We endeavored to avoid simply conferring credibility on what’s trendy or captivating. In contrast, we aimed to concentrate on the issue that matters most to our audience, both readers and buyers.
It has been a peculiar year to be reporting on electric vehicles, and an even more unusual one to be presenting awards.
The excitement of high-end luxury electric vehicles has started to fade due to uneven market demand. The subsequent offering of more affordable and desirable models has not yet arrived, leading to concerns whether electric vehicles will ever dominate the American market.
The industry is experiencing rapid growth – much faster than the internal combustion engine sector at its peak. Although there were periods of stagnation and setbacks in the electric sector, there were also remarkable advancements.
Breakthrough Awards, showcasing the significant advancements we’ve witnessed this year and the major changes on the horizon. The story on our first contender, the Tesla Cybertruck, is now available.
Please provide the text you’d like me to paraphrase.
I wanted to reevaluate the current awards model, which tends to emphasize speed and novelty over what benefits consumers and drives technological advancement. As exciting as high-end flagships are, we’ve already seen those achievements. What we need now are products, leaders, and technologies that break down barriers and pave the way for a truly sustainable future.
Our 2024 Contenders
For all that uncertainty, this was a landmark year for both EV sales and models hitting the market. We had a significant number of cars to choose from, but not all of them could be described as “breakthroughs.”
.
Our group of judges focused on vehicles that were either brand new or significantly revamped late in 2023 or early in 2024, with these models being currently on sale in the United States and available for testing throughout the evaluation process, which started this fall.
In other words, this is a test of the elite among the best at the moment. Even being selected is a privilege.
However, there’s no original text to work with. Please provide the original text you’d like me to paraphrase, and I’ll be happy to assist you with the translation into International English.
Although that decision was not made without a lot of deliberation. If we were to evaluate which electric vehicle is superior, the updated Model 3 could have come out on top. However, this is about identifying what represents a significant innovation, and the Cybertruck has a much more striking case.
Lastly, and as I will discuss in more detail shortly, we prioritized more budget-friendly options for this process. Nevertheless, we initially faced the challenge of geography.
How We Judged
It’s challenging to assess the American EV experience at a single location, as it greatly varies from one market to another. Next to my residence in San Diego, public charging stations are abundant, but many are outdated. The closest Superchargers I have access to are V2s that are incompatible with non-Tesla EVs, and numerous CCS stations are inoperable. However, we also have giant charging stations with 20 stalls that can operate at 350 kilowatts. On the other hand, in Ohio and New York, there are fewer charging points available, but they tend to be less congested and relatively newer on average.
Tom Molougney is in New Jersey, where there are many open highways suitable for range testing. Editor-in-Chief Patrick George has a rural area experience in upstate New York. Meanwhile, Staff Writer Kevin Williams is based in Columbus, covering the Midwest, and Senior Reporter Tim Levin, as well as Contributing Editor Abigail Basset, have the West Coast, specifically the Bay Area and the LA Area, respectively, well covered, while I cover the San Diego area.
We each documented our observations on driving and coexisting with these vehicles, then participated in a lively Zoom discussion to decide which car, person, and technology we wanted to acknowledge as our “Breakthrough”.
To accomplish that, we first needed to identify the substantial obstacles hindering progress. After gathering input from numerous readers, subject matter experts, loved ones, and acquaintances, one particular obstacle emerged as the most significant.
The Affordability Issue
This award will adapt to the changing market. The features and products we acknowledge today will not be the same in 5 years. Presently, what matters most to buyers and readers alike is the cost. Electric vehicles are beneficial, but unfortunately, they are still too pricey.
We hear you.
That’s an extreme stretch, but the figure is even higher for EVs, reaching $56,902. For individuals with earnings, the US census data shows a median income of $50,310 as of last year. To put this into perspective, a working adult aged 35 to 44 would need to spend 94% of their annual income on a new EV. Alternatively, a young adult aged 25 to 34 would have to pay a staggering 112% of their income for the same vehicle.
Something has to give.
We have two options: Americans could see their pay summarily doubled, or electric vehicles must become more affordable. Otherwise, we risk contaminating our air and water for multiple generations.
This year, I’m proud of our judges’ commitment to making things more accessible to everyone. In fact, affordable used electric vehicles have made it easier for many people to consider them as an option. To truly unlock their potential, though, new EVs need to be affordable, comparable to gas-powered cars in terms of cost. Electric vehicles are already more cost-effective to own and operate compared to gas cars. In the near future, I’m confident that they will become even more reliable and last longer – in excess of 200,000 miles – if maintain consistently. For either of these benefits to be relevant, however, EVs need to be accessible.
The Other Barriers
This competition isn’t just a simple case of “the cheapest car wins.” While models like the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt, original Fiat 500e have shown that low prices aren’t guarantees of success, especially if they don’t deliver the expected benefits. American buyers now expect their electric vehicles to offer the following: a minimum distance of around or over 300 miles between charges, decent charging speeds, practical design, and features comparable to, or even superior to, those found in internal combustion engine vehicles. For instance, replicating the capabilities of an internal combustion engine truck at a competitive price, remains a significant challenge.
Navigating America’s fragmented charging infrastructure is a complex issue, which is why we’re searching for EVs with advanced route planning capabilities. Although Tesla has solved this problem to some extent, thanks to its owned and operated network, other companies face a more significant challenge. The company that can successfully integrate various charging providers into a reliable and stress-free charge planner will likely be a leader in this field. Until that happens, we’ll settle for any solution that makes charging a non-Tesla electric vehicle less frustrating.
In Europe, in China and in most places they’re sold. More EVs will be delivered in 2024 than ever before. Nonetheless, this isn’t sufficient for many companies, who are so entrenched in internal-combustion profit margins that they frankly would prefer not to make the effort.
This change requires courage. So, we’re also recognizing those pioneering companies that are genuinely enthusiastic and striving for excellence in the future, rather than simply complaining about the challenges without taking action to solve them. Each one of these brands—Rivian, Tesla, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, and Lucid—is developing something truly commendable that can genuinely excite consumers about electric vehicles.
A Promising Road Ahead
These companies show that the EV revolution can be a success. Not because of regulations or mandates, but because the electric cars offer a superior overall driving experience than any gasoline-powered automobile. A month driving one of our contenders would make even the best gasoline car you’ve driven feel outdated, noisy, and compares poorly.
Their only weakness is a still-evolving public charging infrastructure and high entry costs. That’s why I’m so proud to recognize our inaugural awards for Breakthrough EV of the Year, Technology of the Year, and Person of the Year. All three represent impressive individual achievements. Together, though, they showcase an even more complete picture. They depict an EV market that is more open to consumers, better prepared for widespread public charging, and, crucially, remains viable for automakers.
No, I don’t agree that 2024 was a disappointing year for the electric vehicle market. By any measure, it’s the most successful year to date. With so many positive developments, I’m confident that 2025 will bring an even more impressive lineup.
