This article was originally published by Michael Coates on Clean Fleet Report , a publication that gives its readers the information they need to move to cars and trucks with best fuel economy, including electric cars, fuel cells, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and advanced diesel and gasoline engines.

Every year automotive journalists tee up what they feel are the most significant new models in a contest known as the North American Car of the Year (NACOTY). In spite of the “car” name and in recognition of the diversity of the automotive market, there are three categories—car, utility and truck. For 2021 a total of 27 news vehicles (or vehicle families in some cases) were nominated, including a significant number of electrified models.

Among the eight cars, 15 utility vehicles and four trucks are several stand-outs with electric power. In the Car of the Year group, the all-electric Polestar 2 was nominated along with the new Hyundai Elantra Hybrid .

The utility field includes more contestants than both the car and truck categories combined, which reflects the direction the market is heading right now. Among its 15 nominees are the full electric Ford Mustang Mach-E , the Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid , Toyota Venza Hybrid and all-electric Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge. In the smaller truck field, Ford’s 2021 F-150 Hybrid will be among those evaluated.

“Many of the new models on our semifinalist list make bold statements that are intended to distinguish them within their segments,” NACTOY President Gary Witzenburg said. “Several are all-electric, while others have groundbreaking designs or off-the-charts capabilities. It will be fascinating to see which risks pay off this year as our evaluation process continues.”

The process

This year’s semifinalists were picked by a jury of 50 jurors from print, online, radio and broadcast media across the U.S. and Canada.

The next step in the awards process is an annual comparison drive that will take place Oct. 5-8, where jurors will have another chance to evaluate the vehicles that made the semifinalists list.

Next, jurors will vote to select three finalists from each category, which will be announced in December during an event hosted by the LA Auto Show . Winners will be announced in January 2021 during an event hosted by the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

We at Clean Fleet Report are not among the jurors, but we have evaluated several of the contenders or reported on them. We’ve linked our stories to mentions above and include them below.

You can follow Clean Fleet Report on Twitter and Facebook .

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The Pioneer 4×4 is an EV with a range extender and a… fabric exterior?

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UK startup Fering is a newcomer in the EV space, but sure comes with a heavy background, being the brainchild of ex-Ferrari and McLaren engineer, Ben Scott-Geddes.

The company, which is focusing on low-emission off roaders and emergency vehicles, has unveiled the prototype of its first model, the Pioneer — and it’s a quirky beast.

Surprisingly lightweight

When it comes to electric performance, reduced weight plays a very important role.

While the Pioneer is a 4×4 SUV in the same mold as the Rivian R1S and the GMC Hammer EV, it claims a significantly reduced weight of 1,500kg, as opposed to 2,650kg and 4,103kg, respectively. In fact, that’s closer to the weight of a medium-sized hatchback.

Design

According to the company, the lightness has been made possible thanks to an aluminum-composite spaceframe chassis, although most of it has to do with a surprising trick: fabric exterior panels.

Instead of body panels made of aluminum, steel, or carbon fiber, the Pioneer’s exterior panels are made from a material similar to canvas that is used for high-end hiking boots. Fering says that this fabric not only saves weight, but is easily replaced and provides superior insulation than metal.

Different type of batteries

The Pioneer has been designed as an all-weather off roader. Since the lithium-ion batteries found in most EVs can’t handle extreme temperatures, Fering has replaced them with a lithium-titanate-oxide (LTO) battery pack.

The LTO battery comes with a series of advantages :

Especially the last one means that, compared to their lithium-ion counterpart, the LTO batteries avoid thermal runaway or overheating, which is the main cause for battery fires and explosions.

At the same time, they have an enhanced low-temperature performance, able to maintain 80% of their full capacity at a mere -30 degrees.

On the other hand, though, they come with a significant drawback : lower energy density and storage capacity. As a result, the Pioneer can only go about 80km on pure battery power.

Multifuel range extender generator

For this reason, the Pioneer’s battery is supported by an 800cc 3-cylinder range extender combustion engine, which is powered by biodiesel. The engine is capable of delivering an impressive 100 kilometers per 5.6 liters, and can also use gasoline or hydrogen fuel cell.

Combined with the optional lon g-range tanks, Fering’s SUV can drive a stupendous 7,000km without any fuel or charging stops.

Outstanding off road performance

While it’s not designed for high speed, topping at 128km/h, the Pioneer claims to have pretty top notch off road credentials. Specifically, it can deliver 60% gradient climbs, 50-degree side tilts, 50cm step climbs, and wading depths up to 1.4m. Plus, it can carry its own weight in cargo.

With its many quirks and novelties, the Pioneer presents an interesting alternative to the Rivian R1S and the GMC Hammer, especially if you’d like to take your vehicle for serious adventures in extreme temperatures.

On the downside, you’d still have to use some form of fossil fuels, even if it’s the more environmental-friendly biodiesel or hydrogen fuel cell.

The Pioneer is currently undergoing testing and the company plans production for the first half of 2022.

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A kid’s replica of James Bond’s car exists AND IT MUST BE MINE

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Yes, I know, I’m not a kid anymore. Yes, I’m terrifyingly close to my 30s. And yes, THIS MINIATURE DRIVABLE REPLICA OF A JAMES BOND CAR MUST BE MINE.

Some history and context. In 2020, the folks at the Little Car Company teamed up with Aston Martin and the 007 brand to create two children’s replicas of the spy’s cars: the DB5 Junior and the DB5 Vantage Junior.

These were fine and all, but my soul was stirred by the special edition, which was revealed on Tuesday to celebrate James Bond’s upcoming movie. Even more alluringly, it’s also named after the movie: “No Time To Die.”

Aside from being a Bond fan, why would I possibly need this car? Well, I have a handful of very valid reasons.

First of all it’s a freaking piece of art. Imagine that it was created at a 66% scale of the original 1963 Aston Martin DB5, using a full 3D scan for reference.

While it accurately replicates all the legendary elements of 007’s car ( the Smiths instruments on the dashboard are my favorite), it still manages to offer a reimagined version that suits the modern era. But in tiny car form.

This brings me to my second argument. Powered by a 16kWh electric motor, it’s an EV, which means that I can play James Bond while also being green as fuck.

To add to this feeling, the marvelous replica has replaced the fuel gauge with a battery meter, and the oil temperature now monitors the motor temperature.

But most importantly, the “No Time To Die” mini Aston Martin could help me escape my many, many enemies. And in style .

Say I’m in a tight spot. I’m surrounded. That’s when I activate the guns.

Okay, these aren’t real weapons that pop out of the headlights, but the noise and flashing will be useful in scaring away whichever of my devious nemeses are after me this week.

Think that’s all? You’d be wrong. So very, very wrong.

This eeny-weeny car has a digital and customizable numberplate, a smoke machine in the exhaust pipe, and something called “Skid Mode.” I’ll let you work that one out for yourself.

But… can you actually drive the mini Aston Martin? And where?

The Little Car Company says it’s suitable for any children over 14. So despite being in my 20s, technically I’m all good.

The real question is where can I take this beast?

The Little Car Company, unfortunately, told me the vehicle isn’t sold as road legal. It’s up to the owner to find a way to use it, something that depends on the country they live in.

I live in the Netherlands, so I looked up the regulations over here. It’s no surprise that, based on its specifications, the DB5 Junior doesn’t qualify as a regular car.

What I hoped though was the mini Aston Martin would count as a microcar. Known as “ quadricycles ,” you can find these lil’ vehicles clogging up roads and cycle lanes all over the country.

Was I in luck?

No. No I wasn’t.

Quadricycles must meet a series of conditions to hit the roads, including:

Enclosed passenger compared from at least three sides

Maximum speed of 90km/h

Maximum electric motor power of 15kW

And sadly, while the James Bond minicar meets the first two requirements, it features a 16kW motor powered by four 1.8kWh batteries, so fails the last.

It can’t even drive in the bike lanes.

But with only 125 vehicles that will be built, and each priced at $123,000, I can’t really afford it. Looks like it’s time to sell some organs.

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