The First Affordable EV from Fisker

The First Affordable EV from Fisker

Fisker has finally launched Project PEAR. The Pear, a five-passenger "urban EV" with a starting price of $29,900 before incentives and taxes, is now accepting reservations. You'll have to pay a $250 deposit ($100 for a second reservation) and wait until 2024 to get your car, but if you don't want to wait for Tesla's legendary $25,000 car and don't like Chevy's impending Equinox EV, it might be worth it.

The Pear (PEAR stands for Personal Electric Automotive Revolution) is the outcome of a cooperation with Foxconn that prioritizes manufacturing competence over technology. It will be constructed in Ohio at a rate of at least 250,000 vehicles per year, implying that Fisker and Foxconn are relying on economies of scale to achieve that lower-than-usual pricing point.

It's questionable whether that first model will generate enough demand to justify the Pear's current output levels. The range, performance, and quality of the product are still unclear. By the time the Pear arrives, Fisker will be up against some stiff competition, and it wouldn't be shocking if additional direct competitors emerge between now and 2024. Nonetheless, the Pear could be welcomed as proof that electric vehicles are becoming cheaper. A sub-$30,000 EV in 2024 will be extremely astounding. If the $7,500 federal EV tax credit is still available when the PEAR goes on sale, it will start at a very reasonable $22,400.

The PEAR is described by Fisker as an "agile urban EV." It will, like the Ocean, emphasize sustainability and cutting-edge technology. The PEAR is a digitally linked, tiny electric vehicle with sporty driving dynamics, intuitive cabin controls, and “ingenious" storage solutions.

The PEAR should be a great hit if Fisker can pull it off. People are getting increasingly interested in electric vehicles. However, the majority are fairly pricey, and those that are much less expensive than the competition usually come with a slew of sacrifices.

While automakers and the government emphasize electric cars' role in combating climate change, most purchasers appear to be interested in the EV revolution due to the cars' superior performance and innovative design. The PEAR appears to be a functional, and tech-filled alternative at a reasonable price, as well as a peppy and athletic performance.

Fisker Pear Teaser

Fisker is committed to producing a "genuine SUV" rather than "yet another sleek all-electric hatchback". Its thin lighting, short overhangs, and wide stance are intended to emphasize its road presence and provide strong hints about future Fisker vehicles' design. Fisker has stated it is "the world's most sustainable electric vehicle". 

California mode lowers all the windows and retracts the roof to provide a convertible-style driving experience; a Limo mode that allows rear-seat passengers to control various vehicle functions; and a rotating 17.1in infotainment touchscreen that can be switched from portrait to landscape mode when the car is stopped are among the other highlights.

There will be three trim levels to choose from. Sport has a 275bhp motor on the front axle for a 6.6sec 0-60mph time; Ultra has a motor on each axle for 540bhp and a 3.9sec 0-60mph time; and the range-topping Extreme has 550bhp and a 3.6sec 0-60mph time.

All cars come standard with Earth and Fun driving modes, while the Ultra and Extreme have Hyper mode, which improves performance. There's also an Off-Road mode on the Extreme.

Fisker hasn't confirmed exact battery capacities but expects a range of 250 to 350 miles depending on specifications. These are based on the EPA test cycle in the United States, which frequently produces lower range values than the WLTP cycle in Europe, hence European-spec automobiles are likely to be scored higher.

Fisker hasn't confirmed charging capabilities, but Fisker’s Ocean solar-panel roof has the ability to add up to 2000 miles of range per year under perfect conditions. The Ultra and Extreme models feature CATL batteries with nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cell chemistry, according to Fisker, which gives them a combination of segment-leading range and performance.