AUTO

Buyer’s Guide: Most Innovative New EVs

January 1, 2024

If you’re a technology lover, seeing how quickly electric vehicle tech is moving is incredibly exciting. One thing I enjoy looking at when shopping for EVs is how innovative the vehicle is, and, right now, there’s plenty to choose from.

Here are some of the most innovative vehicles available in 2024. (And a few concepts I’m very excited about too.)

Hyundai IONIQ 5

I’m a huge fan of vehicle-to-everything technology. But, this technology is new and not widely available, yet. So, I’m thrilled to see a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature in the new IONIQ 5. The 120v outlets can power all sorts of tools and appliances.

This elevates camping trips and gives you the chance to use the power stored in your battery for things like tools, too. Imagine being able to make proper coffee during your next trip into the wilderness.

On top of this, the IONIQ 5 also features remote smart park, which means it’ll park itself even when you’re not inside. Very handy if you’ve got a narrow parking lot to navigate and want to leave the car with your stuff before parking in a cramped space.

Rivian R1T

Want to camp in your car? The 2024 Rivian R1T has you covered with its Camp Mode. This levels the truck using air suspension so you’re always comfortable no matter what terrain you’ve parked on. This is the perfect complement to the truck’s off-road abilities and makes it a great companion if you want to get out into the great outdoors.

On top of the Camp Mode features, the R1T also has Kneel Mode to make entry and exit easier and a special Pet Comfort setting that maintains a consistent temperature in the cabin for your pet while you’re away from the vehicle. So if you travel with your furry friends, this is a feature you won’t want to miss.

NIO ES6

You’ve no doubt seen the videos but Chinese brand NIO offers battery swapping capability across all models. The ES6 SUV (known as the EL6 in Europe) is one of NIO’s most premium vehicles and on top of allowing you to book in to swap your battery (in place of sitting and charging), you also get the NOMI assistant.

I originally thought NOMI was a little gimmicky, and perhaps it is, but it’s useful too. The friendly assistant will greet you with facial expressions and information but it also responds to your voice commands and learns over time to anticipate your needs thanks to its machine learning software.

If you want an alternative option to charging or fancy interacting with an AI friend as you drive, NIO is a brand to keep an eye on. The ES6/EL6 is currently available in China and select countries in Europe but is expected to enter the USA and UK markets by 2025.

Ford F-150 Lightning

This battery-electric light-duty truck has no pause button with an estimated 320-mile range (with the extended range battery). The Ford F-150 Lightning also has kick with sub-four-second zero-to-60 time. It’s got all the utility you need for daily life but these EVs also have an innovative feature that could protect your home from blackouts. Ford Intelligent Backup Power has an onboard generator. It can connect to the Ford Charge Station Pro to power your home (or business) during a loss of network power.

Audi A6 Avant e-tron

This concept was just too cool not to share. The Audi A6 Avant e-tron all-electric wagon’s headlights double as projectors. That means you can park facing a wall or flat surface and display your favorite games, movies, and shows using the headlights alone. Unfortunately, the perfect date-night concept probably won’t make it into the final production (expected mid-late 2024). Even so, it’s a fun nod to the features we might be able to expect from our EVs.

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT

The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT is the electric muscle car that we’ve been waiting for. Firstly, it looks the part and we know it’s going to be quick. What’s also exciting is that it’ll also make noise thanks to its 126 dB Fratzonic chambered exhaust that’ll give you the rumbling idle and throaty roar you’ve been missing. If you’re one of those people who find the standard EV a little bland, this is the 2024 release you need to keep an eye on.

So whether you’re looking for something to make camping a little more comfortable or your next long drive to be as comfortable as possible, look out for one of these innovative EVs.