Imagine getting in your car to go to work, on the back seat. You open an app on your phone and press the button that will command your electric vehicle to autonomously and safely drive you to work — during which you may get a head start on emails, enjoy a massage, watch the morning news, or even resume your well-deserved sleep. This is a future only found in the pages of Sci-Fi books with the likes of Orson Scott Card, or their adaptations to the silver screen.
Historically, electric vehicles (or “EVs”) have been an unsustainable luxury primarily due to their range limitations and high prices, until now. We are quickly entering the modern electric vehicle era brought to us by the generational revolution that industry titans have been fighting for decades; and I for one, am beyond excited for the future of transportation. I have driven a Model S, and it is great! But Tesla is only the beginning. After its 5 year struggle and subsequent 10 year rocky path to success, Tesla has proven the industry that the world is ready for EVs. As such, every major player has an EV project in the pipelines. But today I want to write not of the plans of what we’ve seen before, but of what is to come: EV startups.
In the past few years there have been a number of EV startups showing up across California alone; including, but not limited to Lucid Motors, Canoo (formerly known as EVelozcity), and Faraday Future. Each of these startups promise to rethink the future of mobility the way Tesla once promised to rethink the combustion vehicle. Today, I am privileged to provide insights into one of these unreleased future vehicles. When I left my law firm job not too long ago, I had plenty of reasons to join a startup. However, the perks were not one of them. I did not even think of the perks that came with working at a startup until after I had joined. Sure, I enjoy being paid to eat pizza and drink beer while listening to the Department VP present on company updates as much as the next guy, but the ability to experience the future before anyone else, is something entirely different.
That, was exactly what happened this week. A select few of us were introduced to the latest and most complete gamma vehicle available. Then, we experienced it. First and foremost, it was fast, as in very fast. No, you’re not listening, it was a trip to the chiropractor fast. It was 0-60 in just over 2 seconds, but it felt like the blink of an eye (and it sounded like a spaceship). Then was its luxurious feel. With their premium materials and ergonomic design, the seats felt like a warm hug. Finally, there were the electronics, which reminded me of that old “Yo Dawg” meme originated from the even older MTV Pimp My Ride show with Xzibit. I could picture it clearly: “Yo Dawg, I heard you like screens, so I put screens in your screens so you can watch your stuff while you watch your stuff.” With screens in front of almost every seat, every seat was desirable, not to mention spacious. This EV will mark the end of “shotgun” and “not-in-the-middle!” There is no middle seat to begin with, only comfortable, internet-enabled, experiences. Fully inspired by the EV of tomorrow, my tour came to an end, and I sadly resigned myself to waiting at least one more year until I can purchase this EV on the market.
EVs are undoubtedly the future. They are environmentally friendly and can break our dependence on foreign oil, which incentivizes both ends of the political spectrum to embrace them. They are desirable, cost-efficient, and long-lasting, which places capitalism on their team. They are the future of autonomous, safe, ride-sharing, which is expected to reduce congestion on the streets and thus earns every Angelino’s attention. As such, everyone has a reason to look forward to the future, even if it is just to see the Sci-Fi books and movies we grew up with play out in real life before our very own eyes.
(Featured Image by: Kaique Rocha)
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