Discover more
With everything from a classic all-electric Mini to driverless Jaguars and Nelson Piquet Jr. driving through the streets in a Formula E car, the New York auto show has been the epicentre of all things electric for the past week. After sifting through the crowds and concept cars, here's our selection of the best EVs and electric action from the US of A.
Formula E and Nelson Piquet Jr. opening the show
Okay, so we're bound to put this one front and centre but when Panasonic Jaguar Racing's Nelson Piquet Jr. jumped behind the wheel of our Formula E car and drove it through the streets of Manhattan, it caused quite a stir. Leading the way in an all-electric vehicle parade through the city centre, Piquet Jr's drive marked the opening of the auto show, alongside the news that tickets are now on sale for the 2018 Qatar Airways New York City E-Prix.
Waymo partners with Jaguar
After Jaguar launched its first all-electric car less than a month ago at the Geneva motor show, it seems the British carmaker is already plotting to overthrow its owners with self-driving technology. Partnering up with Waymo - the self-driving project powered by the boffins at Google - the arrangement will see 20,000 all-electric I-Paces added to Waymo's fleet of autonomous taxis. But, before you go hailing one down, the cars aren't expected to hit the streets until 2020, when they'll be operating as part of Waymo’s soon-to-be-launched ride-hailing service.
Genesis Essentia
So, it's safe to say the designers at Genisis - the luxury car division of Hyundai - have been working overtime to produce this, the Essentia - the marque's first electric concept performance car. Made from a super-lightweight, carbonfibre monocoque body, the Essentia relies on a battery-powered motor to get it to 96km/h (60 mph) in just 3 seconds. With a transparent bonnet, seamless glass cockpit and two butterfly doors, that open at the touch of a finger or a face -responding to both fingerprints and facial recognition - the Essentia is a stunning step into the future for the brand. With no word on production, expect elements of the Essentia concept to feature on future Genisis production cars.
Classic Electric Mini
Mini - the fun-loving British brand within BMW's portfolio - caught everyone off guard during the show with the reveal of its new (or is it old?) classic fully electric Mini. Despite its polished retro looks and bright red paint job, BMW say it won't be sold anytime soon. Instead, the fully-electric version paves the way for the arrival of a new production EV in 2019. Watch this space.
In other news... Aeromobil revealed a flying taxi
Outside the halls of the New York auto show, Slovakian company AeroMobil launched the 5.0 VTL Concept - a fully electric flying car with retractable wings. The hybrid plane-car has two electrically driven rotors, which mean its capable taking-off vertically. With four seats, the vehicle is designed to operate as a flying taxi, combining autonomous flight with driving capabilities. With a limited production run starting in 2020, AeroMobil plan to sell its flying car to private owners around the world. Traffic proving too much? This one's for you.