Date published: 27/02/24 All content in this article is intended to be general in nature and does not constitute and is not intended to be financial or professional advice.

But what makes an electric car an electric car beyond its… well, er, electronics? We’re here to dive deep into the futuristic features of the leccy car, exploring their minimalist interiors, their aerodynamics and all the bits and bobs that are steering us into the future.

We’re so used to the clunkiness of old school cars (think stumbling over the hump of a driveshaft tunnel) that the design of an electric car seems pretty out-of-the-box. But in reality, that’s what they’re here for. Electric vehicles aren’t just a stepping stone to the future – they’re the whole kit and caboodle. We’re already in the future, friends.

Since the start of EV ventures, automakers used existing car shapes and sizes to pop in electric powertrains where gas engines and transmissions were supposed to go. Other EV’s slid stacked batteries under the rear seat, forfeiting legroom and cargo space and putting the motor assemblies under the hood. Even today, our beloved Nissan Leaf follows old-school suit and carries the motor where an engine normally goes.

So while the tech was brand-spankin’ new and exciting, automakers agreed that the platform gave designers limited options for positioning the battery and motor. And that’s where it all changed. Since 2021, most new EV cars are built upon dedicated EV platforms similar to the flat-battery ‘skateboard’ layout that Tesla has used since the 2012 launch of the Model S.

With the battery facing the ground, there’s more room than ever inside a modern EV vehicle. Steffen Köhl, director of advanced exterior design at Mercedes-Benz says there’s a new opportunity to ‘give the car a totally new kind of proportion’.

“The underpinnings of an EV allow for bigger interiors in smaller vehicles. It can be cabin-forward, with short overhangs in front and rear. Since the battery is flat ground, we can try a new kind of interior—smooth panels, the centre console floating. There are no more ups and downs between the seats." Sounds pretty suave, right?

Good design isn’t just about looks – it’s about housing and making way for functionality, too. That’s why evolving electric car technology is making a scene on the design front. So how exactly does electric tech alter the design? Let’s get into it.

First things first, let’s talk minimalism. Using Polestar’s cars as an example, the materials used for the leccy design even scream minimalist. Made of carbon fibre, the components are estimated to be 50 per cent lighter than those made with aluminium and a whopping five times lighter than their steel counterparts – all the while offering better rigidity than any of them. Minimalism in every way, shape and form is paving the path for new design that feels better and looks better.

And what about the suave low-ness of the EV world? That’s shifted with leccy tech too. Having learned how to place batteries in a way that pulls off a low centre of gravity while still maintaining the sleekness of the cars we know and love, EV cars are well-known for their epic centres of gravity and their grip on the tar.

AERODYNAMICS

Aerodynamics is always on the fly – but for electric vehicles, it’s more important than ever. Thomas Wiegand, manager of aerodynamics R&D at Porsche, says that aerodynamics are important to counteract parasitic drag, which is a term that describes the air gripping the surface of the car and trying to slow it down.

LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS

Another feather in the cap for EV’s is their use of lightweight materials. Using materials that aren’t heavy and clunky can actually reduce the total cost of ownership for the driver. It also gives the driver an increased range with quicker acceleration, the need for less motor power and improved efficiency. Damn!

Well, now that we’ve learned the ropes above, it makes sense that all electric vehicles have a similar aesthetic. With most of the design going into catering for aerodynamics and efficiency, of course the general electric vehicle body shape is similar. Why know and love good tech and not build the framework to use it?

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