While it may have been a fever dream just a few years ago, thankfully there’s no longer a shortage of electric vehicles that have been designed to be electric from the word go. Long gone are the days of modifying Lotus Elise chassis to fit a tiny electric motor, but there are still some cars that resist. Whether it’s a way for manufacturers to bridge the gap to full electrification in consumers’ minds, or an easier way to bring an EV to market while a new platform is still in development, they’re actually becoming rarer than I expected, with only a handful still pooting around, and even fewer on the release calendar.
Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona is the very car that inspired this list. The little crossover can be had with with a choice of petrol, hybrid, or all-electric powertrains, with further options in each of those categories. It must’ve taken a hell of a lot of work to adapt a single platform for so many options, and though it’s sometimes obvious that it’s not quite optimised for any of them, it hasn’t stopped the Kona from winning awards, regardless of the type of powertrain it offers.
Kia Niro
With only a plug-in hybrid and full-electric model available, the Kia Niro isn’t quite as generous with its powertrain offerings as the Kona, though it very much occupies the same segment. It’s also the last remaining Kia not part of the EV *add number here* line-up of electric cars, so I have no doubt it’ll be the first to get axed in favour of a replacement that was built to be electric from the ground-up.
Dodge Charger
As controversial as it may be, the new Dodge Charger is making some bold claims when it comes to its electrified performance. But ya just can’t change some people, and it seems like the fervour-generating artificial exhaust noise is making Stellantis bring a petrol-powered variant to market. The Sixpack is coming in 2025, though it might not please the naysayers, seeing as it’s going to be powered by the twin-turbo, straight six Hurricane motor. That said, 2025 is also set to bring the SRT Banshee, the range-topping model with 1,320 horsepower.
Loads of BMWs
When researching this list, it was more about figuring out how many BMWs would go on it, rather than whether one would make it at all. Electric, plug-in hybrid, and petrol powertrains can be found in the same model across BMW’s offering, usually denoted by an “i” in front of the model’s usual name. So, you’ve got the X2 and iX2 or 7 series and i7, and the same going for the X3, 5 series, and 4 series.
Peugeot vans
Last, but certainly not least if you’re a van enthusiast, we have Peugeot. You can choose between the mid-sized Expert or the small Partner, though my pick would have to go to the former, simply because of its name. The “regular” expert is powered by a 147hp, two-litre turbo diesel – standard giving the application. An electrical upgrade grants you a power reduction of 12 horses, funnily enough, but nets you the E-Expert name.
