6 next-gen electric vehicles taking on Tesla

UpdatedWed, September 30, 2015 at 4:30 PM UTC

By Cat DiStasio

Tesla tears up the headlines like nobody's business. The California-based company makes the most widely coveted luxury electric vehicle in existence, and it just officially launched its next car, the Model X, last night. The automaker has garnered attention from car enthusiasts, green technology fans and even those with budgets too small to pay for a single Tesla hubcap. Even the consumer buying guides love Tesla's cars. The company might be the best and biggest dog in the fight for the moment, but that could change. In the coming years, more than a handful of carmakers are getting into the electric-vehicle game to entice would-be Tesla owners to spend their hard-earned dollars elsewhere. Read on for a look at the upcoming EVs that could give Elon Musk & co. a run for their money.

Aston Martin Rapide EV

Although some auto manufacturers are being tight-lipped about the timelines for their electric vehicles, Aston Martin has confirmed the all-electric version of its Rapide sedan will be for sale as soon as 2017, timed perfectly with the release of the longer-range Tesla.

While Tesla is sure to kill Aston Martin in the mileage department, the British luxury carmaker hopes to wow potential customers with sheer power, paired with over a hundred years' worth of reputation for style and performance. The Aston Martin EV will outprice virtually all its competitors, but some will say it's a small price to pay for a distinctive electric supercar.

**Expected range:** 200 miles

**Target price:** $200,000 - $250,000

**Release date:** 2017

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is arguably the most affordable electric car on the market, and sales skyrocketed after its initial release. Although the 2016 model has a range of only 107 miles, the automaker is developing a prototype said to travel up to 310 miles on a single charge. What the Nissan Leaf lacks in style and luxury, it makes up for with its low price and incredible efficiency, making it an electric vehicle that actually fits into the lifestyle of a regular person.

Sales of the Leaf are expected to fall this year as several states allow tax credits to expire, but the increased range of future models may entice people to take the plunge anyway.

**Expected range:** 310 miles

**Target price:** $29,000

**Release date:** 2017-2018

Audi Q6 e-tron SUV

As the only sport utility vehicles on this list, the Audi Q6 e-tron aims to compete directly with Tesla's Model X, which just launched yesterday. The luxury SUV market is tight, especially where eco-friendly models are concerned, so the competition from Audi will be stiff. The hotly anticipated Q6 e-tron actually has three separate motors: one for the front axle and two others in the rear. In addition, the design and positioning of the battery give it a lower center of gravity than most SUVs, lending to its superb handling and luxury feel. No price has been announced, so we'll have to stay tuned to find out what else Audi has in store for its first all-electric SUV.

**Expected range:** 310 miles

**Target price:** TBD

**Release date:** 2018

Mercedes-Benz EV

The designers at Mercedes-Benz have had their eye on Tesla's Model S for some time, and the German company is inching closer to making its move. The luxury automaker unveiled a transforming concept car at the Frankfort Motor Show this month, and it's planning to launch an EV that will be "unique" and "emotional," according to a board member.

This won't be the first electric offering from Mercedes, though. The carmaker has already launched the B-Class, a compact sport coupe and the even more compact Smart ForTwo electric vehicle. The newly released concept car shows Mercedes is ready to step up its game with a direct competitor to Tesla's best-seller. We can't wait to see it.

**Expected range:** 250-310 miles

**Target price:** TBD

**Release date:** 2018

Porsche Mission E

Porsche is known for fast, sleek turbo machines, and the upcoming Mission E is no exception. The company's electric vehicle concept car debuted earlier this month at the Frankfort Motor Show, proving that the long-awaited offering will deliver just as much style and pizzazz as the company's non-electric autos. The Mission E is said to charge up to 80 percent in just 15 minutes, making it a rather convenient alternative to Tesla, which takes about 40 minutes to top up at a Supercharger station. Porsche hasn't announced a production plan, but rumors suggest the Mission E could be on the road in less than five years.

**Expected range:** 310 miles

**Target price:** TBD

**Release date:** 2019 (unconfirmed)

Thunder Power EV

It might seem unlikely that a Taiwan-based maker of power tools would launch the next Tesla rival, but here it comes. Thunder Power's electric car is a stunning, sexy challenger to the Model S with impressive muscle under the hood. The Thunder Power EV will reportedly accelerate to 62MPH in less than five seconds, with a top speed of 155MPH, all while looking like something you'd expect a rock star to step out of at a red carpet event. Lean and mean, this competitively priced ride could blow Tesla out of the water when it hits the road in two years.

**Expected range:** 373 miles

**Target price:** $63,000

**Release date:** 2017

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Aston Martin Rapide EV

Although some auto manufacturers are being tight-lipped about the timelines for their electric vehicles, Aston Martin has confirmed the all-electric version of its Rapide sedan will be for sale as soon as 2017, timed perfectly with the release of the longer-range Tesla.

While Tesla is sure to kill Aston Martin in the mileage department, the British luxury carmaker hopes to wow potential customers with sheer power, paired with over a hundred years' worth of reputation for style and performance. The Aston Martin EV will outprice virtually all its competitors, but some will say it's a small price to pay for a distinctive electric supercar.

Expected range: 200 miles

Target price: $200,000 - $250,000

Release date: 2017

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