Why no EV estates/wagons?

[Job38]

So, I've had a BMW i3 for a few years and generally really enjoyed the experience (apart from hideous rear view and 'nasty' handling).

However, have 2 German Pointers so need a decent boot/trunk to accommodate them.
I have a fabulous old SAAB 95 Aero but it's becoming ridiculously expensive to run.

Therefore the ideal for me would be an EV estate/wagon.
However, iPace and Ford Mach-E are described as SUV but although the boot/trunk have decent size on plan their 'coupe' profile makes interior space compromised for hounds.

I'm guessing an EV needs maximum low drag to have viable range, hence profile?

But why no real EV estate/wagon?

[sjg]

Estates are niche things even outside the EV world. People that want boxy practicality but don't want the higher ride of a SUV (don't get me wrong, I'm one of them) are few and far between now.

With EVs it also helps packaging. Higher bodies are better to package batteries - low-slung stuff like a Tesla Model 3 or S ends up with an oddly high floor for rear passengers.

The VW ID Space Vizzion concept (apparently will become the ID5) looks promising though. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-la-...

[Job38]

Liking that, think I'll wait...!

[Scrump]

Closest I have seen is the Audi e-tron.

[Mr E]

Because SUV.
If you’re currently making a niche product, entering another niche makes zero sense.

I’m hoping that the simplicity of an electric drivetrain means that producing low volume estates is possible. But I’m resigned to my next car being a gopping SUV.

[Evanivitch]

Unfortunately the closest you'll get is the Passat GTE or an Optima PHEV. And even they are quite a bit rare than the saloon.

[dxg]

VW have got your back:

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-la-...

I actually really like the ID design language. Way nicer than the overly-creased language of VW, Audi and, increadingly, Seat in their ICE cars.

[anonymous-user]

Sadly, we’re still in the ‘next year or the year after’ phase that we’ve been in for 2 or 3 years now.

There’s still not much choice out there to actually buy.

[maffski]

Qwest will make you a Tesla Model S estate.

First one was commissioned for the same reason. Bad news is it's 70 grand plus the model S donor.

[Gandahar]

The germans will fill that niche when the bowl above fills and starts dripping down to the smaller bowl below.

[anonymous-user]

I see Volvo as the first manufacturer that will do it. With their stated ambitions for electrification, and the recent release of the fully electric XC40, it seems possible. The new V40 is due imminently.

[DonkeyApple]

As someone said, the SUV answers 99% of the consumer demand requirements as it does for the other old, archaic formats of saloon and hatchback.

But JLR are supposed to be launching an estate car and stated that it would be EV only and I’m sure the likes of Volvo have one on the cards.

Given that most manufacturers launch their estate model after their saloon model I think it’s just a matter of time before they do appear.

Maybe they’ve done focus groups and got data that early adopters wouldn’t buy a fuddy duddy’s weapon of choice. For starters, Inlike fast estate cars so that automatically makes me assume that they are very uncool and not at all what an early adopter of gadgetry and the latest things would ever want to be associated?

[Ardennes92]

Would appear to be a niche to get into before everyone else does!

[DonkeyApple]

Ardennes92 said:

Would appear to be a niche to get into before everyone else does!

Sometimes niches of niches don’t really work without really big economies of scale.

[ZesPak]

As my primary car, I've owned exclusively estates for the past 15 years.

However, I had the same question you posed. My Model S has a bigger boot than any estate on the market. I can't imagine a lot of scenarios where the XF I had would do what my Model S did in terms of cargo.

[georgezippy]

maffski said:

Qwest will make you a Tesla Model S estate.

First one was commissioned for the same reason. Bad news is it's 70 grand plus the model S donor.

This is what's needed. I like estates and want an EV one, I am prepared to spend a lot of money too, can't be the only one.
Closest thing out there is a Passat GTE, massive but low, and can tow - this I need, so many EVs can't. Just a trailer tent, not too big, current Audi A4 dag dag barely notices it. I also do long motorway trips so want a car with good aero and SUVs just don't have that, do people not understand the laws of physics?

I may get a GTE until something purely Ev is out there. The only fast tow capable large family pure EV is a Model X which is just too blobby. Why can't a Model S tow? ( I have been told it won't) as that has enough luggage space for the family. Model 3 can tow but no hatchback. Model Y anyone?

[DonkeyApple]

Why fixate on aero when prepared to spend a lot of money?

The problem is that estates are unfashionable and the fashionable SUV does everything an estate does apart from look nicer.

[ZesPak]

... And drive better. More economically.

[RDMcG]

Porsche Taycan Cross Tourismo is in the works

[oop north]

DonkeyApple said:

Why fixate on aero when prepared to spend a lot of money?
.

Range