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The Hidden Future of Electric Vehicles: Catching the Next Wave of Electrified Models
As automotive manufacturers race toward a fully electric future, the market is brimming with new models in every segment. But as the EV landscape matures in 2026, many manufacturers are shifting their strategies away from mainstream options and focusing on electric versions of existing gasoline-powered classics, or creating entirely new segments.
From luxury supercars to budget-friendly microcars, these EVs aren’t for sale yet but are in various stages from concept to production—and perhaps a few may never see the light of day.
By Senior Auto CorrespondentUpdated: Apr 8, 2026
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future evs collage
The Manufacturers | Car and Driver
Electric cars are the future, and each year we’ve seen automakers add more EVs to their lineups. Everyone is working on electric vehicles, from well-established existing manufacturers to new names such as Lucid, Slate, and Rivian. We’ve compiled a list of every electric vehicle, from concept to production, that isn’t available yet but will be soon.
Alfa Romeo Giulia EV (Expected: 2028)
2023 alfa romeo giulia quadrifoglio drifting around a corner
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo has confirmed the gas-powered Giulia (seen above) will be revamped in the coming years with an electric powertrain. We expect the base version will make around 350 horsepower, while the Veloce will produce closer to 800 horsepower. The top-of-the-line Giulia will continue to carry the historic Quadrifoglio name and should make upward of 1000 horsepower. The new Giulia will be produced on the Stellantis Group’s STLA Large platform, with 800-volt, ultra-rapid charging and a range of up to 500 miles. Recent rumors suggest the Giulia, like the Dodge Charger, will also be offered with combustion engines. —Jack Fitzgerald
What This Means for You: If you’re loyal to the Alfa Romeo brand and waiting for an electric alternative, you might be in luck. However, the rumored combustion engine option for the Giulia suggests a potential internal struggle within Alfa Romeo between preserving its combustion-engine legacy and embracing a full-electric future. If you’re determined to buy an electric sedan now, you may need to look at competitors like the Audi A6 e-tron or Lucid Air.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio EV (Expected: 2027)
2027 alfa romeo stelvio
Illustration by Avarvarii | Car and Driver
Before the next-generation Giulia arrives, Alfa Romeo will launch a new Stelvio. Like Alfa’s upcoming sedan, the Stelvio will ride on the STLA Large platform and come with both electric and hybrid powertrains. The electric SUV has been delayed, however, and isn’t likely to arrive in the United States until 2027.
Best Financial Strategies Right Now (2026): The delay for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio EV pushes its arrival into the increasingly competitive electric SUV market. If you are looking for an electric premium SUV and don’t want to wait until 2027, current options like the 2026 BMW iX3 or 2026 Lexus RZ 450e may be more viable. However, if you can afford to wait and want a uniquely styled electric SUV, placing a refundable deposit on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio EV could be a strategic play.
Alpine EVs (Expected: 2030)
alpine a390
Alpine
Alpine, the French subsidiary of Renault known for lightweight sports cars, plans to enter the U.S. market later this decade. The charge was originally set to be spearheaded by the compact A390, a slinky fastback crossover with a 470-hp tri-motor powertrain, but the plans have changed. The U.S. launch of Alpine’s EVs was originally set for 2027, but the introduction of high tariffs on imported cars by the Trump administration has caused Alpine to delay its plans. If Alpine does enter the U.S. market, the company now says it will do so with the upcoming A110 electric sports car and a larger SUV.
Should You Buy, Wait, or Rent/Invest?: Waiting for Alpine in the U.S. is a risky bet. Tariffs have plagued the entry of luxury foreign EVs into the American market, and the current political climate suggests the issue may persist. If you are a die-hard fan of Alpine’s heritage in motorsports and lightweight engineering, you might wait, but many U.S. buyers will opt for the 2026 BMW iX3 instead of waiting for Alpine’s electric comeback.
Audi TT EV (Expected: 2027)
audi concept c
Audi
Audi plans to launch a new electric sports car in 2027, previewed by the radical Concept C. Audi says the new sports car, which is roughly the same length as a Porsche 911, will sit somewhere between the TT and R8 in terms of performance and will usher in a new design language. Inside, the Concept C shows Audi embracing a return to physical controls, and the concept even features a screen that can completely tuck away when not in use. Details on the powertrain remain sparse, but the Concept C was designed as rear-wheel drive, and we expect it to share a platform with the upcoming Porsche 718 EV. Audi has confirmed that the production car will also offer a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive variant as well, and the RWD concept is said to weigh 3726 pounds.
Cost Breakdown/Pricing Impact: Since the Audi TT EV is still in the concept phase, there are no official prices. However, as Audi is looking to fill the void left by the TT and R8, the TT EV is expected to be positioned at the higher end of Audi’s EV lineup. This positions it in the high-end sports car segment, with likely premium pricing to match its specialized performance.
Bentley EV SUV (Expected: 2027)
bentley exp 15 concept
Bentley
Bentley’s first EV will be revealed in 2026, and the luxury automaker is calling it a \”luxury urban SUV\” that will slot below the gas-powered Bentayga in the luxury automaker’s lineup. Although Bentley calls the EV \”compact,\” the new model will still carry imposing proportions, measuring up to 197 inches long. A concept car called the EXP 15 previews the Bentley EV’s styling, with a bold, squared-off front end, a long hood, and a decadent cabin. The electric SUV may use the same platform as the upcoming Porsche Cayenne EV, and sales of the Bentley EV should kick off in early 2027. Based on trademark filings, we think it will be called the Barnato, after one of Bentley’s racers and executives from the 1920s. Plans for additional Bentley EVs have been pushed back until at least 2030.
Mistakes to Avoid That Could Cost You Money: Don’t assume this will be an affordable luxury option. The “compact” description belies the substantial dimensions, and it will be priced to sit below the gas-powered Bentayga, but that’s still a stratospheric figure in the EV market.
BMW i3 (Expected: Late 2026)
2027 bmw i3
BMW
The BMW i3 arrives as an electric sibling to the long-running BMW 3-Series, wearing BMW’s new design language and riding on the same Neue Klasse platform that supports the iX3 SUV. An 800-volt architecture allows for 400-kW fast-charging, while the 109-kWh battery is said to provide an estimated 440 miles of range. The i3 will launch with one trim, the 50 xDrive, to start, sending 463 hp and 476 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. There’s also a radical new interior layout featuring a thin display that runs along the base of the windshield and a trapezoidal central touchscreen. Sales of the i3 are set to begin before the end of 2026.
BMW i3 vs 2026 BMW 330i: A Realistic Comparison
When evaluating the new 2026 BMW i3 against the classic gasoline 2026 BMW 330i xDrive, you are choosing between a new era of performance and the tried-and-true luxury feel of combustion. The gasoline 330i xDrive offers a starting MSRP of $46,700 and is known for its engaging driving dynamics, which are powered by a 2.0-liter turbo-four delivering 255 horsepower. The i3, positioned as the electric counterpart, will naturally command a higher price and come with a 463-horsepower dual-motor system that should provide a far quicker 0-to-60 mph time.
Where Should You Put Your Money?: If you are looking for a new BMW electric sedan right now, you should compare the new BMW i3 with the upcoming BMW i5. The i5 is positioned as a larger, more premium luxury sedan, whereas the i3 is more compact and budget-friendly.
BMW iM3 (Expected: 2027)
bmw im3
BMW
The upcoming BMW i3 will also spawn the first all-electric M3. The iM3, as we expect it to be called, will
