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The Most Futuristic Electric Cars You Won’t Believe Actually Exist

Cameron Eittreim January 5, 2023

The auto industry is constantly changing and moving toward the future. The cars you see today will be completely different tomorrow. A big reason for that is that electric cars have been making inroads into the auto industry since the 1990s when battery technology matured. But it’s only been in the last 10 years that electric cars have become a staple of everyday driving. The electric cars that we often see as concept vehicles are unbelievably futuristic.

But all these cars actually exist, albeit in concept and production forms. Consumers are more welcoming toward electric cars now than ever before. From the Cybertruck to the Rivian R1, there are more reasons than ever to embrace an electric car. So we looked at the most futuristic electric cars that you won’t believe actually exist. These were and are cars that set the standard for what the future of electric vehicles would be.

Photo Credit: Driving Electric

Lucid Air

A car company developed the Lucid Air with no previous products and no prior experience in the car industry. But thanks to a comprehensive design process and warranty plan, the Lucid Air is one of the most compelling electric cars on the road. This car offers pure luxury in every sense of the word (via Car & Driver).

Photo Credit: Driving Electric

The Lucid Air is what the future of luxury cars looks like and it’s quite impressive. The interior of the Lucid Air has some of the most expensive materials ever used in a luxury sedan. With a comprehensive warranty and technology, the Lucid Air could compete with some of the finest luxury cars in the world.

Photo Credit: Tesla

Tesla Cybertruck

Elon Musk changed the face of the automotive industry with Tesla. The original Tesla Roadster was a groundbreaking car, but it was the Cybertruck unveiled in 2019 that turned the automotive world upside down. The truck looked like nothing else on the market at the time (via Tesla).

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There were many references to the Mad Maxx films because of the way the truck looked. The Cybertruck was unlike any other pickup truck in history as it was a fully electric vehicle. The future of the pickup truck market is bright, as more automakers shift to all-electric vehicle lineups.

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GMC Hummer EV

When it was announced the Hummer brand was being revived, there was tremendous excitement. But the real shock came when it was revealed the new Hummer was an EV. This was because the previous Hummer vehicles were notoriously bad for the environment and garnered an awful reputation (via Car & Driver).

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The Hummer EV is all-new from the ground up, and when you look at it, you feel like you’re in the future. If there were ever any doubts about driving off-road in an EV, the Hummer EV has put those doubts to rest.

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Lotus Evija

One of the great things about electric cars is how much performance drivers can get out of one. There was a limited edition sports car produced by Lotus that took things to the next level. The Evija was a futuristic limited production electric sports car that put a combined 2000 horsepower to the wheels (via Car & Driver).

Photo Credit: Lotus

The awe-inspiring horsepower was the first thing drivers noticed about the Evija. The beautiful styling of the body was unlike anything else on the market. Even the best that Ferrari and Lamborghini had to offer didn’t compete with the Evija.

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Jeep Recon

The Jeep brand has evolved tremendously over the last two decades and is now more popular than ever. But gas-guzzling SUVs aren’t the future and the folks at Chrysler know that. Therefore, the brand has been moving toward an EV future and the first vehicle of that future is the Recon. The Recon will be a fully electric SUV model (via Car & Driver).

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But don’t think the electricity will stifle the off-road capability, because this Recon is also capable of going off-road. The Recon still offers the same traditional styling that the Jeep lineup was known for since the earliest inception of the brand. The new Recon will be one of the most recognized EVs on the market.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Jeep Wagoneer S

The revival of the Wagoneer brand was big news in the Jeep world, but that wasn’t the last of it. There will be an electric vehicle launching that has the Wagoneer name again, but this will be the Wagoneer S. It was announced the vehicle will launch as a 2024 model and go into production at the end of 2023 (via Motor Trend).

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The Wagoneer S will be positioned in a different slot, not the gas-powered model. The full-sized Wagoneer will still serve a purpose, but the company is moving away from gas-powered vehicles. It will be interesting to see how the Wagoneer S builds on the storied Jeep history dating back decades.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Volkswagen ID.Buzz

For decades, fans have been raving about a new VW Bus coming back into production. Unfortunately, VW remained mum on the subject until March 2022, when the company revealed the ID.Buzz. Everything about the trendy new van harks back to the past of VW, with the only difference being the electric drivetrain (via MSN).

Photo Credit: Edmunds

The design of the VW Bus was iconic, which is one of the reasons the company revived the nameplate. The ID.Buzz will utilize a completely new EV setup that Volkswagen has been developing tirelessly. The ID. Buzz is by far one of the most promising EVs on the horizon.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Dodge Charger Electric

Much to the dismay of hardcore muscle car enthusiasts, the Dodge Charger will go electric. In fact, 2024 will be the last year that the fire-breathing muscle car offered a gasoline engine. But all hope might not be lost, as Dodge recently unveiled the Charger Electric and it wasn’t that bad (via Dodge Car USA).

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There will be options to add an exhaust note to the car through a sound system developed by Magna Flow. The performance of the Charger Electric will be jaw-dropping, even compared to the top-of-the-line gas-powered models now. Soon, electric muscle cars will be all the rage once consumers get used to them.

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Nissan Leaf

The Leaf was the first mass-produced electric car on the road. There was a lot to love about the original car, the fact that it was affordable for an EV was the main selling point. The modern Leaf has evolved a lot, and it still offers one of the best bargains on the EV market right now (via Car & Driver).

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The estimated range of 226 miles on a single charge is great for handling business in town or going for a short trip. The hatchback design means there’s plenty of cargo room in the back, and the four-door design makes taking passengers a breeze. The Leaf will continue to break the mold of what an affordable EV should be.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Chevrolet Bolt EV

Remember back in the day when the Geo Metro was the most fuel-efficient hatchback on the market? Well, GM has come a long way since then, and now the Bolt EV is the modern equivalent of the Metro. The main difference is that it is a full EV and at a fraction of the price of other EVs (via Hot Cars).

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The Bolt is sleek with a beautiful and futuristic dashboard that makes consumers feel like they are driving in the future. The drivetrain is almost silent, which is one of the main selling features of the car. The future of electric cars evolves every year, and the Bolt EV is at the forefront. GM hasn’t had much luck with electric cars prior but times are changing.

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Chevrolet Bolt EUV

There’s no denying that the main drawback with the Bolt EV was the limited size, but GM has come up with a solution for that problem. The Bolt EUV uses a compact SUV-style body instead, which makes it one of the most versatile EVs on the road. The Bolt EUV has shown us what the future of transportation looks like (via Edmunds).

Photo Credit: Edmunds

The EUV is a family-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on quality. You still get the peace of mind that comes with driving an EV, but you get more bang for your buck. GM has definitely been improving its EV lineup over the past year. The Bolt EUV might be the best deal of the year.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Mazda MX-30

Although most enthusiasts hope for a new RX-7 model in the future, it doesn’t look like that’s the direction that Mazda is going. The MX-30 will be the first all-electric crossover to hit the market from the automaker. The MX-30 jumps on the same bandwagon as other automakers with crossovers (via Edmunds).

Photo Credit: Edmunds

But that doesn’t mean the MX-30 is a slouch on the track, as the styling and performance of the car are groundbreaking. The versatility that the MX-30 offers give consumers who want an electric car an option they haven’t had previously.

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Ford F-150 Lightning

Ford broke all kinds of rules when they introduced an all-aluminum F-150 and the company is now breaking ground again. This time the automaker beat Tesla and their Cybertruck to the market with the F-150 Lightning. If the nameplate looks familiar it’s because it’s shared with what used to be the performance-oriented sports truck from the 1990s (via Edmunds).

Photo Credit: Ford

The modern F-150 Lightning is no longer a muscle car but it’s still fast. The electric Lightning pickup truck is faster on the quarter mile than the supercharged truck ever was. Not to mention the fact that electric trucks offer a “Frunk” in the front of the vehicle.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Hyundai wasn’t the first automaker to come to the table with an EV car, but they’ve certainly gotten on the right track. The Ioniq 5 was released to appeal to family car shoppers who want an EV crossover. The style of the Ioniq 5 is futuristic but still welcoming enough that most consumers who need family transportation will accept it (via Forbes).

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The Ioniq 5 is the future of reliable family transportation. The right styling and affordability will make electric cars universally acceptable. Hyundai is on the right track with the Ioniq 5.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Tesla Model Y

The Model Y was the first crossover vehicle that Tesla offered to the public. While the initial design was ahead of the time, the Model Y has become dated. The gullwing doors are a nice touch but the interior technology lags behind its rivals. The price tag of the Model Y is also one of the most expensive in the electric car segment (via Car & Driver).

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Although the Model Y lags behind the competition, it’s still one of the most futuristic electric cars on the market. Then again, everything Tesla brings to the market seems to push the boundaries of design and technology.

Photo Credit: Hyundai

Hyundai Genesis GV60

The Genesis line started as a performance car line under the Hyundai umbrella. The original Genesis coupe replaced the Tiburon sports car. But the years have gone on and now the Genesis line is going all-electric. The GV60 is one of the first offerings and the crossover has some of the most compelling new technology to offer (via Genesis).

Photo Credit: Hyundai

The GV60 has a range of 245 Miles, which isn’t as impressive as some of the crossovers in the class. But the futuristic design and the advanced technology more than make up for the lack of mileage. The GV60 is the future of EVs for the Hyundai brand and time will tell what happens to the rest of the Genesis line.

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Volkswagen ID.4

Volkswagen has been positioned as a green-friendly company, but the previous focus was on diesel power. The ID.4 replaces the existing gasoline-powered crossovers in the lineup. The design of the car is very reminiscent of the Porsche family lineage. The clean lines make up the exterior with touches of the futuristic design (via Edmunds).

Photo Credit: Edmunds

The starting MSRP of $38,000 makes the ID.4 a very affordable entry point. The idea behind the car was to introduce more people to the Volkswagen line. As states like California move toward an electric future, the ID.4 offers a great design.

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Volvo C40 Recharge

Volvo is another car company that’s had to evolve. The gasoline models have become stale and the future of the auto industry is electric. The C40 Recharge is another crossover that replaces the dated sedans in the lineup. The C40 has a beautiful exterior design that isn’t just about looking great, it’s also functional (via Car & Driver).

Photo Credit: Volvo

As with most Volvo models, the C40 has a steel roll cage design, which helps improve safety ratings. But in addition to the excellent safety design, there are also a plethora of luxury features offered. With a reasonable driving range and a fairly seamless ownership process, the C40 Recharge is the future of electric cars.

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Audi E-Tron S

Audi like Volvo is a company that’s had to adapt to an electric future. The gasoline-powered Quattro cars of the past aren’t going to cut the mustard anymore. The E-Tron S only has about 217 miles of range, but that’s more than enough for most casual drivers. The E-Tron also has many advanced safety features (via Edmunds).

Photo Credit: Audi

The E-Tron S is also one of the fastest-charging electric cars on the market. There are only two trim packages to choose from, and most consumers will probably go for the prestige Sportback. The Audi lineup is one of the most highly desired in the automotive industry, and now the E-Tron S will attract even more shoppers.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Polestar 2

Polestar is not as common a brand in terms of electric cars as Tesla, but the brand has been making it on the roads. The Polestar 2 has a 275-mile range with fast charging, which is the norm on most new electric cars now. The five-seat interior is much larger than many other electric crossovers hitting the market. There is only a single trim level to choose on the Polestar 2 (via CNET).

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The interesting thing about the Polestar 2 is that it perfected the things that the early Tesla models did wrong. The Polestar 2 does a great job of building on what has made the brand great. The market for electric cars will only continue to grow in the future.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Toyota bZ4X

The interesting thing about this electric car was that Toyota was one of the first automakers to offer an electric vehicle in the form of the RAV4 EV. The bZ4X is a car that offers a sportier design than the traditional sedan or crossover. The all-wheel-drive design and its 255-mile range make the bZ4X a less impressive offering than many other cars on this list (via Top Speed).

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But the fact that it’s a Toyota and offers a sportier design that appeals to a certain segment of drivers. The key to the success of electric cars in the future is just how fun they are to drive. The bZ4X is a car that looks fun to drive but also offers great value for the price.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Rivian R1T

Rivian was a groundbreaking automotive brand because consumers never thought an electric pickup truck could be successful. Well, times have changed and the Rivian R1T is just one of many available. The R1T is perhaps the most traditional-looking truck in the mix and that’s okay (via Top Speed).

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Because the stellar range and functionality more than make up for it. The R1T offers fast charging times and a competitive range. The truck bed is more than functional enough for the causal trips to the hardware store, and the towing capacity is great too. The R1T is the future of electric pickup trucks.

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Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes has been at the forefront of new electric technology but the EQS is one of the first consumer products available. This sporty crossover offers some of the most advanced charging technology in the world. Driving a Benz means that it needs to be luxurious as well and the EQS offers plenty of bang for the buck (via MB USA).

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The EQS is not the only Mercedes electric vehicle on the market, but it has been the most noticeable. Technology is continuing to advance and there will be more models soon. From a value perspective, the EQS can’t be beaten.

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Tesla Model 3

The Model 3 is another car that has been around the block for a while. The design was cutting-edge when the car was released but now it’s fallen behind the competition. But there are still a lot of advantages to owning a Model 3. The first of which is the advanced self-driving technology that has gone into the car (via MSN).

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The second benefit is the fast charging technology Tesla has also incorporated. There is also a well-established dealership network for repairs and the prices have come down on used models. These factors make the Model 3 one of the best bargains in the electric car segment.

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Kia EV6

It was only a matter of time before Kia got in on the electric car segment. The EV6 is an offering and if the car looks familiar it’s because it shares its underpinnings with the Hyundai Ioniq 6. But that doesn’t mean the EV6 is a lackluster car. The crossover design is welcoming for people who need more cargo space (via MSN).

Photo Credit: Edmunds

The fast charging is excellent if you don’t live somewhere where you can locate a charging station. The interior is fairly easy to navigate and the quality of the materials is exceptional. The EV6 might be one of the best futuristic-looking Kia models yet.

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BMW IX

Money gets you peace of mind and that’s where the IX comes in. The IX is one of the newest electric car offerings from BMW. The crossover design is very reminiscent of the BMW SUV models that we’ve seen over the past decade. The interior quality is above average and the materials are top-notch (via Car & Driver).

Photo Credit: BMW

But this is a BMW and quality shouldn’t be overlooked. The performance of the IX is exceptional and the charging time is fast. When it comes to high-priced luxury EV models the competition is fierce and the BMW IX stands out from the crowd.

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Chrysler TEVan

Believe it or not, Chrysler was one of the earliest adopters of electric vehicle technology. The TEVan was based on the 1993 Town & Country and it utilized a battery charging pack to feed the 60 HP motor. The van only achieved a range of about 85 miles on a full charge and only 56 of them were put into production (via Hot Cars).

Photo Credit: Car Domain

The TEVan wasn’t a success but it showed the company was serious about electric cars. The Town & Country wasn’t the best base to use for a new electric vehicle, but Chrysler was still rebuilding from the 1980s.

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Solectria Sunrise

Although Tesla is generally credited with bringing electric vehicles to the forefront, there was another company doing it in the 1990s. Solectria was a company that designed a few electric cars nearing production. One of the most prominent models was the Solectria Sunrise, which debuted on the auto show circuit in 1996 (via Hot Cars).

Photo Credit: Edmunds

If the car looked familiar, it was because the base of the vehicle was a Geo Metro. But its lightweight design gave designers a lot of room to mess around with. The Sunrise never made it into production but it’s amazing to see how futuristic this car was.

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General Motors EV1

The EV1 was probably one of the most notorious vehicles in history, and with good reason. GM developed this car and leased it to consumers, only to decide to crush them upon return. This caused an uproar and even spawned a documentary. The EV1 was the first modern mass-produced electric car that didn’t break the bank (via Motor Trend).

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The Saturn brand offered the humble underpinnings of the car. The EV1 was so popular that there was a waitlist and even Danny Devito owned one of them. Unfortunately, GM learned from its mistakes and its modern electric cars are much better.

Photo Credit: Car Domain

Ford Ranger EV

Believe it or not, the new F-150 Lightning was not the first electric-powered Ford truck, although the company would love to think that. It was the Ranger EV which was produced in small numbers in 1997. The truck was very simplistic with a lead-acid battery and a 90-horsepower motor, but it was enough for the fleet customers who wanted one (via Motor Biscuit).

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The Ranger EV offered everything great about the Ranger, from its reliability to the affordable price tag. The truck was a stellar product but it was only produced in small numbers and only available in a single-cab configuration.

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Honda EV Plus

Honda also offered an EV model in the 1990s called the EV Plus. This little hatchback was a lot smaller than the Civic model at the time. The EV Plus only had 66 horsepower and it reached 105 miles on a single charge. Perhaps the most interesting about the car was that it seated four passengers (via Top Gear).

Photo Credit: Honda

There were 340 examples put into production and although it doesn’t look like it the EV Plus was a groundbreaking car. The fact that Honda was able to produce this car on such a small scale with such advanced technology and keep the price down is commendable.

Photo Credit: Toyota

Toyota RAV4 EV

The RAV4 EV was an SUV that you might have seen at a car show a time or two. There were 1500 of them leased in California and this was the first modern electric SUV. The overall style and feeling of the RAV4 were quite normal, the only difference was that it was electric. The RAV4 EV boasted a reasonable driving range and the lease wasn’t hard to get your hands on (via Motor Trend).

Photo Credit: Toyota

The model was based on the first-generation RAV which itself was a great SUV. The RAV4 was the originator of the car-based compact SUV segment that we have today. The RAV4 EV was by far one of the most advanced and futuristic SUV models.

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Nissan Altra

Even though Nissan was in bad shape in the 1990s, there were still a few great concept cars. One of the most notable was the Altra, which was an electric-powered wagon model. The engine was 84 horsepower and 105 miles, which was impressive at the time (via Motor Trend).

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The Altra was also one of the first electric cars to use a lithium-ion battery. This technology was later adapted for the Nissan Leaf model. The Altra was a comfortable and consumer-friendly electric car that was way ahead of its time.

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Chevrolet S-10 Electric

General Motors was never a company to be outdone by Ford, and when Ford unveiled the Ranger EV in the ’90s, GM had its own answer. The S-10 Electric was also a fleet vehicle only available in a single trim. The range wasn’t all that great and the truck was about as basic as it came (via Hot Cars).

Photo Credit: Edmunds

From the rubber floors to the black grill and bumpers the S-10 Electric wasn’t anything great to look at. But the fact that it was electric was appealing to fleet customers, who needed to save money on their bottom lines.

Photo Credit: TMZ

Fisker Karma

The Fisker Karma beat Tesla to the market by a long shot and the car was the sweetheart of environmentally conscious celebrities. But its high price tag and relatively unknown brand meant the car was bound to fail. Karma never broke any sales records and there were very few produced (via Car and Driver).

Photo Credit: Fisker

But the beautiful styling of the Karma almost made you forget it was an electric car. The Karma wasn’t produced but for a few short years. Interestingly enough the brand is going to be making a resurgence with the new Fisker Ocean model.

Photo Credit: Edmunds

Tesla Roadster

The Tesla Roadster was the car that started it all for the company. And although the Tesla Roadster is primitive by today’s standards, it was the standard bearer for what a production electric car should be. There were points in time when Tesla was almost out of money bringing the Roadster to the market (via Car Buzz).

Photo Credit: Edmunds

The earliest Tesla Roadster models were plagued with bugs and issues, but it was enough to get the company ahead. The Roadster was a success for Tesla and it was one of the most futuristic vehicles on the road.

Photo Credit: BMW

BMW E1

The BMW E1 was a concept car released in the 1990s. While it didn’t look like much from the outside the design was great. The technology that went into the E1 was far ahead of the time. Like with most electric vehicles from this period, BMW had to stick to a fairly compact design (via Car & Driver).

Photo Credit: BMW

The E1 was never mass-produced, but BMW continued to perfect the technology for years to come. While most modern EV manufacturers are getting all the notoriety it was BMW that was one of the first major players.

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