Electric car technology has made great strides, going from a fringe luxury product to the new standard in automotive manufacturing. Electric vehicles now include sports cars, freight trucks, bikes and many other products designed to make travel easier, quicker and more eco-friendly.
Electric Car Companies to Know
- Tesla
- Rivian
- Lucid Motors
- NIO
- BMW Group
- General Motors
- XPeng
- Ford
- Canoo
- Fisker
Data from Statista shows revenue in the global electric vehicle (EV) market is expected to reach more than $786 billion in 2024, climbing to over $1 trillion in 2029.
Take a look at this list of electric car companies helping increase mobility while reducing their energy footprint.
Electric Car Companies to Know
Toyota turned heads with hybrid models like the Toyota Prius and Toyota Camry, and the brand now boasts a diverse fleet of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell electric and all-electric vehicles. The Toyota Mirai is a fuel cell-powered sedan that gets its power from hydrogen and oxygen and takes as little as five minutes to recharge. Meanwhile, the Toyota bZ4X is an SUV with an electric battery that enables it to travel over an estimated 250 miles on a single charge.
Nissan has been producing its all-electric LEAF since 2010, when it debuted as the first electric vehicle available on the mass market. The company added another model to its EV portfolio in 2023 with the release of the Nissan ARIYA. To make getting around easier for its EV customers, Nissan is planning to launch its own network of chargers, which drivers will be able to find via the MyNISSAN app.
Mercedes-Benz has upgraded its luxury lineup with a slate of electric vehicles, including the EQE Sedan and the EQB SUV. Each EV monitors its battery levels to suggest a good time to recharge and quickly finds public chargers through the Mercedes-Benz app. Mercedes-Benz drivers can also visit the brand’s website to access an adjustable charging calculator for their specific electric model.
Tesla is one of the leading electric car manufacturers and developers in the world. It was one of the first companies to perfect EV design. In addition to developing and marketing high-speed electric vehicles, the company also develops solar panels designed for use in businesses and homes.
As part of the BMW Group, BMW has added three all-electric sedans and an all-electric SUV to its lineup. All electric models can travel over 300 miles on a single charge and connect to the My BMW app for remote monitoring. When it comes to home charging, BMW provides customers with a BMW Wallbox that can fully charge an EV in under 12 hours. The company’s electric models are compatible with public Level 2 and 3 chargers as well.
Faraday Future builds luxury vehicles that are both electrified and equipped with artificial intelligence features. The company’s AI technology suite and vehicle architecture support LiDAR systems, safety features like automatic emergency braking, a high-powered in-vehicle network and autonomous driving. Customers who purchase any FF 91 model also receive a portable charger that can be installed by Faraday Future’s partner Qmerit.
Known as the Chinese rival of Tesla, Xpeng Motors complements its smart driving features with an enhanced design for its electric vehicles. The company has outfitted its lineup with a new high-voltage platform that can complete charging in five minutes while delivering a range of over 120 miles on a full battery. Xpeng Motors also equips its EVs with a thermal management system, increasing batteries’ efficiency and endurance.
From personal vehicles to cargo delivery trucks, Canoo’s many electric vehicle offerings support both individual and corporate clients sustainably in their transportation needs. Walmart signed an agreement to purchase 4,500 EVs from Canoo to make deliveries in 2023, and the U.S. Postal Service and NASA have also joined Canoo’s customer base. More recently, the company received approval to begin testing its vehicles in the United Kingdom.
Volvo’s vehicles include four pure electric car offerings along with five hybrid models. The latest electric additions of the EX90 SUV and EX30 SUV give drivers a larger and more compact option to explore. The company is aiming to have EVs make up as much as 100 percent of its global sales by 2030 and to achieve zero emissions by 2040.
Nikola builds electric semi-trucks. One model, the TRE BEV that became available in 2021, can travel up to 330 miles and has a charge time of approximately 90 minutes. For customers ready to go electric, Nikola offers consulting services on topics like installing EV charging infrastructure. The company also has a hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric truck that became available in 2023.
Daimler is on track to electrify the commercial vehicle sector with its eMobility strategy. By combining its truck technology with electric battery power, the company has produced several all-electric truck models, including the eCascadia. In addition, Daimler has teamed up with Thomas Built Buses to design all-electric school buses for school districts across the U.S.
In addition to having multiple vehicle models available as hybrids, Ford also produces three all-electric vehicles. That includes the E-Transit, which is a commercial cargo van offered with three different options for length and roof height. For customers who choose the Mustang Mach-E or F-150 Lightning, Ford can install a complimentary home charger.
VinFast has developed compact, standard and large SUVs that are electrified and built with a tech-heavy approach. Features include lane centering assist, adaptive cruise control and an in-car voice assistant. VinFast offers its own home charger that charges up to eight times faster than the typical 120-volt wall outlet, according to the company. In addition, VinFast’s models work with over 90,000 Level 2 and 3 public chargers in North America.
Chevrolet has three fully-electric vehicle models on the market — the Equinox EV, Blazer EV and Silverado EV. Drivers can travel up to 319 miles on a single charge in the Equinox EV and around 440 miles in the Silverado EV. Chevy’s EV models have access to thousands of public chargers across the U.S. and Canada, and drivers can locate nearby chargers with the myChevrolet app.
Fisker made a name for itself with the Fisker Karma, which was one of the first luxury plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The company has since expanded its EV lineup to include vehicles that support a range of lifestyles. While models like the Fisker Alaska and Fisker Ocean feature durability for rugged terrain, the Fisker PEAR is more suited to drivers who want to navigate urban environments in an eco-friendly ride.
With over 100 years of experience, General Motors is pushing for an all-electric future for the car industry. The company strives to create electric vehicles that are inclusive and accessible. Through its Ultium platform, General Motors can create several models of EVs with a flexible battery architecture. As a result, the company now offers electric versions of models like the Chevy Silverado, Cadillac ESCALADE and GMC Sierra.
NIO produces nine electric vehicle models, including its ES8 flagship SUV and the EP9, which the company boasts is “the fastest electric car in the world” as it set two lap records in 2017. NIO cars are available in China, and the company has begun to expand into Norway, Germany and the Netherlands as well. NIO also has an R&D center in San Jose, California.
Piaggio Fast Forward is the creator of Gita, an intuitive robot that pairs with people to help them transport goods wherever they go. Though not an electric car, Gita is fully rechargeable and uses machine vision technology to track movement and stay on course with the person it is paired with while possessing “pedestrian etiquette” capabilities to avoid people and obstacles.
Karma Automotive builds luxury electric vehicles — currently a sedan and super coupe. The Revero can travel up to 80 miles solely on electric power before a generator kicks in to provide another 280 miles of distance. Meanwhile, the Kaveya can reach maximum speeds of 180 miles per hour and possesses 1,000 horsepower. Karma Automotive has two more models — a four-seater and grand touring utility vehicle — on the way.
Volkswagen broke into the EV sector with the ID.4, which was released near the end of 2020. The company plans to expand its electric vehicle suite with the additions of an all-electric camper van in the ID. Buzz and an all-electric sedan in the ID.7. In partnership with Electrify America, Volkswagen has made its EVs compatible with home chargers, but these must be purchased separately from Volkswagen vehicles.
Rivian has an electric vehicle lineup that consists of three SUVs and a pickup truck. Each vehicle has an interior that’s “made from 100-percent animal-free materials” and battery packs that are easily recyclable, according to the company’s website. To supplement its home and on-the-go chargers, Rivian has made its vehicles compatible with Tesla Superchargers, giving users even more charging options when traveling.
Lightning eMotors specifically serves the logistics industry by manufacturing electric power systems for use in vans, buses, trucks and other vehicles. By developing state-of-the-art, zero-emissions technologies, Lightning eMotors helps organizations optimize their fleets both for energy conservation and efficiency. The company also offers its own EVs, including various passenger vehicle and truck models.
Lucid Motors aims to combine sustainability with luxury, developing smart electric vehicles equipped with the features of traditional luxury cars. Lucid Motors’ vehicles are capable of reaching 60 miles per hour in less than 2 seconds, and can complete 200 miles of charging in around 12 minutes. They also feature smart ecosystems that enable voice control, mobile connectivity and cutting-edge GPS technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading in electric vehicles?
Tesla is the electric vehicle leader in the United States, generating over 53 percent of U.S. EV sales. However, Chinese company BYD has outpaced Tesla in global EV sales, selling nearly 1.2 million EVs in the first half of 2023 alone.
Which companies make electric vehicles?
While Tesla remains a familiar name, other companies making electric vehicles now include Ford, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Chevrolet.
Who will be the biggest EV company?
According to market cap, Tesla is still the biggest EV company, with BYD coming in second. But BYD can be considered the largest company based on the number of EVs it has built, potentially challenging Tesla as the top EV manufacturer in the coming years.
Why are car companies going electric?
General public concern surrounding the environment and limiting carbon emissions has compelled car companies to develop electric models. The federal government and investors have also pushed for car companies to create more sustainable vehicles.
What car companies are not going electric?
Several car companies have yet to release an EV model. Aston Martin and Ferrari hope to release EVs soon, while Bentley and Bugatti have vague plans to introduce EVs at a later date.
