As subsidies are phased out and batteries get smarter, automakers—including Jeep, Toyota and Subaru—are retooling for a plugged-in future that’s faster, cleaner and unexpectedly opaque.
By Simon Murray
Forgive me for talking macroeconomics in a column about EVs, but technology is where money and politics now collide at full speed. At the time of writing, seven companies—Tesla among them—represent nearly 30 percent of the S&P 500’s market cap, investing billions into AI infrastructure despite little evidence of near-term profit. The resulting froth has prompted everyone from Sam Altman to Andrew Ross Sorkin to proclaim that the stock market is in a bubble.
Still, all the doom and gloom in the headlines tends to miss one thing: there’s a ton of innovation happening around the world—not just in AI, but across quantum computing, synthetic biology and, yes, renewable energy. In the lab, scientists have developed silver-ion coatings that extend lithium-metal battery life by 96 percent after 1,300 charges; Toyota is chasing the first solid-state EV battery, promising faster charging and longer range; and AI is now inspecting battery cells to spot microscopic defects before they reach production. While the regulatory fate of gas-powered cars in the US remains uncertain, the innovators seem undeterred, charging ahead with breakthroughs that could redefine the next generation of EVs.
All of which brings us to the fun part: the cars themselves. Here are two EVs—and one plug-in hybrid—that capture this spirit of innovation in up-and-coming models.
2026 Jeep Compass 4xe
The current administration’s rollback of the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it led to a historic surge in third-quarter EV sales—more than 438,000 units for Ford, GM and Tesla combined. Proof, perhaps, that buyers aren’t ready to tap the brakes on electric propulsion just yet.
The new Compass 4xe leans into that momentum with its “4xe” powertrain—Jeep’s shorthand for plug-in hybrid technology that fuses a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with dual electric motors and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The result is up to 195 horsepower, about 30 miles of electric-only range and full Jeep’s Trail Rated capability, meaning it can crawl through mud, rocks and water just like its gas-powered counterparts.
2026 Toyota bZ Woodland Edition
Like it or not, keeping politics out of car buying went out the window the moment Mr. Musk went to Washington. Whether you’ve pried the T off your Tesla or just want a car that won’t start a debate, your home state might still help foot the bill. In New York, for instance, the Drive Clean Rebate offers up to $2,000 off more than 60 EV models, with the greater the range, the greater the rebate. And if you’re Massachusetts-based, the MOR-EV program provides $3,500 for all-electric vehicles or $1,500 for plug-in hybrids.
Toyota’s bZ Woodland Edition, expected at dealerships in early 2026, feels destined for both lists. Based on the refreshed bZ4X platform and tuned for adventure, its standard all-wheel drive, upgraded suspension and all-terrain tires make it the most trail-ready member of Toyota’s growing “Beyond Zero” lineup. With an estimated 250-mile range and improved charging speeds, it’s proof the company’s slow-and-steady EV strategy might finally be hitting its stride.
2026 Subaru Uncharted
My wife and I recently bought an Ascent from the lovely folks at Haddad Subaru in Pittsfield. It was there I laid eyes on the upcoming Uncharted and, without hesitation, told them that would be my next car. (In hopefully a decade, but still.) Due out next spring, the Uncharted will sit on Subaru’s new e-Global platform—shared with Toyota—and slot just above the Solterra. Early specs suggest dual motors, standard all-wheel drive and around 300 miles of range. True to Subaru form, it looks ready to tackle snowbanks, muddy trails and, of course, I-84 in winter.
Ask me again in a decade. By then, my next Subaru might drive itself, charge in five minutes and politely tell me it’s time to stop writing about EVs and just enjoy the ride.
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