Why These Electric Car Models Were Discontinued

While electric cars are becoming increasingly popular, not every electric vehicle designed is a hit in the market. Car manufacturers always try to develop a design that will take the market by storm, but they don’t always hit their mark.

There were also flaws and technological failings in some earlier models that caused them to flop shortly after being released. Here are a few discontinued electric cars and the reasons why these models are no longer in production.

Chevrolet Spark EV

The Chevy Spark EV was produced between 2013 and 2016, the first all-electric passenger vehicle marketed by GM since the 1996 S-10 EV pickup truck. It had a lithium-ion phosphate battery with an estimated range of 82 miles and was discontinued due to poor sales and the introduction of the more popular Chevy Bolt EV.

BMW i3

BMW’s first electric vehicle was the BMW i3, announced in 2011. This hatchback was only recently discontinued, with production stopped in July 2021. At that time, the 42.2-kWh was rated for a 153-mile range, and customers could further extend that range with an optional inline two-cylinder gas-powered extender. It was discontinued to make way for their next generation of electric vehicles, the i4, and iX.

Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Sold in the US for model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV was one of the most affordable electric cars on the market during its run. The 2017 model was rated for almost 60 miles on a single charge and had a 49-horsepower engine paired with a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. However, this electric car sold poorly in the US despite its affordability, and the Japanese automaker discontinued its production for American markets.

Ford Focus Electric

The second electric car produced by Ford, the Ford Focus Electric, was available from 2011-2018 and sold more than 9,000 units in the United States. The 2017 model’s 33.5-kWh lithium-ion battery had an estimated range of 115 miles, larger than most electric cars produced at that time.

Toyota Rav4 EV

The Toyota Rav4 EV has had a few different versions over the years. Toyota made the first generation in 1997, and a limited version was available to fleet customers. It had a nickel metal hydride battery with a 95-mile range, and the synchronous permanent-magnet motor provided 67 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque.

It was released for public sale in 2002, but was discontinued shortly after, likely due to difficulties getting the necessary parts. A second generation featuring a 41.8 lithium-ion battery with a range of 103 miles was sold from 2012-2014. However, this generation was discontinued after Toyota ended its partnership with Tesla to produce the car’s electric drivetrain.

The Future of Electric Vehicles

Even though many electric car models have been discontinued, several are still available, with even more being designed yearly. Unfortunately, like traditional gas-powered cars, electric cars have different parts that can break and need to be replaced.

You should always be familiar with your car’s warranty to know which parts are covered and for how long. Doing so can help prepare you for any potentially costly repairs, and may even save you money in the long run.