The next Telsa: Which players are already lined up?
When we talk about electric vehicles the first thought that pops into mind is Tesla. The American company has ingrained itself so deeply in the minds of the masses that its name has become synonymous with an E.V. Tesla has had such an impact on the automotive world that big players like Porsche, Toyota, Hyundai, and Ford have had to awaken from their slumber and they are forced to revolutionize or fear going obsolete.
Tesla’s forward push has ushered in a new era in the automotive world. Many small new companies have sprouted up all around the world to take advantage of the situation because simply put, EVs are less complicated to build compared to conventional cars.
Let’s glance at some of the EV companies that show huge promise and the will to succeed in the EV sector, although this list surely is not comprehensive and they definitely are not comparable with regard to their target customers. (And yes, Chinese e-mobility start-ups will also play a major role, but we already looked at them in this former article: https://www.automotive-and-mobility.com/market/are-they-taking-over-what-about-chinese-e-mobility-start-ups-on-the-european-markets/)
Rivian
The one company that deserves to be mentioned in this list is Rivian. The American E.V brand was founded in 2009, and since then, it has taken the world by storm. Rivian made the front-page news when it received investment by Jeff Bezo’s Amazon Inc. However, that isn’t the company’s only meaningful achievement. They are introducing three electric vehicles in the market in the coming months. The first is the R1T pickup truck, then an Amazon van, and finally an SUV. The company has planned to extend its charging network and its production capacity in the coming years. So, things are looking positive for Rivian as they gear-up to compete with the likes of Tesla.
Lucid Motors
Lucid Motors is also an American e-mobility brand that is planning several car launches in the coming years. Lucid makes luxury vehicles, so you know there will be no compromise on quality or comfort in their cars. They have recently built a massive production facility in Arizona, which will undertake all their customer’s demands. The company will soon release the Lucid Air EV, and its success will determine the future of the company in the industry.
Fisker Inc.
The EV revolution has not only attracted traditional vehicle manufacturers and start-ups but has enticed tech companies to take part in the race. Fisker Inc. is one such example. The brand is planning to make an all-electric vehicle soon with the help of Foxconn. The two entities have teamed up to take the fight to the competition, and they are hopeful that with a continuous flow of investment the results will be no less than remarkable.
Sono Motors
Germany is arguably the heart of the automotive world, which is why it would be remiss if no brand from the country was mentioned in this list. Sono Motors is a German EV company that deserves to make the cut. The brand has introduced the Sion car, which uses battery technology in tandem with solar technology to power the automobile. In other words, the car charges itself while you are driving. You won’t need to find charging stations or worry about depleting your vehicle’s battery while on the go. The solar charging concept is not new, but Sono Motors has re-introduced it in the hopes of diversifying the market.
Piech
Piech is a brand that has a lot of far-fetched goals and aims. They hope to make deep inroads in the E.V sector, but the Swiss company is still in the development stage, and you won’t see their car on the roads anytime soon. Piech believes that EVs should have the feel of a real car instead of them being more like apps. It will take a lot of convincing to influence people’s minds, especially since many of them like Tesla’s bespoke nature.
The Piech GT2 is their first car, which takes design hints from Aston Martin. How quick will it be? How long will its batteries last? Will the brand be successful? You will have to wait and see once the GT2 makes its formal appearance in 2022. However, Piech has poached a formidable team which includes the likes of former Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller. Other team members have previously worked at VW, Porsche, BMW, and Tesla. The future does look promising, but the company needs to step-up in terms of development.
Final Thoughts
Setting up a new car maker isn’t easy and hasn’t been successful in most cases (and that hasn’t changed with e-mobility). Some interesting players have started – motivated by Tesla’s success and the traditional players struggling for some years to move towards the future. But yet, they are not ready and meanwhile all existing Automotive players have understood that they need to move and have taken the right steps. As such, it’s most likely that many upcoming bands will fail, falling prey to the competition. Most new entrants will start production in 2021 and 2022. That’s the point when plans will meet reality and the customers have to choose.
