With gas prices spiking the world over, there’s been increased talk about how countries can become less dependent on oil (and oil imports) and steer themselves towards alternative sources of energy. 

As luck would have it, the situation has offered a larger window of opportunity for electric vehicles, or EV, an industry that has fortunately already made many in-roads with consumers. Four bestselling brands of electric car models, listed below, are worth taking a note of for their popularity and innovation.  

Tesla Model Y: The all-electric vehicle is an environmental upgrade from the S-Model because it has eliminated the use of chrome. Chrome is not only ecologically unsustainable, but it also has been linked to health problems in chrome factory workers. Something to note is that the handles on the car are recyclable. Another great thing is that the body is not entirely covered in paint, which helps avoid environmentally harmful fumes.  

Tesla Model 3: According to a study out of Eindhoven University of Technology, the Model 3 will emit 65 per cent less carbon than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Per mile, the Model 3 emits 60 per cent less CO2 than a typical non-electric car. Tesla also recycles batteries that help cut emissions in the battery-making process.

Ford Mustang Mach-E: This car has been given maximum safety and green ratings from both Euro NCAP and Green NCAP. It’s a fully electric car, just like the Tesla models, and received full marks on the Clean Air and Emissions test. As for the price factor, it costs about $5,000 less than the Tesla 3, though it gets about thirty miles less range per charge.

Volkswagen ID.4: Named “World Car of the Year,” one of the requirements for this award is to be more affordable than luxury cars, which makes the ID.4 more accessible. 

The design is more eco-forward. Rather than trying to make electric cars feel just like combustion engine cars, Volkswagen ID.4’s dash is much more like Tesla’s. It’s all electric, and it feels like it too. Volkswagen also offers free fast charging stations, which can be located by drivers through an app. 

Tesla and Volkswagen appear to be rapidly upgrading and updating their technology, while Ford and Chevy are trying to update their fleet with new, electric technology, rather than reinventing the wheel (pardon the pun). 

All their electric car models are smaller than their combustion engine counterparts, which also has a positive impact on the environment. Battery recycling will be a big plus for those wanting to have sustainable cars, since battery manufacturing is extremely emissions heavy. 

And finally, the sticker price will be a moot issue for most, as the more affordable these cars are, the more people will buy them and the greater impact they will have. Hopefully in coming years, like with any new innovation, the costs will still decrease over time.

Dave Gordon | Contributing Writer