The electric vehicle industry is constantly evolving, and now that it’s worth more than $208 billion, it’s bound to evolve much faster now. New technologies are being developed and adopted at a rapid pace, which means that there are always new trends to be on the lookout for. Here are some of the most promising electric vehicle trends that we can expect to see in 2023.
1. Increased Range
One of the biggest concerns for early adopters of electric vehicles was range anxiety; that is, the fear that the battery would run out of juice before reaching the destination. This is no longer a valid concern for most electric vehicle owners, as batteries have gotten much better at holding a charge. In 2023, we can expect to see even more progress in this area, with electric vehicles boasting ranges of up to 500 miles on a single charge.
2. Faster Charging Times
Another drawback of early electric vehicles was the length of time it took to charge the battery. This was due to the fact that early batteries were not very efficient at storing energy. However, battery technology has come a long way in recent years, and charging times have decreased significantly as a result. In 2023, we can expect charging times to be even shorter, and this might even arrive sooner than we expect; researchers from the Pennsylvania State University have made a breakthrough that would allow batteries to charge up to full in 10 minutes. This is especially important in the full phase-out of gas-powered cars in favor of electric vehicles since there is not enough raw material in the world to replace every gas-powered car with an electric car that has a massive power storage capacity.
3. More Affordable Prices
Electric vehicles have historically been more expensive than their gasoline-powered counterparts. This is due to the high cost of batteries and other components required to build an electric vehicle. However, as electric vehicle technology has become more advanced, prices have begun to come down. In 2023, we can expect to see even more affordable electric vehicles on the market, with some models priced competitively with gasoline-powered cars.
4. Ease of Repair
Electric vehicles are becoming more popular each year, and as the industry grows, so does the demand for reliable and affordable repairs. In 2023, we can expect to see a growing number of auto repair shops that are equipped to handle electric vehicle repairs. These shops will have the necessary tools and training to quickly and efficiently diagnose and repair any issue with an electric vehicle. This will be a welcome change for electric vehicle owners, who have often had to take their car to a specialty shop in order to get it repaired properly. With more auto shops offering electric vehicle repairs, owners will have more options when it comes time to get their car fixed.
5. More Features
Electric vehicles are becoming more and more advanced, with new features being added all the time. In 2023, we can expect to see even more advanced features in electric vehicles, including pass-through storage, outlets, and wireless charging.
Pass-through Storage
Pass-through storage is basically storage that is open to both sides of the vehicle, the same way an SUV’s passenger seats are. For a clearer example, look at the Rivian R1T’s “Gear Tunnel.” Features like this would be great especially on electric SUVs and sedans, giving owners a bit more space and a couple more ways to store long cargo.
Outlets
While many electric vehicles have the same auxiliary power outlets as gas-powered cars, this kind of design severely limits the kind of things you can use. Some electric vehicles and gas-powered cars also have USB ports, but these still limit users to devices that have a USB cable. However, future modern vehicles will have 110-volt or 220-volt outlets depending on where they are sold. This is great since this allows owners to use basically anything they can use at home. It makes sense too since electric vehicles have a giant battery capable of storing enough energy for driving—a coffee maker or an electric stove surely won’t be too much load for it. This improvement is perfect for future electric SUVs and pick-up trucks since these types of vehicles are the one most popular for backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Wireless Chargers
Phones have wireless chargers, so why shouldn’t electric vehicles? It makes more sense with electric vehicles, too—with a phone, you can’t really use it while it’s charging wirelessly, at least not comfortably. WIth an electric vehicle, you can’t really charge while driving even with the charging cable, so wireless stations don’t feel too off. It also eliminates the risk of forgetting to charge your car, especially if the wireless charger is installed in your garage or in parking slots. In fact, if the world is going to completely eliminate gas-powered cars and shift to electric vehicles, the world will need way more electric charging stations—what better place to install them than in parking spaces?
Final Thoughts
The electric vehicle industry is rapidly evolving and there are always new trends to be on the lookout for. These are just a few of the most promising trends that we can expect to see in 2023. As battery technology continues to improve and prices continue to fall, we can only expect the popularity of electric vehicles to increase.
