Tesla Model S
The latest buzz on the electric car seems to be exactly when we’ll all be driving one. According to futurologist (coolest job title ever?) Dr. Ian Pearson, 2026 will be the year that electricity-fuelled cars will overtake petrol and diesel cars.
In research undertaken by green motoring organisation Go Ultra Low, 81 percent of 14-year-olds in Britain stated that they wanted their first car to be electric. In general, most participants were surprised that there weren’t more electric cars on the roads today.
“Young people are very aware of environmental issues and it is great that they also notice that electric cars will be cheaper to run, so it is a clear win-win,” says Dr Pearson. “These technology developments will all add up, greatly reducing the environmental impact of cars while making them safer and cheaper. Battery technology continues to improve, and the amount of resources needed to make an electric car will continue to fall. If current trends towards electric cars continue this means that, by 2026, demand for electric cars will almost certainly outweigh demand for ‘traditionally fuelled’ cars.”
However, it may take a lot of convincing for conventional motor enthusiasts to turn their back on typical muscle cars, likewise with companies such as Mister Auto, whose business is built on trading standard car parts. Yet as we’ve started seeing with the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, it may well be possible that the automobile industry as a whole will slowly start to integrate the electric car into its roster.
Keep in mind that electric cars can be cool as well. Aston Martin recently unveiled their RapidE S four-door sports saloon – expected sometime in 2017. Aston Martin CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said: “We see luxury electric vehicles as an intrinsic part of our future product portfolio and welcome […] the next phase of study for the project development. The exciting concept tangibly demonstrates the capability and ambition of Aston Martin towards developing low and zero emission sports cars.”
Canada Leading the Charge for the Electric Car
It appears that Canadians are incredibly enthusiastic and supportive of the electric revolution. Not only will the city of Montreal imminently receive over 100 charging stations, but a condo developer in Toronto is also offering a brand new Nissan Leaf to the first 20 buyers of a condo
Furthermore, Quebec has recently proposed a plan to spend $420 million by 2020 to increase sales of electric vehicles in the region. “Transportation electrification represents a way for Quebec to set itself apart by promoting important values such as respect for the environment, collaboration and knowledge as well as the desire to enhance the public’s prosperity and well-being,” said the province’s Ministry for Transport.
Approximately 5,000 to 6,000 electric vehicles are sold in Quebec each year, but the massive cash injection would be used for major changes to help electric car owners, such as fast-charge stations on main roads and closer proximity to offices and residential areas. The plan will also allow electric car motorists to drive in the carpool lane. In general, the proposal desires far more electric buses, trucks, and trains, as well as the government itself giving 1,000 electric cars to members by 2020.
