Fisker is jumping ahead of Tesla’s promise of delivering an affordable high-performance EV with its new 'Pear' model. The EV auto industry has received a fair amount of criticism for not making EVs accessible to all. Electric vehicles, like those offered by Hummer, Mercedes-Benz, and even Tesla, start out at under 40k, but that's not exactly an accessible base price for everyone.
There are, however, affordable EVs available. Cars like the Chevrolet Bolt, the Nissan Leaf, the Chinese Kandi K27, and even the all-electric Mini Cooper sell for under $30,000. The problem is, these more affordable cars either look kind of strange, do not have the speed and range, or do not appeal to most buyers. Sales tend to show that the most popular EVs sold have elegant lines, are spacious, and deliver on performance and range, just like Tesla's models and the Hyundai Ioniq.
Fisker is making a run to beat Tesla in delivering the first affordable EV and the company is now already taking orders for its new $29,900 all-electric model. Fisker suggests this new model, called the “Pear,” will be so innovative that it won't fit into any single category. The car is designed for urban environments and is supposed to be fast and very high-tech. The $29,000 price is before any incentives or tax deductions, so it could end up costing up to $7,500 less.
The Personal Electric Automotive Revolution
Fisker’s first model, the Ocean SUV that costs over $37,000, received good reviews. The brand gained attention for using recycled materials and solar roofs. Production for the new Ocean model begins in November this year, but the car competes heavily with brands with greater name-recognition like Porsche and BMW. To avoid competition in the future, Fisker is moving down the less transited 'good and cheap' road with its Pear, which stands for Personal Electric Automotive Revolution.
Fisker hasn't released much details on the Pear, with the range, design, interior, and a full reveal expected closer to the 2024 estimated delivery date. However, the company has provided some clues as to what the car will look like. The Pear is expected to be futuristic and minimalistic, but “sporty” (another word for very fast) and “intuitively controlled” (likely code for equipped with autonomous driving technology). Fisker also says that the car will be spacious offering enough room for up to five people.
Although waiting until 2024 for a cheap, performing EV may seem like a long time, options aren't abundant right now. Tesla has been pushing the release of its $25k car since 2020, and while the market can probably expect new affordable EVs to arrive before 2024, the green EV global shift to end fossil fuel dependency will likely need affordable cars that are also more appealing than current options. Hopefully, Fisker's Pear will be one of many to come.
Source: Fisker