Truly Electrifying: Are Electric Vehicles Really The Cars Of The Future?
Charlotte O’Brien, member of UAE-based all-female supercar club Arabian Gazelles, tells us more…
Less than 10 years ago it would have been laughable to think that electric vehicles (EVs) would be a viable car option for the masses. But in this short time period, the automotive industry has undergone a profound transformation and it looks like they are not only here to stay, they are on the cusp of overtaking traditional gas-fuelled automobiles.
When we look at EVs, we see them as a modern creation, but surprisingly they were first invented and gained popularity in the late 1800s. By the turn of the century – as the automotive industry was growing – EVs accounted for a third of all vehicles on the road in the US. They were seen as cleaner and quieter than their combustion engine counterparts and as such targeted the female audience. Sadly, by the 1910s, the EV car industry began to decline as it was unable to compete with the efficiency that combustion engine cars had with their longer range, power, and reliability. Not even Thomas Edison could develop a battery to compete against the internal combustion engine (ICE).
For the next 100 years, EVs were forgotten about as ICE became more common and investment in engines with alternative fuel sources was reduced to a trickle. But the past decade has seen a paradigm shift in the industry, with interest and acceptance of EVs skyrocketing. It’s a change powered by the Tesla car company, a pioneer of modern, mainstream EVs. It has successfully disrupted an industry that was determined to continue to rely on fossil fuels. With its success in gaining an unprecedented percentage of market share, Tesla has forced other traditional car manufacturers to start investing in EVs to stay relevant with car owners.
On the outside, it looks like the future for EVs could not be greener. A clean energy alternative, EVs are a non-polluting vehicle–and one that aligns with a growing global commitment to sustainability. For example, the UK has announced that by 2030 all cars and vans need to be hybrid or fully electric (with the former phased out by 2035). New ICE cars and vans will be banned. Car manufacturers have also taken note. Bentley has announced that its entire product range will be electric by 2030, quite a change from the big block engines it has been known for. Other automotive giants have also made promises to move towards electrification. Ford plans to become all-electric for their passenger car lineup in Europe by 2030 and VW Group wants 70 percent of all sales to be fully electric in Europe by 2030.
With the rise of EVs, one of the most impactful changes is around autonomous driving technology which is rapidly progressing. Self-driving capabilities have and will become more sophisticated, the combination of electric power, autonomous systems, AI, and faster internet connectivity is set to transform the way we move. Electric autonomous vehicles will not only enhance convenience and efficiency but also pave the way for shared mobility services, potentially reducing congestion, maximising the utilisation of vehicles, and reducing human error accidents. The way we drive and our traditional view of car ownership will most likely change because of this shift.
For the world to go fully electric however, there are significant challenges that need to be overcome before we see the ICE retired. One such challenge is the expansion of charging infrastructure; a widespread and convenient charging network will need to be established. Another hurdle is the cost and availability of batteries – while battery prices have been steadily declining, achieving cost parity with ICE is essential. Continued research and development to improve battery technology, to enable electric vehicles to offer longer ranges, faster charging, and lower prices, making them accessible to a wider consumer base is also critical. Finally, recycling and responsible disposal of batteries is a new challenge to the industry as EVs become more popular, it must begin to develop widespread sustainable battery recycling to recover valuable materials and minimise waste.
With all the advancement we are witnessing today, the future of mobility is undoubtedly going to be a crazy ride. The mere fact that the automotive industry has progressed more in the last 10 years than it has in the past 150 years is a fascinating reality. Cars will have the capability to communicate in real-time with other cars, calculating the quickest routes for their owners’ destinations. Owners will have the capability to “send off” their cars autonomously to pick up friends or family members, or, for example, make money as taxis while they get on with work in the office – a concept that Tesla is actually working on. This, coupled with Elon Musk’s Neuralink project, begs the question – could there be a future where the steering wheel and foot pedals are no more? One would simply sit in their car and be connected to it with their mind? BMW is reportedly already experimenting with completely new ways of interacting and controlling vehicles. Perhaps sooner than we think, when it comes to cars, science fiction will no longer be pure fantasy.
Crazy Ride: 4 EV Prototypes to Watch
NAME TBC: SONY-HONDA MOBILITY NEW BRAND, AFEELA
Sony and Honda’s joint mobility venture unveiled a new EV prototype under their new brand called Afeela during Sony’s presentation at CES this year. They will launch their new car collaboration in 2026 which is said to come equipped with a staggering 45 high-resolution cameras and sensors to monitor exterior conditions as well as the driver’s status to provide advanced collision detection and prevention.
i VISION DEE: BMW
Showcased at the 2023 CES, the BMW i Vision Dee is an exciting concept car that showcases BMW’s commitment to sustainability and future mobility. The Dee stands for Digital Emotional Experience and is showcasing what is possible when hardware and software merge. BMW wants to transform the car into an intelligent companion. Exciting features include augmented reality, voice-driven virtual assistants, and even changes colour to whatever shade the driver is in the mood for.
MCMURTRY SPEIRLING: MCMURTRY AUTOMOTIVE
With performance figures that defy belief, the Speirling puts out over 1,000 horsepower and weighs in at a very light 1,000kg achieving the magical 1:1 horsepower-to-weight ratio. The entire car is built around a lightweight carbon fiber tub with a single seat and features the same downforce-generating fan as Gordon Murray’s revolutionary Brabham BT46B Formula One racer. McMurtry says that by combining this weight-saving power and downforce-generating technology, the Speirling can literally sprint from 0-100km in under 1.5 seconds. The team at McMurtry is hard at work setting the prototype car up to smash records and bring her to market in both track-ready and road-ready versions.
CODE-NAMED TITAN: APPLE
The rumoured Apple Car has generated significant excitement and speculation and has been in development for nearly a decade. The latest talk anticipates a possible entry into the automotive industry in 2026. Apple’s reputation for innovation, design, and user-friendly products continues to fuel anticipation. The Apple Car could bring fresh ideas and unique features, revolutionising the driving experience. With Apple’s focus on seamless integration of hardware and software, the car could offer intuitive interfaces and connectivity. Furthermore, Apple’s involvement might accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies, powering industry-wide advancements.
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@BMW. Images by Roger Wilkilson, Shuttershock
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia: The Future