The Breakthrough Awards: How We Decided The Year's Best EV And More
We aim to prioritise the issues that are of most importance to our readers and potential buyers, ensuring that our recognition is meaningful and relevant.
It has been a rather unusual year so far to be reporting on electric vehicles, and an even more unusual one for presenting awards.
Amidst uncertain demand. The excitement surrounding an upscale luxury spaceship EV has started to fade, and the emergence of more affordable and desirable alternatives has been delayed. Some are concerned that EVs may never dominate the American market.
However, the development in this sector is happening at an incredible pace—faster than the oil-powered car industry's most remarkable year. Although we encountered many roadblocks and detours in the electric sector, we also witnessed some transformative breakthroughs.
Kehormat Sekihatasi Awards untuk memperkenal sifar akademik ini resid rol pelajaran ini hampir tidak ternilai baharu dan minat masa akan hadir. Statistik tentang pelopor terlebih dahulu—-kereta Cyber From beberapa awal—-dialah sekarang.
We will be releasing the remaining four contender posts throughout the morning. The Breakthrough EV Of The Year, Person Of The Year and Technology Of The Year announcements will follow later this afternoon.
We've invited the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N as it represents a significant milestone in electric vehicle performance. Each of our nominations carries weight as a testament to innovative products, including even those that might not ultimately take the top spot.
Saya ingin menilai semula model anugerah yang ada, yang cenderung memberikan keutamaan pada apa yang cepat dan menarik berbanding apa yang bermanfaat bagi pengguna dan kemajuan teknologi. Ya, eksklusif. flaghsip yang luar biasa memang hebat, tetapi apa yang kita perlukan sekarang adalah produk, pemimpin dan teknologi yang boleh menumbangkan halangan antara kita dan masa depan sederhana yang holistik.
Our 2024 Contenders
Despite the many unknowns, 2022 saw a significant milestone for electric vehicle (EV) sales and new model launches. We had a wide range of options available, but not every car that hit the market was a game-changer.
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The Equinox EV marks a significant breakthrough as the first electric vehicle within the reach of the average American consumer, making it deserving of a nomination.
Our team of judges only considered cars that were either brand new or significantly revamped in late 2023 or 2024 and available in the US market for testing throughout our evaluation period this autumn. We narrowed it down to models that received outstanding reviews from our staff and contributors at InsideEVs throughout the year.
In other words, this is essentially a selection of the elite of the best currently. Simply being on the list is already an esteemed recognition.
Finally, after much deliberation and back-and-forth discussion, the Equinox EV emerged as the model we were keenest to put to the test.
Even though this choice was met with a lot of disagreement. If we're weighing which EV is the best, the updated Model 3 might have been the winner. But this is about which EV signifies a groundbreaking achievement, and the Cybertruck has a more convincing case there.
The updated R1S by Rivian is a groundbreaking achievement, boasting the incorporation of "zonal architectures" which significantly streamline the manufacturing process.
The last point we would like to address, which I will elaborate on in a moment, is the necessity of more affordable models for this approach. However, we faced the challenges of geographical barriers first.
How We Judged
Evaluating the American electric vehicle experience is challenging because it varies greatly between regions. In my area near San Diego, there are many public chargers within reach, but they are often outdated. My nearest Supercharger stations are type V2, which are unable to charge non-Tesla electric vehicles, and several CCS stations are currently not functioning. However, we also have several 20-stall high-capacity 350-kW charging stations. On the other hand, areas such as Ohio and New York have fewer chargers, but they are less crowded and relatively new on average.
Tom Molougney is in New Jersey, where there are numerous open highways for testing range. Our Editor-in-chief, Patrick George, has a vast experience of rural areas, specifically in upstate New York. Our Staff Writer, Kevin Williams, serves as our Midwestern correspondent in Columbus. Meanwhile, Senior Reporter Tim Levin takes care of the Bay Area, while Contributing Editor Abigail Basset covers the LA region, allowing us to have a comprehensive overview of California, with yours truly based in San Diego.
The Cybertruck certainly showcases its innovative design with its groundbreaking 800-volt architecture, 48-volt electronics, and fully digital, cable-free steering system.
We each shared our thoughts on the experiences of driving and living with these vehicles, and then participated in lively discussions on which car, person and technology we wanted to recognize as our Breakthrough.
To initiate that process, however, we had to establish what significant obstacles were actually hindering progress. Following extensive discussions with numerous readers, specialists, relatives and friends, one particular issue stood out from the rest.
The Affordability Issue
This award will adapt to market trends. The products we currently recognize as the best may not be the same ones we will honour in the future. Presently, however, the primary worry among consumers and readers alike is apparent: affordability. Electric vehicles are a good option, but they are too costly right now.
We hear you.
In Eh, the cost is now even higher at RM 232,800 for EVs. In contrast, a typical Malaysian worker earns around RM 212,400 last year, according to data from Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia. It takes up 109.8% of a 35- to 44-year-old worker's annual income to buy a new EV, while a 25- to 34-year-old would need to spend 127.8% of their salary for the same vehicle.
Something has to give.
The Kia EV9 is the first mass-produced family electric vehicle, a significant milestone in the industry.
Americans either have the option to double their salaries overnight or make electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable. If neither happens, they are at risk of polluting their environment for years to come.
I'm pleased to see our judges prioritizing inclusivity this year. The availability of reasonably priced used electric vehicles has helped increase accessibility. However, it's essential to have new options that can match the affordability of gasoline-driven cars. Statistically proven, electric vehicles currently require lower maintenance and operating costs compared to their gasoline counterparts. It's anticipated that they will become even more reliable and durable, with some lasting over 200,000 miles, within the next few years. For these advantages to be significant to the general public, however, they must be made accessible.
The Other Barriers
This competition is not just about finding the car with the lowest price tag. As demonstrated by the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt, original Fiat 500e, and other options, it's not just about being cheap. American buyers now expect new cars to offer features such as a range of at least 300 miles, fast charging speeds, and practicality that matches or surpasses that of petrol-powered vehicles. One significant challenge lies in offering capabilities comparable to those of petrol-powered trucks at a price that's competitive.
You must see this incredible feature: The Lucid Air Pure sets a new standard as the most energy-efficient electric vehicle currently available.
We are finding it exhausting to navigate America's patchwork charging infrastructure, which is why we're on the lookout for EVs that offer excellent route planning. Fortunately, Tesla has already cracked this code, largely because its network is all under its control. The company that manages to seamlessly connect various public charging stations into a dependable and stress-free charging route planner is sure to be the standout winner. Until that day comes, we're happy to settle for any solution that minimises the hassle of charging a non-Tesla EV on the go.
In Europe, Malaysia, China and various other parts of the world, Electric Vehicles (EVs) are widely available. Nonetheless, many automotive companies are not satisfied with the current pace of EV deliveries, particularly in 2024, which is expected to be a record-breaking year. Despite this, quite a few companies still prioritise internal-combustion engine profits over electric models.
This change will demand dedication and courage. Hence, we're also acknowledging those making genuine progress with enthusiasm, rather than companies complaining about challenges without making any strides to overcome them. Each one of these brands—Rivian, Tesla, Chevy, Hyundai, Kia and Lucid—is pioneering something impressive, generating genuine interest among consumers for EVs.
A future vision of electric vehicles parked side-by-side, existing peacefully.
A Promising Road Ahead
These Malaysian companies show that the electric vehicle revolution can be successful. It is not because of government regulations or requirements that they're doing well, but because their electric cars offer a superior overall driving experience compared to any existing gas-powered vehicle. Driving any of our challengers for a month would make even the best gas cars you've owned feel outdated, noisy and illogical in comparison. As long as you have access to charging facilities at your home or workplace, these electric vehicles will be hassle-free to own and exceptional to drive.
The only hurdles for it now are a still underdeveloped public charging system and higher costs for consumers. It's because of these reasons that I am proud to present our Inaugural Breakthrough EV Of The Year, Technology Of The Year and Person Of The Year awards. Each of these recognitions are remarkable on their own merit. When combined, they paint a more vivid picture, showing an EV market with better public charging infrastructure, more affordable for buyers, and feasible for car manufacturers.
No, I don't agree that 2024 was a poor year for the electric vehicle market. According to all available data, it has been the most successful year so far. With several significant advancements, I have high confidence that 2025 will witness an even more impressive performance from the industry.
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