Like pretty much every car brand in the world right now, Buick
plans to become an electric vehicle producer. The last General Motors asset to announce its electrification goals, the company says it plans to complete the powertrain shift in six years, starting in 2024.
Going from no EVs to all EVs in that amount of time seems aggressive, but Buick will need to stay on track if it wants to keep up with the competition. Jerry
, your car ownership super app
, took a closer look at the luxury brand’s EV plans to serve you the details. Buick’s new electric cars will go by old names
Buick has some catching up to do. Rival brands like GMC, Cadillac, and Jeep already have electric models for sale or in the wings, not to mention newcomers like Tesla, Lucid, and Rivian. The only comparable automaker also waiting until 2024 to deliver an EV is Lincoln.
But a brand like Buick also needs to balance its new direction with respect for its legacy. To do this, it’s reviving two names from its past catalog for the upcoming electric models: Electra and Wildcat.
It sounds like Electra, the nameplate of Buick’s former flagship sedan, will be repurposed to brand Buick’s EV family.
Buick unveiled a concept car under the moniker in 2020. But in the company’s recent announcement, images of a new model called the Wildcat were shared. The photos show a stylish two-door coupe.
Buick’s entry into the EV market is a late one
Buick didn’t help its “old man” image by waiting until June 2022 to announce its EV transition plans. The luxury electric car
market already exploded last year. Lucid, Mercedes, and Rivian entered the race which was already dominated by Tesla and shared by Audi, Jaguar, Porsche, Polestar, and Volvo.
Nearly every other automaker announced their electrification goals
and upcoming models. Buick’s most similar relative, Cadillac, has the all-electric Lyriq set to reach drivers this year. Car and Driver
says Byton, Canoo, Fisker, Genesis, Lexus, Lotus, and Sony all have 2022 release dates for their first EVs as well. And with more brands jumping in next year, too, it looks like Buick will have a crowded field to deal with when its first model arrives in 2024.What will car insurance look like for the first Buick EV?
MORE: The Latest Luxury Electric Vehicles–for Kids?
It’s tough to say for sure, but if current coverage trends continue into the next two years, car insurance
for Buick’s first electric car will likely be on the expensive side. Coverage for similar EVs like the Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan average significantly higher than most vehicles. Premiums might normalize as EVs become more common, but it’s not guaranteed.
No matter what happens to car insurance over the next few years, you can count on Jerry to find you the best price.
The Jerry app can collect quotes from dozens of top insurance companies, like Travelers, Nationwide, and Progressive, in seconds! They can even help cancel your old policy once you’ve made your pick.