This year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) took place in Las Vegas in January and was a hotbed for new electric cars.
Automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac took to the show to display futuristic concepts, while brands including VinFast revealed new models that are nearly ready for production.
Below are the coolest electric cars shown off at CES.
BMW iX Flow
The iX Flow is an SUV that can “vary its shade at the driver’s prompting”.
This means it can change colour, with the model on show transitioning from white to black on command.
To achieve this, the surface of the iX wears millions of microcapsules that contain negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments, similar to the E-Ink displays of e-readers.
Stimulating these capsules with an electrical field will see the desired shade of pigments collect at the surface.
Cadillac InnerSpace
The Cadillac InnerSpace Concept embodies the company’s vision of a “personal autonomous future” and fully-autonomous luxury vehicle.
This concept allows two passengers to focus on the world around them rather than on driving, with augmented reality engagement, biometric-authorised abilities, and a panoramic display providing many opportunities to take your eyes off the road.
Chevrolet Silverado EV
The Chevrolet Silverado EV is the newest entrant to the electric bakkie race, and it will go on sale in 2024.
Depending on the model, this bakkie will offer a 644km range and a maximum towing capacity of 4,536kg.
Facilitating these impressive abilities is a “24-module Ultium” battery powering an electric motor on each axle, which generate 495kW and 1,058Nm.
Chrysler Airflow
Chrysler revealed the Airflow Concept, a precursor to the first customer-facing, battery-electric vehicle the brand will launch in 2025.
The vehicle is equipped with level 3 autonomous driving capabilities, boasts up to 644km of range, and features a smart cockpit with AI-based navigation, voice assistance, and marketplace and payment options.
Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX
The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX has been developed to answer the “progressive demands of a modern generation”.
The EQXX is a vehicle that focuses on increasing battery efficiency, resulting in a car that is projected to offer 1,000km of range on a single charge.
It also debuts a new one-piece display with updated user experience features that allow the “car and driver to work together as one”.
“The software-led development process that delivered it revolutionises the way electric cars are designed,” said Mercedes-Benz.
Sony Vision-S 02
Sony ventured into vehicle building a few years ago, and showed off its newest prototype called the Vision-S 02 at CES.
The SUV “envelops occupants with a thrilling experience” through a large and minimalistic cabin that sees a dash-spanning infotainment display upfront.
The Vision-S 02 offers seating for up to seven, a top speed of over 180km/h, and 400kW of power – as well as 5G connectivity, personalized software capabilities, and level 2+ driver assistance.
Vinfast VF5, VF6, and VF7
VinFast, a Vietnamese automaker, unveiled three new SUVs at CES – the VF5, VF6, and VF7.
All three slot in below the VF8 and VF9 SUVs the brand revealed last year, and are aimed at more price-conscious buyers.
According to a report by MotorAuthority, customers in the U.S. who buy a VinFast vehicle in 2022 are required to lease a battery at a flexible or fixed rate, which will make monthly operating costs approximately equal to that of a similar petrol or diesel vehicle.
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