The way car manufacturers have dealt with electric vehicles has long been comparable with completing an unpopular homework assignment. Driven by the stricter CO2regulations, vehicles were developed as compulsory projects, which often left little room for excitement or inspiration. For some manufacturers, however, this attitude has seemed to change – just because we have to do something doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it.
Volkswagen for example, announced an electric reissue of the minibus T1 (title picture), which shows that VW is fully committing when it comes to communicating electromobility. The almost legendary vehicle is an important part of the corporate identity of the company. If this piece of company history is now also offered in an electric version, it is a good sign that battery electric vehicles are no longer only developed out of necessity – but because they are damn sexy.
This statement is furthermore supported by models such as the Porsche Taycan, which is finally no longer a Porsche with a hidden electric drive, but confidently presents itself as an electric sports car.
Electric driving is fun – and not just in the premium segment. Anyone who has ever pressed the accelerator on a Renault Zoe will confirm that.
In one of the world’s largest industries, an awareness is slowly developing that we at aoty have shared for a long time: Yes, we have to become more sustainable. But above all we want it. We should stop seeing the change in our economy as a burden left behind by the previous generations. It is the challenge and the privilege of our generation to face a task which has a solution that will soon bring a lot of joy.
VW has taken a good first step with the electric T1. It is now time that other manufacturers take a similar route and include electromobility in their DNA.