There is a worrying trend among motoring journalists and opinion columns of describing Electric Vehicles (EVs) as little more than white goods. It’s a label that suggests that EVs are bland, utilitarian appliances. It claims they lack the character and excitement traditionally associated with motoring. This perspective is simply not true and puts us at risk of repeating the errors of the past. In this blog, I’ll explain why that analogy is wrong and unhelpful.
In the early days of motoring, the UK adopted a piece of legislation that was remarkable, for all the wrong reasons.
The Locomotives Act of 1865 required all ‘self-propelled’ vehicles to have at least 3 drivers (or conductors as they were called). One of which, had to walk 60 yards in front waving a red flag to warn passersby of the oncoming hazard.
With hindsight, it was a serious blow to the automotive industry restricting adoption of early vehicles. It seems ridiculous now, but law, in general, is a reflection of wider public attitudes. This law was no exception.
Public reaction to motorised vehicles in the late 19th century was a mix of fear and ridicule. People would shout things like “get a horse” as early adopters drove by.
Early car owners suffered from range anxiety in the same way as EV owners do today
In those days, “get a horse” wasn’t bad advice. A horse was a much more reliable option. Motor mechanics simply didn’t exist and neither did petrol stations. Early car owners suffered from range anxiety in the same way as EV owners do today.
It wasn’t until the 1920s that cars finally began to outnumber horses in the world’s major cities. At that point, the car was already approaching its 50th birthday.
Today, as we move away from the internal combustion engine, there are many parallels between the current situation and that of early car owners. In some ways, it feels like history is repeating itself. Let’s make sure we learn from our mistakes rather than repeat them.
It’s easy to romanticise the golden age of motoring, the smell of the petrol, the sound of the engine, the tactile feedback. Driving has always been a sensory experience. But those who complain that EVs are boring and lack character are simply expressing the same opinion as those who shouted “get a horse” 100 years ago.
After all, it would be very difficult to argue that a mechanical object like a car could have more character than a living being like horse.
Ask yourself, how much of your driving experience is the character of the motor, rather than the influence of sophisticated electronic systems working behind the scenes?
Modern vehicles already blur the lines between traditional and electric motoring. Over the past few decades, vehicle manufacturers have increasingly incorporated technologies under the banner of “automotive electronics” to enhance the driving experience. That’s things like engine management systems, adaptive transmission control, infotainment systems, advanced driver assistance.
These systems optimise the experience by managing extremes of driving conditions, driver inputs and environmental factors. They smooth out the bumps in the road which might otherwise be termed “character”.
The future of electric vehicles promises to be anything but mundane
EVs offer a quieter and smoother ride, but that’s not a lack of character. It’s a testament to their efficiency and innovation. Beyond that, there is clear demand for sporty, exciting EVs. Manufacturers are already stepping up to the challenge with the next generation that are environmentally friendly and thrilling to drive.
EVs are at the forefront of automotive technology, offering amazing features that keep them at the cutting edge of performance and convenience.
EVs are dynamic and evolving, embodying the spirit of modern innovation. To dismiss them as mere “white goods” is to overlook the revolution they represent in both technology and sustainability. The skeptics of the past couldn’t foresee the transformative impact of the automobile. In the same way today’s critics are underestimating the profound and exciting changes that EVs are bringing to the world of motoring.
