Automakers Announce Electric Versions Of Some Of History’s Most Memorable Cars

Up until now, consumers have only had a choice over a small number of electric vehicles. You could either buy a sedan or a supermini, that was about it.

But manufacturers are now catching up. And more and more of them are giving consumers what they want. In the future, we’re going to see EVs in many more shapes and sizes.

What’s interesting about this movement, though, is how the technology is facilitating the comeback of some of history’s most iconic vehicles. Freed from the shackles of internal combustion engines, designers have more scope to play with form than ever before. And that means that they have been able to bring back many of the classic vehicles from the past. What they’re coming up with is both familiar and futuristic.

Mini Cooper Electric

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The Mini has been around since the 1960s in various forms. The original car was incredibly small and frugal, perfect for the energy shortages of the 1970s. Soon after the year 2000, VW introduced a revised version of the vehicle. It had some of the aesthetic of the original, but it was more in line with other hatchbacks available at the time. It was mainly just a funky alternative.

Now, though, Mini is doing something completely new. The company has brought out an electric version of the classic designed specifically for congested city driving. While everyone else is paying through the teeth for fuel, Mini hopes that their vehicle will prove significantly more economical. Unfortunately, the range is just 110 miles, so you can’t use the car to travel further afield.

Mercedes-Benz EQV

The Mercedes-Benz EQV is supposed to be a replacement for the typical American minivan. The large 8-seater “people carrier” is for big families and businesses who want to shuttle people around in an eco-friendly manner.

Two versions are available: long and extra-long. And the vehicle has a range of 259 miles or more, making it practical for city and intercity use in some areas. Mercedes first debuted the car at the Geneva International Motor Show in 2019, but it soon hit forecourts after that.

GMC Hummer EV

Of all the vehicles ever associated with “gas-guzzling,” the GMC Hummer was the worst offender. When Arnold Schwarzeneggar started driving his during the 2000s, people were aghast. Why would somebody who claims to care about the environment go out and do that?

GMC had a bit of a branding crisis on its hands. And it’s stuck with them for years. But now the company is turning things around. The new GMC Hummer EV looks just as bad as the original vehicle, but it doesn’t rely on fossil fuels at all. Instead, it comes with a battery pack that’ll give owners a 250-mile range.

What’s more, buyers get all of the features that made the original off-roader so popular. All-terrain tires, all-weather floor liners, and enormous wheels all come as standard. Upgrades include an infinity roof and the ability to modify the driving experience on the fly. The only downside in the price. Hummer wants $85,000 for one of these puppies.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

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Granted, the Ford Mustang has been around in various forms for decades now. But the new electric version is a real throwback to the original 1983 vehicle. What’s more, Ford’s battery technology is pretty decent. You’ll get 303 miles out of the new vehicle, which is roughly what the previous ICE version offered.

Ford knows that an electric Mustang is a hard sell. The people who would usually buy it aren’t interested in battery technology. They’re motorheads. But the company is hoping to wind them over with the vehicle’s insane performance. The new EV is substantially more powerful than anything that’s come before, including the Mustangs of the last decade.

VW ID.Buzz

If you think you’ve seen the VW ID. Buzz somewhere before, you’re not alone. It harks back to the manufacturer’s Microbus, a vehicle that became synonymous with 1960s culture.

The ID. Buzz is available in Europe to selected buyers right now and is slated to debut in the US market in 2024. However, there are already numerous car shipping companies ferrying these vehicles to keen American buyers already.

As you might expect, the vehicle’s performance is significantly better than its 1960s predecessor. But that’s not what makes the car special. What really stands out is the incredible 30-color lighting system VW included. Drivers can set the mood how they want via a “mood menu.” Groovy.

There is also a digital speed limiter to 90 mph and the ability to fold down a three-person interior bench and tables for more space.

Dodge Charger Daytona SRT

The Dodge Charger Daytona is a classic all-American muscle car. The original 1960s and 1970s versions of the vehicle are still highly sought-after today. Many collectors are willing to pay upwards of half a million dollars for quality examples.

Throughout its entire history, the Charger Daytona was gas-powered. But now Dodge is changing its approach. The new vehicle will be all-electric and will offer superior performance to the cars of old

What’s interesting about the SRT concept is how similar it looks to the original vehicle. The super boxy shape is gone, but the muscle car era is well and truly here to stay, thanks to this vehicle.

The car will go on sale in 2024. Dodge is yet to reveal the price and battery range of the vehicle.

Conclusion

Automakers can see the writing on the wall. Regardless of what happens to the price of oil in the near-term, the ICE era is probably over. Eventually, drivers will need to replace their vehicles with lithium-ion equivalents.

So far, it’s been a hard sell. However, carmakers are now appealing to nostalgia to win over their biggest skeptics. If they can get through to motorheads and lovers of all things classic, they will have won half the battle.

Of course, things could still change. Consumers may still reject EVs in their current form. But all these new models are still a good sign.