| If you have trouble reading this message, view it in a browser.  This week Lexus announced its first EV, Audi proposed a luxury charging hub, Nissan's Ariya debuted in Monaco, and Hyundai released Ioniq 5 specs. But first:  The Ford F-150 Lightning isn't the only EV that the Dearborn-based automaker has in the works. Days after the reveal of its first electric pickup, which will go on sale in the first half of 2022, Ford rolled out a wider-ranging plan that will see two dedicated EV platforms for future vehicles. As a part of this plan Ford will raise its EV investment to more than $30 billion by 2025, and will also invest in several new battery technologies. Just what kinds of vehicles will we see on the two new platforms? Ford has indicated that one of the platforms will be aimed at commercial vehicles and full-size pickups. But a second platform will be a rear- and all-wheel-drive architecture for SUVs and smaller trucks, one of which will certainly result in a battery-electric version of the Explorer.  Ford promises an electric Explorer SUV is coming soon. "Yes, we will fully electrify Explorer as you might expect, given our plan to deliver 40% of our lineup as fully electric vehicles by 2030. We will continue playing to our strengths and electrify our icons in high-volume segments that we dominate today. We'll share details later," Ford North America Product Communications manager Mike Levine wrote on Twitter this week. A battery-electric Explorer, after all, is a must for the automaker, especially now that crossovers, trucks, and SUVs make up the bulk of its lineup.  A Lexus EV is coming in 2022, after its first PHEV. Another automaker also reconfirmed its EV plans this week, with Lexus indicating that it will launch its first stateside EV model in 2022. The luxury Japanese automaker recently previewed just what such a model could look like via the LF-Z Electrified concept, a crossover positioned just a bit below the Lexus RX in size. Like its parent company, Lexus has largely sat out the North American EV market until relatively recently, but it does currently offer an electric version of the UX in Europe. With two Toyota electric models on the way later this year, Toyota and Lexus are certainly getting into the game, while still leaving plenty of room to maneuver—Lexus will continue to offer hybrids, and will offer its first PHEV in the U.S. later this year.    The Nissan Ariya made its driving debut on the Circuit de Monaco, coinciding with the Formula E race. The 2022 model goes on sale in the U.S. later this year, offering two battery options and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The Ariya is expected to start around $40,000 prior to any federal or local incentives, and offer 389 hp in top spec.  Audi's fast-charging hub concept features its own energy storage provided by used lithium-ion batteries sourced from old EVs and will take advantage of off-peak energy. And the premium interior of the concept—expected to be constructed later this year in pilot form—features a lounge with food and drink.   Spread the word: If you know someone interested in staying on top of the rapidly growing EV segment, feel free to pass this newsletter along.
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Ford is rolling out two new EV platforms
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