4 Up & Coming UK Electric Car Companies to Keep an Eye on
Here are some UK based electric car companies we think you'll be hearing more about soon.
As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular, it stands to reason that the companies responsible for making them will too. Traditional car brands are household names, but how many specific electric car companies, other than Tesla, can you name?
Read on and learn about four electric car companies which we think could become big names in the industry in the coming years.
Arrival
Whilst this is a challenging time for electric vehicle start-ups, Arrival is an integrated electric vehicle company that understands the need to reduce harmful global emissions. That’s why this Bicester-based brand has developed an electric car, van, and bus - the company even produced the first battery-electric van from one of its UK factories.
In terms of technology, Arrival hopes to reinvent the design of electric vehicles to encourage sustainability. This means creating a ‘transportation ecosystem’ of vehicles which are affordable and prioritising user experience.
Arrival’s vehicles are made from durable and recyclable materials, with the company viewing the vehicles as ‘devices on wheels’ which can improve performance.
The prototype for the Arrival Car has been unveiled - a vehicle designed with ‘ride hail’ drivers in mind. Designed to withstand heavy mileage, the Arrival Car offers enhanced safety and comfort.
Arrival is changing the game when it comes to production methods - not to mention that the same technology and components are used on each vehicle they produce.
However, Arrival has had to postpone plans over the last few years to truly realise its goals. Currently, their focus is on production of the Arrival Van. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for this ambitious brand.
Riversimple
Founded in England in 2001 and currently based in Wales, electric car company Riversimple aims to produce zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered vehicles. They consider the potential environmental impact of transport at every stage of the process, from the designs to the way the business itself is run.
After more than a decade of development, prototypes of the Riversimple Rasa are now on the road. The Rasa is designed with local journeys in mind, with the company hoping to have created an affordable vehicle that does not produce excess air pollution.
Plus, the hydrogen fuel cell technology and the aerodynamic design make it incredibly efficient. These vehicles emit only water, and the refill process can take as little as three minutes.
Riversimple plans to release these vehicles in small numbers at first, targeting commercial fleets and government and retail customers. The date has not been announced yet, but there has been talk of a release in late 2022. The Rasa is not intended to be bought, but it will eventually be available on subscription in the hope that this will be a simpler transport option for customers.
As recently as May 2022, Riversimple unveiled new designs for a van and sedan, so there are sure to be more developments in the coming years - this is an electric car company to keep an eye on.
YASA
Though electric car company YASA was founded back in 2009, it wasn’t until 2018 that the company opened an e-motor and controller serial production facility near Oxford. Using Axial Flux technology, Oxford-based electric motor brand YASA intends to revolutionise the electric car industry when it comes to electric motors and controllers.
Believing that small yet powerful electric motors make a difference when it comes to meeting emissions targets, YASA has gone on to supply some of the leading OEMs with innovative powertrain solutions.
As a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, YASA has provided electric motors to the famous car brand. YASA recognises the growing desire for efficient fully electric vehicles, and continues to develop unique motor technology that can improve driver experience and vehicle range, all at an affordable price.
With big names like Rolls Royce wanting to partner with them on an aviation electrification project, and Ferrari choosing them to produce their next hybrid supercar, there is hardly any doubt that YASA is on the up.
Zenobe Energy
With a global headquarters based in London, Zenobe Energy is on a mission to provide clean power around the world. As the leading owner and operator of battery storage in the UK, Zenobe Energy envisions a net-zero society. This company designs, builds, and operates battery solutions which rely on renewable energy.
Crucially, Zenobe Energy repurposes the batteries used in electric vehicles once they have completed their lifecycle. All of this means that carbon and other materials are not wasted.
By 2025, Zenobe Energy hopes to have 3000 e-buses in operation, 1GW of battery power delivering grid services in action, and 1 million tonnes of CO2 saved. The company is also aiming to power Scotland towards 100% renewable energy, and are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emission and air pollution.
Zenobe Energy also helps to electrify fleets of vehicles at once, and works with grid operators to foster a fully renewable electricity system which moves away from fossil fuels.
This is definitely one electric car company you’ll want to bear in mind, especially as the ban on new petrol and diesel cars looms closer.
Read More
What is the Problem With Electric Car Battery Recycling & What is Being Done to Solve it?
Another area of EV ownership that is subject to plenty of innovative solutions is battery recycling. Currently, there are several concerns but, as this article reveals, plenty of companies are on the case to improve this situation.
3 Things You Need to Know About a Portable Electric Car Charger
When you are looking for that extra burst of energy whilst out on the road, a portable electric car charger can be exactly what you need. We discuss some of the biggest electric car charger companies and the portable chargers they sell in this handy article.
Can I Charge an Electric Car at Home If I Don't Have a Driveway?
Many drivers feel put-off buying an electric car because they will struggle to charge it at home. Fortunately, companies are developing several exciting solutions to help you charge your EV with no driveway. Find out all you need to know on the topic in this guide.
Here's Why Electric Cars Can't Charge Themselves
A self-charging electric car would have a longer range than the models currently available to buy, so why aren't they able to charge themselves? And is anyone trying to solve the issue? Read this guide to learn how close self-charging electric cars actually are.