For years now, the auto industry has been working to offer consumers an alternative to gasoline engines. Environmental concerns regarding C0-2 emissions led to the rise of stricter regulations in the late 2000s which pressured auto makers to build fuel-savings models of cars. The result from these regulations were mostly limited to smaller vehicles such as the Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf. These smaller vehicle offerings unfortunately failed to gain broader appeal and sales have remained relatively low.
On the other hand, in the past year more than 70% of all U.S car sales came from SUVs, crossovers, and pickups, causing automakers to restructure their plans for electric vehicles. While once limited to smaller models, improved EV technology is "enabling car companies to build more powerful battery packs that can move larger vehicles and provide more travel range on a single charge." This improved EV technology is the driving force behind the shift to larger electric vehicles.
In 2019, consumers only had 38 models of plug-in hybrid and battery electric SUVs to choose from. By 2022 consumers will have 78 models to choose from, including electrified versions of popular nameplates such as the Jeep Wrangler, Ford F-150 and the Toyota RAV4.