A total of 361,307 electric vehicles (EVs) were sold in the US in 2018. While there was a very significant increase compared to the 26,107 EV units sold in 2017, the EV market only accounted for a 2% share of the total auto sales in the country last year. Still, several automakers continue to come up with the latest technologies in electric car manufacturing to attract consumers who are planning to jump into the EV bandwagon.
Sound Options For “Quiet” EVs
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced their proposal to carmakers that will require them to provide several sound options to EV owners. The US Road Safety Authority declared that EVs need to generate the sound every time they are running on the road at 19 mph (30 kph) or below. Because of this, pedestrians with vision problems and bicyclists will finally know that they are nearby. This regulation was made because EVs are very quiet when running at low speeds compared to the sounds of other car models in the market.
Several carmakers already offered artificial sounds on their existing EV models. Mitsubishi came up with a technology to increase the sound of Mitsubishi Outlander’s battery-driven engine so those who are near it can hear that it is already running. Meanwhile, Mercedes AMG collaborated with popular rock band Linkin Park to create distinctive sounds for the company’s EVs. On the other hand, Porshe is offering an upgrade to their Taycan sports car that can make the sound of its electric motor similar to a petrol engine.
Android-Powered EV
Polestar, formerly ran by Volvo, announced its second line of EVs that they aptly called the Polestar 2. The new five-door electric car is can run up to 310 miles (500km) using an 87kWh battery. It also features an all-wheel drive. But unlike the other existing EVs today, the upcoming Polestar 2 will be the first EV in the market that will be controlled exclusively by Android. It will be installed with a large 11-inch tablet that will take care of the Google Maps navigation. The operating system will also control the car’s entertainment as well.
Solar-Powered Luxury Car
A sun-powered car will soon cruise along the city roads once the GranStudio-designed Lightyear One prototype solar car comes out in stores. This limited-edition, high-end saloon will have solar panels on its roof and bonnet. This will enable the all-electric car to get even more power from nature. As long as there is enough solar energy, the car will have an additional 12km range boost that is enough to last for an hour. Moreover, it can charge by itself while parked under the heat of the sun.
More innovations in the electric vehicle market are expected to be announced by different makers in the coming months. These changes may encourage more consumers to consider switching to all-electric cars in exchange for their fuel-powered vehicles. Because of this, it will not be a surprise if the demand for EVs will begin to have a significant increase in the next few years.