It’s a brand new yr, and we’re looking at what 2021 would possibly maintain for electrical pickup vans, electrical automobiles, greater volumes, and extra.
Final summer time, I referred to as 2021 the yr of the electrical automobile, and as we speak, on the primary day of the yr, we’re discussing a couple of tendencies that we expect will make that occur.
Electrical pickup vans
These aren’t as essential all over the place, however within the US, pickup vans are essential in accelerating electrical automobile adoption.
Pickup vans are the most important section of passenger automobiles, and except that adjustments, we want electrical pickup choices to succeed in mass adoption of electrical automobiles.
2021 is the yr these first electrical pickup truck choices might be coming, though I’ve tempered my expectations in comparison with earlier in 2020.
At this level, I’m assured that we’re going to see deliveries of the Rivian R1T, at the least a couple of Hummer EVs, possibly some Lordstown Endurance pickups to some fleet prospects, and that’s about it.

Formally, Tesla says that the Cybertruck ought to come by late 2021, however I’ve my doubts about that contemplating the complexity of bringing the truck to manufacturing.
I favor to maintain my hopes down and be pleasantly shocked.
As for the Ford F150 Electrical, the automaker already delayed it to mid-2022.
Due to this fact, I believe the precise quantity of electrical pickup vans delivered in 2021 might be comparatively low, actually in comparison with the general quantity of pickup vans within the US, however the begin of electrical pickup truck deliveries continues to be a major milestone for electrical automobiles within the US.
It should slowly begin to change the mind-set of pickup truck patrons and lay the groundwork for when extra fashions and better volumes will come, which can doubtless be in 2022-23.
Increased volumes of electrical automobiles
Whereas electrical pickup truck volumes are going to be low in 2021, there are greater volumes of electrical automobiles which can be going to launch this yr.
The premium section goes electrical in an enormous approach this yr with the Audi This autumn e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQA, and BMW iNEXT all coming to market.

With so many nice electrical automobiles beginning to populate the premium segments, it’s going to change into arduous for premium electrical automobile patrons to determine to purchase a gasoline automobile.
Within the greater premium section, after a couple of delays, the launch of the Lucid Air seems to be stable for this yr. I don’t anticipate essential quantity from them in 2021, however they’ve thrilling stuff in the case of tech and efficiency. If profitable this yr, it may set them up for a ramp-up in 2022.
In the case of cheaper automobiles, Nissan is lastly following up the Leaf with the Ariya electrical crossover, and that ought to are available respectable quantity.
Additionally, we’ve electrical automobiles just like the VW ID.four and Mustang Mach-E, which have technically launched in 2020, however they’re going to are available a lot greater volumes in 2021.
But when we’re speaking quantity, we’ve to speak concerning the Tesla Mannequin Y in 2021.
The automobile launched in 2020 and Tesla has achieved quantity manufacturing, however that may hold ramping up in a large approach in 2021.
Let’s not neglect, Tesla plans to begin producing Mannequin Y at three extra factories (Gigafactory Berlin, Gigafactory Shanghai, and Gigafactory Texas) in 2021, leading to Mannequin Y being produced in 4 totally different factories on three totally different continents in 2021.
I’ve little question that the Tesla Mannequin Y goes to succeed in an insane quantity of manufacturing and deliveries in 2021.
Battery value and efficiency
Unsurprisingly, I believe 2021 will hold the development of battery value discount and efficiency enhancements going sturdy.
We must always even see a couple of automakers attain the often-discussed $100 per kWh value milestone.
That is going to make EVs not solely cheaper on complete value of possession, but additionally the sticker worth clearer for extra folks within the business, which ought to speed up electrification plans at many automakers who’ve been lagging behind on that entrance.
Client mind-set on electrical automobiles
At Electrek, for some time now, we’ve been pushing the concept that there’s going to be a large shift within the mind-set of automobile patrons in the case of electrical automobiles.
They will see the long run resale worth potential of gasoline-powered automobiles plummet and begin to take that into consideration with their new automobile buy — leading to a large shift of demand for electrical automobiles.
We anticipate that by 2025, solely a small fraction of latest automobile patrons won’t see some great benefits of electrical automobiles and can be capable to discover an electrical automobile that matches their wants on the proper worth level.
Most business analysts don’t see that occuring till 2030-2040, however we disagree.
As common, analysts will speed up their timeline in 2021 because it turns into extra apparent, and hopefully, automakers will regulate their plan, as a result of it’s clear proper now that the business as a complete is just not prepared for that shift.
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