Technology in cars has come a long way since its inception. From steam engines to diesel and then to gasoline, and finally electric vehicles, automotive tech has made great strides toward progress and innovation. Cars have significantly improved over the years, allowing has to enjoy a better rider, improved fuel efficiency, and hassle-free rides. But there is always room for improvement. Therefore, engineers and technicians continue to work around the clock to make those improvements that will ultimately refine our driving experience.
Manufacturers continue to look for ways to improve their products and incorporate the latest tech and features into their vehicles, which ultimately means better sales figures and revenue. Even though the pace of scientific innovation and discovery has slowed down since the 1960s, there seems to be no end in sight to innovation when it comes to automotive technology; it continues to improve over the passage of time, the running cost of the vehicles has reduced significantly, and drivers are becoming less and less engaged with their cars, which in turn all adds to more comfortable driving experience and less hectic rides.
In this enormous sea of inventions, some are the most prominent and significant. One of the most significant is the “reinvention” of modern electric cars. There is a reason why electric cars are called reinvented because they were invented long ago. In the late 19th century, the first practical electric car was made, but it did not take long for gasoline cars to replace electric vehicles. At that time, EV cars were not practical; battery technology at that time meant that those vehicles were not able to drive on long routes and charge at a decent time. But thanks to advances in battery technology and the push for green energy, electric vehicles are now rapidly becoming mainstream vehicles.
Rise of EV vehicles:
With the invention of lithium-ion batteries in the late 20th century, the prospects for electric cars began to look more and more promising. It wasn’t until the debut of the tesla model S in the last decade in 2012 that EV cars started to gain popularity and began receiving fanfare. The popularity of Tesla made other automotive manufacturers realize the idea that EV cars are now the future, and it is high time to invest in this technology.
Tesla Model S
Over the course of the last decade, numerous companies have started investing in EV car plants and focusing on green energy. But the forerunner in this race is Tesla; the company has the advantage of being the first entrant and holds the record for most EV vehicle sales in the USA.
Governments around the world are trying to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and vehicles are one such area that contributes most to greenhouse gases. This problem has given rise to electric vehicles since they don’t release any toxic fumes. The sales of EV vehicles are in part due to the support of the government; government grants make such vehicles affordable for a wide portion of the public, otherwise, since the technology is relatively new, it’s expensive, but the costs are gradually coming down.
What’s Changed?
Electric vehicles are not just a recent phenomenon; they were invented long ago. Since then, battery technology has come a long way, and with electricity getting cheaper with the passage of time, EV cars are becoming more and more relevant. The invention of lithium-ion batteries combined with advanced manufacturing techniques has enabled companies to squeeze out more range and charge the batteries in lesser time.
Another factor responsible that has made EV cars the best tech innovation in the recent decade or so is the global push to cut greenhouse gases in order to hamper the effects of global warming. Charging such vehicles with renewable energy resources has made them pollution-free, though there are some reprehensions regarding the mining process of elements used in making these vehicles.
The electric vehicle generally has a number of advantages over internal combustion engines. They have much fewer moving parts, which reduces their maintenance cost. Also, they provide super quick acceleration since no gear shift is involved. All the torque is instant. They can also be charged at home using a regular power supply or solar panels, unlike ICE cars that need to be refilled at gas stations.
EV vehicles currently at the sale:
Tesla being the first entrant in this industry has been offering EV vehicles for sale for quite some time; their first mainstream car is the Tesla Model S which debuted in 2012. Other manufacturers failed to catch up with the pace of Tesla, but they are now rapidly coming up with new models.
Tesla Model 3
BMW has been offering its i8 and i3s models in several countries, and they have been around for a good period of time. To check more specs of these models. Porsche recently launched its hyped EV vehicle Taycan; the car made news worldwide due to its excellent performance and since it is the first EV car from Porsche. Though the Taycan’s performance was second to none, it falls behind Tesla model S in terms of range and charging time. 
China is one such country that has been involved in this development. They use many small electric cars and have gained expertise in this area. Numerous Chinese brands have stepped up their production of electric vehicles and are now entering new international markets. Morris Garages, also known as MG, is one such company that offers electric vehicles; its MG ZS is currently on sale in several countries. Its reasonable price, good quality, and decent range make it a good option for buyers looking to buy their first EV car.
BMW i3
Besides the aforementioned vehicles, numerous other electric vehicles are currently on sale. Audi, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Honda, Ford, and GM have models currently on sale or are planning to introduce such models in the near future.
Room for Improvement:
Electric cars, though, have come a long way since their birth, but certain areas need a lot of improvement. These areas are also why EVs are taking their time to become mainstream vehicles.
Tesla fast charger
Charging infrastructure really needs to be upgraded; at present, there are a few charging stations compared to the number of cars. Charging time needs improvement; ICE cars usually refill in less than 5 minutes, whereas electric vehicles take much longer than five minutes.
Although relatively cheaper than before, battery technology is still a bit expensive for a majority of consumers; the majority of the countries where electric vehicles have succeeded are because of governmental grants. The resale value of these vehicles is also quite low, apart from the Tesla Model 3, which has a comparatively better resale value.
Hot and cold weather also affects the battery range and the car’s performance, manufacturers are coming up with new technology to curb this flaw, and work has been done in this regard.
Prospects:
The future prospect of this most amazing innovation of the last decade looks promising. Nearly every car manufacturer has put their weight behind this technology, and the possibility of affordable EV cars in the near future looks bright. Governments are working on making the charging infrastructure more and more widespread, and the private sector is helping the public sector in this regard. There remain no question marks as to whether EV technology will be the future of the automotive industry or not.
