If Americans want rugged EVs, they’ll get rugged EVs

Earlier this year, electric vehicle advocates insisted that global demand was still “surging,” even though sales in the US had slowed; now, they’re targeting a specific audience to make that a reality.

The (off)road less traveled

The most popular EVs in the US are famously SUVs and pickups, (like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E).

So, rather than try to market EVs to people who don’t seem interested, automakers are embracing the one audience they definitely have:

• Rivian’s new R1S is built to accommodate campers on rocky terrain.
• This was also the pitch for the Cybertruck, though that hasn’t worked out too well.

Then there’s Kia’s WKNDR concept, which has solar panels on the roof and turbines in its wheels.

• If you’re driving through a stream or up on a windy mountain, the turbines will recharge the batteries.

It’s as cool as it is silly, but it’s nothing compared to Kawasaki’s incredible Corleo EV concept:

• It’s an ATV, but it has legs instead of wheels.
• It could, in theory, scale difficult terrain like a mountain goat and gallop quickly like a horse.

Concept cars…

… like the WKNDR and Corleo rarely make it to production, but they serve several important purposes:

• They elicit oohs and aahs from the press.
• They advertise a brand to the public (admit it, you’re curious about Kawasaki’s wheeled offerings now).
• They gauge interest in new designs and innovations… like an ATV with legs.

Unlike transforming sports cars or teeny Fiats, Americans might actually buy concepts like these if they go into production.