Every automotive company has already a electric car, or announced one. But ist this the solution?
Here is a secret: NO! The history of electric cars started in London 1884! Electric cars were the preferred method for automobile propulsion in the late 19th century and early 20th century. One of the first hybrid came from Porsche, the Lohner-Porsche in 1899.
I do not want to write about why have wo switched to gasoline, when electric vehicles (EV) were providing a level of comfort and ease of operation that could not be achieved by the gasoline cars of the time.
Even the Tesla was NO innovation. The way how available technology was adapted and brought to “mass” market, is impressive. They will enter the history, cause they have proven that you don’t need to be a hundred years old automotive, that development does not need 10y+.
But still no innovation.
So by definition, something that was already there (and was forgotten) cannot be innovative. What we face here is just the technological evolution, the next logical step in mobility.
And here we go, IF all of them want to claim innovation for themselves, than a reinvention of mobility is needed.
Mobility as a Service!
No, not another car-sharing model, or Uber or anything else. Something new. A fast transport from A to B, without searching a parking space, refueling or recharging, or debates with a driver. What we need is a new concept of individual mobility. Smart self-moving “pods” that can pick you up and deliver in one piece at your destination. We don’t care if there are propellers on, wheels, tracks or a boat hull. Maybe something like the Pop.Up from Airbus but more than just this.
If they move individually or in a convoy to save up resources.
The future needs a new sustainable concept with inner-city cargo streetcars like the CarGoTram in Dresden. Vienna had also one in the past.
But these are just examples. To leave our carcentric approach, everyone who saw an American city from above knows what I mean, is good. Seeing the solid line of cars in a jam every morning, stop&go, just one driver in and rarely additional passengers… „We“ have messed up our mobility concept and now it’s time to fix it.
Selfdriving electric vehicles are inevitable to get our life quality back. Clean air – look at the recent developments and scandals, safe urban spaces – 20% of our urban environments is parking space, less noise and NO STRESS at the drivers seat.
I like this vision. IF I would like to drive by myself, well an automated truck can pick my toy-car and bring it to a speedway. Do we really need more?
