LOS ANGELES — As the Los Angeles Auto Show gears up for its return after a COVID-induced hiatus, its organizers are getting charged up for EVs.

Next month’s show will feature a 45,000-square-foot electric vehicle test track and will also mark the debut of a new EV awards program called the ZEVAS.

What You Need To Know

  • The LA Auto Show is returning this year after a COVID-induced hiatus in 2020

  • This year's show will take place Nov. 19-28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center

  • The show will include a 45,000-square-foot electric vehicle test track for the first time

  • Seventy-eight percent of past LA Auto Show attendees say they're significantly more interested in electric vehicles now than they were 12 to 15 months ago

"The LA Auto Show has always been in lock-step with the car shopper's purchasing journey," said Lisa Kaz, owner and chief executive of the show. "We know that electrification is the future, and Angelenos are eager to learn about EVs and how they enhance their lifestyle."

Already, LA is the top market in the country for electric vehicle sales, with 231,000 EVs currently on the road. But that number is expected to grow exponentially as more models become available. According to a new survey of past LA Auto Show attendees, 78% are significantly more interested in electric vehicles now than they were in the last 12 to 15 months.

While the specific roster of vehicles that will be shown or debuted have yet to be released, it’s likely that automakers will leverage the LA Auto Show’s status as the first major auto show of the season — and the first in North America to return since the pandemic — to highlight the many zero-emissions cars they’ve been teasing.

Related Stories

Before the end of this year, 14 new electric vehicles are expected to come on the market, including the Audi Q4 E-tron and Q4 Sportback E-tron, GMC Hummer EV, Lucid Air, Mazda MX30, Nissan Ariya and Rivian R1T. 

Another 25 all-new EVs are expected to come on the market in 2022, according to an analysis from Car and Driver magazine. While many models are the first purpose-built electrics from mainstream automakers, including the all-new Cadillac Lyriq, Kia EV6, Subaru Solterra and Volvo C40 Recharge, others are from startups, including the Bollinger B2 pickup truck and Fisker Ocean.  

Still, others are adding to a growing EV roster, such as Ford with its F-150 Lightning, Mercedes-Benz with its EQA, EQB, EQE and EQG and Tesla, which will release its new Cybertruck and Roadster sports car.

According to the survey the LA Auto Show conducted with more than 50,000 past LA attendees, 41% are looking forward to seeing the latest EV manufacturers and models, and 35% cannot wait to experience, sit in and test drive EVs in person. 

The LA Auto Show runs Nov. 19-28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.