Love them or hate them, electric vehicles (EV) are becoming an ever more prevalent part of the global motoring scene.
They now come in all shapes and sizes ranging from mind-blowing electric hypercars to everyday workhorses like battery-powered panel vans and industrial vehicles.
The rapid growth of the EV industry has also provided an opportunity for several new players to jump into this sector, many of which are worth keeping an eye out for.
These are five electric cars that we wish to see on South African streets in the near future.
Qiantu K50
This two-door sports car was designed and built in China but has since been expanded to markets including the United States, and it has also been approved by European safety standard tests.
Powered by a liquid-cooled 78kWh battery, the Qiantu is good for 321km of range with a power output of 320kW and a 0-100km/h time of 4.2 seconds.
Its roof is equipped with a solar panel that helps to power the interior systems such as the air conditioner, heated windscreen, and 15.6-inch tablet-style control centre without draining the main battery.
Pricing for the K50 starts at R2.1 million, putting it in the same ballpark as the Porsche Taycan.
Apex Ap-0
A British design, the Ap-0 was built as a track-day car with sci-fi looks and performance to back it up.
An all carbon-fibre body means the car only weighs 1,200kg, which in addition to its Formula 1-style pushrod suspension, leads to great handling.
A 90kWh battery and sizeable motors result in 484kW of power, giving the Apex a lightning-fast acceleration time of just 2.3 seconds.
Range, meanwhile, is quoted at 514km, and an 80% charge can be achieved in under 15 minutes on the right plug.
Going along with its futuristic design, the Apex uses lasers to dynamically map the road ahead of it in real-time to identify potential hazards, and it also employs holographic augmented reality technology to assist the driver in learning a new track.
Cupra Leon E-Racer
The E-Racer was developed by Cupra, formerly the sports division of VW subsidiary Seat, which has since become its own brand.
Built to touring car specifications, the E-Racer took part in both last year’s and this year’s FIA eTouring Car World Cup.
Packing a total of 507kW and 960Nm from its four electric motors, alongside a 65kWh battery, it takes 3.2 seconds to reach a speed of 100km/h before maxing out at an incredible 272km/h.
Cupra’s sporty creation has also seen action on wet and snowy tracks, where the front air intakes and rear spoiler play a big role in providing extra grip and downforce.
Kyburz E-Rod
A somewhat different EV experience, the E-Rod immediately draws comparison to similar stripped-down track cars like the Ariel Atom.
Remarkably, the Kyburz is even lighter than the Atom, taking up just 530kg, despite the burden of a battery and electric motor which usually add significant weight to any EV.
Even though it only has 45kW and 140Nm at its disposal, its exceptionally lightweight frame means it can still reach 100km/h in 5.0 seconds before capping out at 120km/h.
A range of 208km should provide enough distance for hours of fun at a track, and an off-road version with chunkier tyres and a windscreen is also available for outdoor excursions.
Baltasar Revolt
In contrast to other European EV startups like Rimac, which focus on building high-performance electric hypercars, Spanish car company Baltasar is targeting the lightweight roadster market with its maiden vehicle – the Revolt.
Two electric motors provide the roofless two-door with 372kW and an incredible 1,000Nm, letting it rocket to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds.
Built to FIA racing standards, the Revolt weighs just 770kg and is able to get 100km of range out of a five-minute charge.
Having made its initial debut last year, the roadster is now available for purchase at a price point of R4 million before tax.
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