Edmunds anticipates that 30 EVs from 21 brands will become available for sale this year, compared to 17 vehicles from 12 brands in 2020; it will also be the first year all three major vehicle categories are represented
Santa Monica, Calif.—Electric vehicle sales are poised to hit their highest level on record in 2021, according to the car shopping experts at Edmunds. Edmunds data shows that EV sales made up 1.9 percent of retail sales in the U.S. in 2020; Edmunds analysts expect this number to grow to 2.5 percent this year.
“After years of speculation and empty promises, 2021 is actually shaping up to be a pivotal year for growth in the EV sector,” said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds’ executive director of insights. “We’re not only about to see a massive leap in the number of EVs available in the market; we’re also going to see a more diverse lineup of electric vehicles that better reflect current consumer preferences. And given that the new presidential administration has pledged its support for electrification, the U.S. is likely to see incentive programs targeted at fostering the growth of this technology further.”
Fleet of available EVs increases
Edmunds analysts anticipate that 30 EVs from 21 brands will become available for sale this year, compared to 17 vehicles from 12 brands in 2020. Notably, this will be the first year that these offerings represent all three major vehicle categories: Consumers will have the choice among 11 cars, 13 SUVs and six trucks in 2021, whereas only 10 cars and seven SUVs were available last year. For the full list of EVs expected to come to market in 2021, see the table below.
This diverse spread of EV offerings should help encourage stronger loyalty among EV owners, which has dwindled over the years as shoppers have gravitated toward larger vehicles. According to Edmunds data, 71 percent of EV owners who didn’t buy another EV traded in their vehicle for a truck or SUV in 2020, compared to 60 percent in 2019 and 34 percent in 2015.
“Americans have a love affair with trucks and SUVs, to the detriment of EVs, which have until recently been mostly passenger cars,” said Caldwell. “Automakers should have a much better shot of recapturing some of the EV buyers who they’ve lost now that they can offer larger, more utilitarian electric vehicles.”
Shift in consumer interest
Edmunds analysts note that this infusion of fresh new products comes at a time where the market is also seeing a positive shift in consumer interest in EVs. According to Google Trends data, consumer searches for electric trucks and SUVs have recently hit a high point after trending upward for years.
“Besides affordability, one of the biggest barriers to increased EV sales has simply been tepid consumer reception — it’s been tough for companies that aren’t Tesla to crack the code of how to get shoppers hyped up for these vehicles,” said Caldwell. “But in the past year we’ve seen automakers throw huge advertising dollars behind their EV launches in an attempt to drum up some buzz, and it’s promising that consumers seem to at least be more aware of the options out there.”
Electric Vehicles Expected to be Available for Sale in 2021
| Model Year | Make | Model | Vehicle Category |
| 2021 | Atlis | XT | large truck |
| 2021 | Audi | e-tron | luxury midsize SUV |
| 2021 | Audi | e-tron Sportback | luxury midsize SUV |
| 2021 | BMW | i3 | luxury subcompact car |
| 2021 | Chevrolet | Bolt EV | subcompact car |
| 2021 | Ford | Mustang Mach-E | midsize SUV |
| 2021 | Hercules | Alpha | large truck |
| 2021 | Honda | Clarity | midsize car |
| 2021 | Hyundai | Ioniq Electric | compact car |
| 2021 | Hyundai | Kona Electric | subcompact SUV |
| 2021 | Kia | Niro EV | subcompact SUV |
| 2021 | Lordstown Motors | Endurance | large truck |
| 2021 | Lucid | Air | luxury large car |
| 2021 | Mercedes-Benz | EQC | luxury compact SUV |
| 2021 | Mini | Hardtop 2 Door | sports car |
| 2021 | Nissan | Leaf | compact car |
| 2021 | Polestar | 2 | luxury midsize car |
| 2021 | Porsche | Taycan | luxury large car |
| 2021 | Rivian | R1S | luxury large SUV |
| 2021 | Rivian | R1T | midsize truck |
| 2021 | Tesla | Cybertruck | large truck |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model 3 | luxury compact car |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model S | luxury large car |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model X | luxury large SUV |
| 2021 | Tesla | Model Y | luxury compact SUV |
| 2021 | Volvo | XC40 Recharge | luxury subcompact SUV |
| 2021 | VW | ID.4 | compact SUV |
| 2022 | Chevrolet | Bolt EUV | compact SUV |
| 2022 | GMC | Hummer EV SUV | large truck |
| 2022 | Nissan | Ariya | compact SUV |
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