Have you ever wondered what cars might be like in ten or twenty years time? If you have, then this post might be for you. We take a look at how they are evolving and what it means for the future of driving.
So, what’s coming up? What do we expect the next evolution in vehicles to be?
Subscription-Based Usage
If cars continue to become more expensive for the average person, then we could see a shift to subscription-based ownership. The idea here is to provide people with access to vehicles as long as they pay the subscription. This fee includes all of the usual vehicle expenses, negating the need for the driver to manage them themselves.
What’s nice about this approach is that it shows just how much the price of car ownership is. The owner can see exactly what they are spending on their vehicle every month and use that to work out their budget and whether they can afford it.
Already, some big car brands are piloting this approach. Volvo and Mazda both say that they want these options to be available before the end of the decade.
Vehicle-To-Grid Integration
Vehicle-to-grid integration is another development that is going to change the future. The idea here is to turn cars into part of the electricity grid in some cities, allowing renewables to work better.
The basic idea is to essentially use car batteries as an energy storage system. During the day, parked cars can load up with energy and then discharge it in the evening when solar panels aren’t running.
This concept is a way to reduce the burden on public facilities. Instead of installing giant battery plants, the notion is to use the existing batteries in circulation more efficiently for better outcomes over time.
Again, pilot programs are underway. Vehicle-to-grid, where cars send electricity to the grid during periods of high demand, is already being trialled in Japan and Europe.
Augmented Reality Dashboards
Augmented reality dashboards are another technology that is going to shape the future of vehicles. These displays will change how drivers interact with their vehicles, providing them with handy overlays to make collisions less likely.
For example, AR systems could add hazard alerts and navigation support. They could also boost safety and immersion, improving the driving experience substantially.
These AR systems are already being trialled by a lot of the big names in the auto space. The technology is still developing, but it will likely be ready in the next few years for prime time.
Modular Designs
We already saw an attempt to make phones modular a few years ago, reducing accusations of “planned obsolescence.” However, the same idea is now making its way into the car industry. More automakers are looking at the possibility of allowing owners to swap parts in and out to make vehicles last longer.
The main reason for this would be to replace the battery. The idea is to allow it to slide out easily and swap it for a new one. However, it could be extended to other parts on EVs, since their designs are far simpler than regular ICEs.
Cynics will say that all vehicles are modular because they all need to be serviceable. However, true modular cars would have parts that could be replaced or even upgraded with the latest options and designs.
Sustainable Materials
Sustainable materials will also likely play a significant role in the future of vehicles. A lot of cars will probably have interiors made of plant-based leathers and recycled plastics.
The reason for this is obvious: many companies want to appear green. They don’t want customers to perceive them as polluting the planet.
How much this trend will take off in the vehicle industry depends on culture going forward. However, the changes could be extreme, depending on the views of tomorrow’s car owners.
Big brands are already making pledges in this direction. For instance, BMW and Ford say that they will incorporate many of these concepts into their regular vehicle production by 2040.
Connected Cars
Connected cars are already a reality today, but they will become even more common and popular in the future. The idea here is to bring cars online via 5G and the IoT.
Connected vehicles, though, will be doing more than simply playing drivers’ Spotify playlists. They’ll be talking to the environment around them in ways that help drivers.
For example, smart cities might be able to organize cars to reduce traffic. They might also have algorithms that allow them to reduce accidents by learning how traffic operates and then making changes to lights and signals.
Hydrogen Vehicles
Another possible development could be hydrogen vehicles. Hydrogen is more challenging to manage than regular fossil fuels, but it burns clean and the only exhaust is water.
Hydrogen is something that a lot of Japanese carmakers have been looking into recently. The idea is to replace regular ICE vehicles before oil runs out, and to combat climate change.
Toyota and Hyundai are the current market leaders, but the ability to scale the hydrogen ecosystem is limited. Currently, the methods for producing hydrogen from water are expensive. However, breakthroughs in mining technology could change all this.
EV Dominance
Finally, the future of cars appears to be EV dominance. The idea here is that electric vehicles will become the main type of car that people buy, with reductions in ICE and hybrids.
In fact, the idea that EVs should be dominant has already been built into the rules of many countries. Many are actually banning the sale of regular ICE vehicles after 2035 or 2040, though whether they will stick to these plans remains to be seen.
Ultimately, the future of vehicles is looking exciting. Whether full autonomy will emerge in the future remains an open question, but it is clear that the industry won’t be standing still. It’ll be changing, probably just as fast as it has been over the last twenty years. Who knows where we’ll be by the middle of the century.
This is a Take to the Road Collaborated Post
