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The five most important electric innovations of 2025: Leap year for manufacturers

(dpa/tmn) The timing could have been better. Because while the electric euphoria has noticeably cooled down, affordable electric cars are finally gearing up for 2025. Can they lift the mood again?

All-rounder in angular guise: The Panda celebrates its return with Stellantis electric technology on the affordable Smart Car Platform and remains true to its space artist genes. | Photo: Fiat
All-rounder in angular guise: The Panda celebrates its return with Stellantis electric technology on the affordable Smart Car Platform and remains true to its space artist genes. | Photo: Fiat
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From now on, it's serious! While all CO2 efforts so far have been only due to good intentions, automakers must start transferring hefty fines to Brussels this year if they miss the EU Commission's targets. 

For car manufacturers, these CO2 payments may be an existential threat at times. For new car buyers, however, they open up new opportunities. Since each new electric car reduces the fleet’s fuel consumption, and because they need to rake in cash more than ever with mass production in Rüsselsheim, Cologne, or Korea, 2025 is all about affordable electric cars.

While new combustion cars with significant market potential are becoming as rare as hen's teeth and are almost exclusively found as SUVs like the Audi Q5, the VW Tayron as a seven-seater Tiguan offshoot, or the Dacia Bigster as the new flagship for Germany's number one import brand, and often require deep pockets, there are plenty of premieres for bargain hunters at the charging station. We have compiled the five most important innovations of the year here:

Fiat Grande Panda: The Comeback of the "Great Box"

Once celebrated in advertising as the "great box," the Panda, like the Cinquecento (500), has been an Italian mainstay since the 1980s. Hence, it is celebrating a comeback as a cost-conscious small car for Generation E.

For prices starting at 24,990 euros, according to the manufacturer, there is a 3.99-meter-long city car with five seats and 361 liters of trunk space. Externally, it recalls the original with its angular body and three-dimensional lettering. Inside, the oval-framed instruments create a bridge to the legendary La Pista test track on the roof of the headquarters in Turin.

The drive is powered by an 83 kW/113 hp electric motor, supplied by a 44 kWh battery with energy for up to 320 standard kilometers. However, as has often been the case recently, Fiat is not solely relying on electric propulsion and is also offering the Grande Panda – probably for at least another 5,000 euros less – as a combustion engine vehicle.

Although Fiat is making the most noise about this hopeful model, it doesn’t come alone as part of the large Stellantis family. From the same platform, a new Opel Frontera and the next generation of the Citroën C3 Aircross will also be available at similar prices. And for those who prefer something a bit more upscale, the conglomerate packages the same offering as the Alfa Romeo Junior and the Lancia Ypsilon, which will also be available in Germany again after years of absence.

Renault R4: The SUV Companion

With the comeback of the R5 as an affordable electric car, Renault received much acclaim in 2024. Now, the small car once celebrated in advertising as the "little friend" is getting an SUV companion, for which the French are once again diving into their own archives. Because with more ground clearance, a slightly bulkier appearance, and a little more space in the interior, the R4 is making a return as an electric car from the same platform this year.

At 4.14 meters, according to Renault, it is two handbreadths longer than the R5, offers five seats and 420 liters of trunk space, and is expected to launch at prices well below 30,000 euros. The R5 provides the technical basis, from which it borrows features such as the front engines with 90 kW/120 hp or 110 kW/150 hp and the battery with either 40 or 52 kWh. This allows for up to 400 kilometers of range.
 

Hyundai Inster: Korea's smallest

At the latest since the launch of their global electric platform and the debut of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, the Koreans have become a major player at the charging station. But now they are also returning to electric small cars. 

While Kia is advancing into the compact class with the 4.30 meter short EV3 at prices starting from 35,990 euros, going head-to-head with the VW ID.3, Hyundai goes a step further with the Inster. Priced from 23,900 euros, the Korean small car occupies a segment that VW plans to enter only in 2026 with the ID.2.

For this price, there is a small car that is 3.85 meters short and 1.61 meters narrow but tall, with a design that is both charming and rustic, and a drive that is quite suitable for everyday use. The base model therefore comes with a 71 kW/97 hp front motor and a battery of 40 kWh for a standard range of 300 kilometers.

According to Hyundai, the “Long Range” versions offer 85 kW/115 hp and 49 kWh for about 370 kilometers starting at 25,400 euros. While the top speed of 140 and 150 km/h fits the segment, the charging performance is below average at best with 85 kW.

Hyundai compensates for the long waiting times with a flexible interior. The rear seats can not only be shifted by 16 centimeters, expanding the trunk from 280 to 351 liters, but also the seat cushions of the two front seats merge into a cozy bench, and for those who want to rest properly at the charging station, all seatbacks can be folded down into a lying surface.

Skoda Elroq: Perhaps the Better Volkswagen

With a price drop of around 15,000 euros, Skoda is responding to the looming CO2 penalties and lowering the barriers for entry into electrification with the new Elroq to 33,900 euros. At the same time, according to their own statements, the Czechs are achieving price parity with a combustion engine for the first time. This is because the similarly sized Karoq costs exactly the same with comparable equipment, according to Skoda.

Where the Enyaq stands out as an electric pioneer in the upper league, the Elroq, at a length of 4.48 meters, targets the compact class of the VW Tiguan & Co. Nonetheless, Skoda promises five comfortable seats and 470 to 1,580 liters of trunk space. In the double floor are batteries with 52 kWh or 77 kWh, which offer ranges from 375 to 581 kilometers. According to Skoda, they power one or two engines with 125 kW/170 hp to 220 kW/300 hp, allowing for speeds of 160 or 180 km/h.

Admittedly, parent company VW has lowered the price for the ID.3 just in time for the debut of the Czech relative, thus presenting the cheapest e-model in the group to date. However, the Elroq as an SUV probably still has better chances. At least until the wheel turns again next year, VW jointly with Skoda and Cupra enters a lower class, and the prices for e-vehicles are pushed down to around 25,000 euros. However, these cars will not come to the market until 2026.

Mercedes CLA: Star with over 750 kilometers range

With estimated prices beyond 50,000 euros, the next Mercedes CLA is by far the most expensive car on this list. But with the approximately 4.80-meter-long coupé sedan, Mercedes is finally up to date technically. After all, the manufacturer uses a completely new electric architecture with an 800-volt network, a new battery and motor generation, and sophisticated aerodynamics.

Therefore, the car, with its 85-kWh batteries and a 200 kW/272 hp electric motor on the rear axle, reaches over 750 kilometers and is said to charge energy for more than 300 kilometers within ten minutes according to the manufacturer. Although uncompromisingly designed for the new technology for the first time, there will also be a new generation of petrol engines for the CLA and the three other models from this modular system.

With the CLA, the Swabians narrowly outpace their most important competitor. Because BMW is also preparing a new architecture that — albeit half a segment above the CLA — will determine the portfolio of the coming years. However, this "New Class", which will make its debut with an electric SUV in the style of the X3, is still set to be unveiled this autumn, but will not hit the market until 2026 – and might then become the highlight of next year's overview.

Translated automatically from German.
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