EV cars are finding it harder to break through into mainstream society than
hybrids did. Its hard for them to compete with traditional internal combustion
engine cars and hybrids. Electric cars are expensive largely due to their
large hi-tech battery packs, and the problem of range and recharging is
still outstanding. You can drive 600 miles in a traditional car, stop for
fuel which will only take a few minutes and then do it all over again. The
best EV cars have a range somewhere in the region of 150-200 miles and when
your batteries are flat it takes hours to charge them, not minutes.
The problems that I've just outlined with EV cars will definitely be overcome
in the future. Electric vehicle technology is improving rapidly right now.
Batteries are becoming more powerful and cheaper to make. Range will go
up and future fast charging technology will result in recharge times of
just minutes. Alternative solutions like battery swap stations could also
solve the range and recharge issue. But lets assume all of these problems
go away right now and we have an EV car thats the same price and as practical
to own in every way as a traditional gas powered car. Are we ready to quit
the gas guzzlers and make the change to electric?
Some people will be driven by the opportunity to help out the planet. Others
will make the change because of the likely savings in running costs. But
for many people out there, the real car enthusiasts, owning and driving
a car is about more than this. Its about emotion, its about fun, its about
the feeling you have when you hear the engine under the hood come alive
as you press the accelerator, and the rasp of the tailpipe. For these people
cars have to have soul. For these people the gurgle of a powerful V8 is
beautiful and the deafening scream of a Ferrari V12 gives them goose bumps.
These vehicles have soul and individuality.
EV cars need
to show us the same excitement and individuality before the real car nuts
cross over.
Electric cars shouldn't try to imitate their petrol equivalents. This would
be a bad thing. I'd hate to see EV cars with external speakers blasting
out the sound of a V8 as they drive down the road. Motoring enthusiasts
would see right through this and be completely turned off. What EV cars
need to do is remain true to themselves and take advantage of something
thats unique to them. Then they will find their soul!
An electric vehicle may find its uniqueness in a defining tone of its electric
motor, or through some noise that an additional piece of electric technology
makes (in much the same way that a turbocharger adds to petrol engines).
It could be that the heart and soul of an EV car can be created through
a unique road handling setup that a gas powered car can't offer. For example
torque is available all the time in electric vehicles not just in a narrow
rev range. Another feature unique to electric cars is that four electric
motors can be used, one to drive each wheel. Yet another example is boost
systems that run on regenerative energy. All these things could give a manufacturer
that unique handling and feel.
The big car enthusiasts out there will make the change to electric cars.
When they develop unique properties, that make them not only independent
of gas powered vehicles, but individuals within their own electric kind,
car enthusiasts will fall in love with them. When they do, they will really
embrace EV cars - however don't be shocked if they also have a classic V8
sitting at the rear of the garage for the occasional Sunday afternoon!