let Tesla Use the ‘Model E’ Name

Fields didn’t offer any details on when a 200-mile range EV will be launched however, or if it will be built on its own platform.

In December, the company announced that it will invest $4.5 billion in EV research and add 13 new EVs by 2020.

It could be badged as the Ford Model E. Ford took the trademark rights on that name years ago. That blocked Tesla CEO Elon Musk from naming its recently launched 200-mile electric car the Model E. Musk was unable to secure the name rights from Ford, and opted for the Tesla Model 3.

The Detroit News

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First in line, and for all intents and purposes, the only confirmed 200-plus mile BEV.