The next EV generation is beginning to look different

A move toward superior design

The first wave of EVs leaned more into a futuristic image to help make them stand out. While this was to be expected in a vehicle that has its sights on the future, it made motorists a bit wary about driving such a flashy, unusual vehicle. Thankfully, EVs have toned down the overall design to simply resemble a modern vehicle, regardless of how it is powered, as the goal is to be premium and versatile, without such an outlandish look.

The cleaner lines and simpler tech-filled interiors have helped to assure drivers that they’re not driving a car from the distant future, but have a vehicle that matches the times and requirements of the era we’re in now.

Perhaps the biggest reason for the transformation of the EV image is that of SUVs. The call for bigger family vehicles is loud and clear across the automotive industry, and now electric SUVs have become one of the faster-growing sectors of the market.

The smart #5 electric SUV, for instance, is one example that is focusing its attention on what modern drivers are searching for when it comes to an electric family vehicle. The improved cabin space fits the overall larger design, but it’s also the long-range capability and in-car tech that displays how far smart has come with changing perceptions of the EV.

A larger focus on practicality

Earlier EV models were often thought of as only suitable for shorter city trips and had basic, sparse interiors. However, the EVs we see on the roads in Britain today have a much stronger emphasis on catering toward bigger families as well as weekend travellers.

From increased cabin size to comfier seats to bigger boot capacity, modern EVs fit into everyday life and have slowly but surely become suitable for drivers searching for comfort and safety in a new family car.

It goes without saying that battery technology has seen a major improvement. Many EV naysayers would always point to range anxiety as a reason to never drive an electric car, but those concerns have been easing thanks to new developments.

The sheer amount of charging stations dotted across the UK has helped quell any issues with battery range, but it’s also the fact that chargers are so much faster and more efficient nowadays. This means that EVs can be charged overnight at home, but the battery can also be replenished at numerous fast-charging points when taking long-distance trips.

The next era for the modern EV

The push behind electric vehicles in the UK is only going to grow. Industry figures show that there are over two million EVs on British roads as of now, and projections suggest one in three new cars sold in the UK will be electric by 2027.

What’s more, manufacturers assure motorists that battery range will increase, charging infrastructure will improve, and in-car tech will get smarter and more efficient as the years progress. The question is no longer whether EVs are the future, but how fast they will become commonplace on UK roads.