If 2021 was the year the world sat up and took notice of the emobility revolution, 2022 is the year that electrification reaches the mainstream – and nowhere is that more apparent than in the North American truck market.
By the end of 2021, the first of the innovative Rivian R1T and imposing, 1000 hp GMC Hummer electric pickups began to reach customers. GM announced plans to reveal an all-electric version of the best-selling Chevrolet Silverado during January’s CES, and Ford has sold out its first production run of 200,000 F-150 Lightning electric pickups – which are set to revolutionize the way truck owners look at jobsites and tailgate parties with their game-changing Pro Power onboard generators.
The most incredible thing about all these new e-trucks? When we first began laying the groundwork for Electrify Expo back in 2019, none of them existed.
What a Time to Be Alive
Speaking of things that we couldn’t have foreseen just a few years ago, its important to note that the fastest growing electric vehicle market isn’t on four wheels – it’s on two. The electrified bicycle market has been red-hot, seeing nearly unfathomable growth since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
What kind of growth are we talking about? This past October, Fortune cited a 190% growth in ebike sales from 2019 to 2020, and projected the total ebike market to top $52 billion (with a “b”) by 2028 – and some industry observers think even that projection is overly conservative.
In response, a number of investors are looking for a way “in” to the red-hot growth market that emobility represents. Rad Power Bike – one of the oldest names in American emobility – recently raised $154 million in new investment, while legendary car brand Porsche acquired Rimac’s Greyp eMTB brand to developing an all-new ebike worthy of sharing a badge with its historic sports cars.
For two-wheeled enthusiasts who want a little bit more power, range, and speed, Harley-Davidson is spinning off the Livewire brand with its own IPO on the New York Stock Exchange coming in 2022. Damon and Zero are also launching new models in the US – and, while we’re on the topic of Zero – it’s worth noting that their first collaboration with Polaris, an all-electric ATV packing 110 hp – will begin to reach its first customers in 2022.
There’s more to emobility than cars and bikes, of course, and 2022 will bring advances in other ways. Arrival’s electric city bus will finally reach production this year, after years of proving itself in testing. Amazon-backed Zoox’ autonomous ride-hailing service is making strides too, and Google-owned Waymo just announced a collaboration with Geely – the parent company of Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus Cars – to develop a “rider focused” robotaxi that will begin to see service in Phoenix and San Francisco in the coming months, as well.
Land, Air, and Sea
That’s not all for emobility. In 2022, boats like the sport Zin and Nautique Super Air will be thrilling their customers without noise, fumes, or gas leaks – and their instant torque is something no gas engine can match. Looking ahead, larger electric yachts like those coming from X-Shore and Hinckley will be sure to make waves (sorry) as the year goes on.
Finally, 2022 will see the first flights of electric eVTOL air taxis like the Joby and Jetson personal drone – along with a demonstration race of the thrilling Airspeeder, an EV that combines the look of classic Formula 1 cars with the aerial adrenaline of high-speed drone racing.
Yes, emobility is everywhere – and the best place to experience it in 2022 will still be the Electrify Expo LIVE events set to kick off once again this summer in Los Angeles, California. Subscribe to the Electrify Expo podcast for more emobility news and more information on the 2022 show season as it becomes available. Until then, we hope you have yourself a very happy new year!
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