DrivingElectric.com, an electric-car consumer advice brand based in the U.K. surveyed 700 people to find out which electric vehicle names they were most familiar with. The results were… surprising. Scroll down to see the 16 vehicles that had brand awareness among those surveyed.
No. 16 – Smart EQ For Two
Photo courtesy of Smart
Mercedes-Benz has pulled its Smart brand out of the U.S. Its tiny all-electric model, the 2020 Smart EQ For TwoSmart is available as a convertible and a coupe, and offers 159 kilometers of New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) range. Just 45 precent of those surveyed had heard of the model.
No. 15 – Mercedes EQC
Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes EQC is the brand’s first modern all-electric vehicle, but just 55 percent of people surveyed have heard of it. The EQC is a two-row luxury SUV. It features all-wheel drive and delivers 402 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque. The model is powered by a 80kWh lithium ion battery. In late 2019, Mercedes announced that the EQC’s arrival in America would be delayed by a year.
No. 14 – Honda E
Photo courtesy of Honda Motor Europe Ltd.
The all-electric Honda E is not sold in the U.S. The three-door, all-electric urban car is just for the European and Japanese markets. It has a range of 220 km (137 mi) thanks to its 35.5-kWh lithium-ion battery. The model is relatively new to market, with 2020 being its first model year, which may account for its just 68 percent name recognition.
No. 13 – Peugeot e-208
Photo courtesy of PSA Group
More than two-thirds (71 percent) of those surveyed recognized the name of the Peugeot e-208, an all-electric city car that comes in sedan and hatchback variants. It was named the 2020 European Car of the Year, features 217 miles of driving range, and can recharge to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.
No. 12 – Volkswagen e-up!
Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG
The Volkswagen e-up! is one of the smallest models on this list and its only sold overseas. It’s a four-seater that offers 159 miles of range (WLTP), a minimalistic interior, and some fascia characteristics with the last-generation Volkswagen Golf. Just 77 percent of survey respondents recognized its name.
No. 11 – Vauxhall Corsa-e
Photo courtesy of Vauxhall
With 79 percent of respondents recognizing the name of this model, it’s earned middling recognition compared to other vehicles on this list. The Vauxhall Corsa-e gets its power from a 134 bhp motor and a 50-kWh lithium-ion battery. It delivers 211 miles of range (WLTP).
No. 10 (tie) – Hyundai Kona Electric, Renault Zoe, Audi E-Tron
Photo courtesy of Audi AG
Eighty-one percent of respondents recognized the names of the Hyundai Kona Electric, Renault Zoe, and Audi E-Tron. The Kona EV and E-Tron are sold in the U.S. while the Zoe is only sold overseas. Hyundai has given the Kona 258 miles of range, while the E-Tron has just 204, and the Zoe has up to 245 miles of range (WLTP).
No. 7 (tie) – Volkswagen e-Golf, MINI Electric
Photo courtesy of Volkswagen AG
The Volkswagen e-Golf and MINI Electric both have 85 percent name recognition. The e-Golf is no longer sold I the U.S. but it was on dealership lots for the last few years. The MINI Electric is sold in the U.S., has a range of 110 miles, and starts at $29,900.
No. 5 – BMW i3
Photo courtesy of BMW
Eighty-six percent of respondents said that they have heard of the BMW i3. The i3 went into production in 2013 and has won a number of awards including two World Car of the Year trophies. BMW has sold around 133,000 i3s globally, including 83,000 in Europe.
No. 4 – Tesla Model X
A majority of those surveyed (88 percent) have heard of the Tesla Model X. The Model X is the first SUV Tesla sold. It stands out from the crowd because of its seven-seat configuration and gull-wing doors.
No. 3 – Jaguar I-Pace
Photo courtesy of Jaguar
The Jaguar I-Pace went on sale in 2018 as the automaker’s first all-electric crossover. It was named the 2019 World Car of the Year, and won awards from the same voting group for Best Design and Best Green Car becoming the first vehicle to sweep those three awards. Eighty-nine percent of those surveyed are familiar with the I-Pace name.
No. 2 – Tesla Model S
Photo courtesy of Tesla
The Tesla Model S was introduced in 2012. When optimized for fuel efficiency, the Model S has a 390-mile range. Ninety-three percent of those surveyed recognized the car’s name.
No. 1 – Nissan Leaf
Photo courtesy of Nissan North America
More than 94 percent of respondents said they had heard of the Nissan Leaf. Nissan launched the Leaf in 2010 and has sold 450,000 of them since then. The Nissan Leaf offers up to 239 miles of range in the U.S. and is considered one of the most dependable cars you can buy.
