Will Electric Vehicles Keep the Thrill Alive for Driving Purists?

Can the Electric Revolution Capture the Soul of Driving?

It is safe to say that electric vehicles aren’t going anywhere. They have grasped a firm corner on the market, judging by the volume on the road and the amount of infrastructure support they have secured. But here’s the million (or multi-billion) dollar question: are they actually cool? As in, will they ever win over the hard-core muscle car crowd? My heart says no, but I could also totally be missing the narrative altogether. 

I mean, it is hard to get over the sound of a big block V-8 revving (or a small-block but let’s be real: big blocks are way sexier), the smell of gasoline and exhaust, and just the overall loud brashness of gas powered muscle cars. But…EVs offer performance that is really hard to match. But is that alone enough to keep the thrill alive for purists? 

Will this ever be the future of muscle cars?

The Evolution of Driving Thrills

Brief overview of the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids. These are nothing new at this point, although EVs have certainly become a lot more common. There are quite a few hybrids on the market but let’s be for real: nobody remembers any of them besides the Prius. The Toyota Prius is the quintessential hybrid. But do you remember how far back they go? 

I didn’t. 

Toyota debuted their original hybrid in 1997, and the first exports were all the way back 2000. That’s right, the Gen II Prius first hit the market almost 25 years ago. They looked almost identical to the Echo. Now, the Prius wasn’t the first hybrid to hit North America; actually, the Honda Insight was the first, but the Prius is way more…iconic? I guess that’ll have to do. 

But nobody is talking about driving thrills with a Prius. There were a few other hybrids that did alright which also had more guts like the Chevrolet Silverado’s and Tahoe’s. These first forays into EVs were mostly out of necessity because there wasn’t any real infrastructure to support pure EVs. If you were driving from, say, Denver going east, there isn’t really any support on that stretch if you ran out of juice. So, the hybrid worked well because it did substantially increase the range of these vehicles and made them viable for road tripping. Run on battery when you are sitting in rush hour traffic, but gas when you need it and to recharge the battery pack. Not a bad idea. 

But EVs are heavy. The battery is huge and weighs a lot, and mixing it up with a gas system adds even more weight and a lot more complexity. A strictly electrical vehicle can reduce the complexity, reduce the weight, and add crazy amounts of performance.  

What Driving Purists Value Most

But what do driving purists really value the most? Is it performance? Is it aesthetics? Or is it even more than that. Here are a few of our humble observations. 

Manual Transmissions are Just Plain Fun

Okay, first off I already know the cases that can be made for an automatic transmission in modern sports cars. But stick shifts are way more fun and there is nothing you can do about it. There is no practical way (or maybe anyway at all) to connect a stick shift to an electric car. I’m sure there is some way to simulate the effect of a stick shift, but we all know that isn’t the same thing. 

Engine Roar and Exhaust Notes

There is nothing more pure than that thrum of an idling V-8 that has been tuned and built to perfection. It just sounds so sweet. 

Raw Handling and Driver Engagement

I think I have to kind of depart from reciprocating cars on this one. There is no way a car can match the handling of all-wheel drive cars, especially those with multiple motors to equalize traction and control. This one definitely goes to Tesla. Well, for traction anyway. Is it as fun as burning out? No. But tires are pricey so it’s probably for the best. 

How EVs Are Redefining Driving Thrills

Look, I don’t really think you can compare the two different types of vehicles because they are something totally different. 

Instant Torque and Acceleration

The Tesla Model S Plaid hits 60 mph in under two seconds. Let that sink it for a minute. 30 mph in less than a second. I mean, this thing is insane, Over 1,000 ft. lbs of torque and over 1,000 horsepower as well. This is the exception and not the rule, but these are examples of what can be. It would take an unbelievable power plant in a sedan to replicate these numbers, and it’s hard to imagine it would be able to hold the road like an AWD sedan can. 

Advanced Handling Features in EVs

Direct drive transmissions make handling smooth as silk in EVs, and they are able to operate using direct drive when an internal combustion vehicle simply cannot. IC cars must use the complex serieses of gears in the transmission and in the differential to create an environment that maximizes the power bands and torque curve native to all IC engines. It’s just the way it is. 

Simulated Sounds and Customization Options

I’m sorry, and this is just the author’s opinion, but simulated sounds are a cry for help. Look, you are driving a Tesla (or whatever EV you choose, but these are the most prominent) so go with it! It is not going to be loud. It will never sound like a big block. But if you just gotta have it, the market will surely provide. I mean, we are stuck with Snuggies and nobody asked for those, either. 

Challenges for EVs in Winning Over Driving Purists

There are two major drawbacks we see in winning over the IC crowd. 

• Lack of tactile feedback and connection.

• Concerns about range and weight.

There isn’t much you can do about tactile feel and connection. You can’t go out and wrench on a Tesla. But, if you are at that price point, wrenching on it might not be that big of a deal anyway. 

The Model S Plaid only ways a little over 4,000 lbs, so while not a lightweight these things aren’t crazy heavy anymore. As for range? With each no iteration of EVs, every generation will have better range and the charging process will get faster with every successive generation. 

But ultimately, at the end of the day, it is all about personal preference. Do you like performance and don’t really care about the sound of an internal combustion engine? An EV is great, especially its range isn’t a huge issue. But if you travel a lot, or live in extremely cold climates, you may want to reconsider. EVs don’t do great in extreme cold. This will most likely be remedied someday, but that day is not today. 

Final Thoughts: Are EVs A New Era for Driving Enthusiasts? 

So, can EVs keep the American spirit alive? I don’t see why not. Different people want different things. I’m being totally serious when I say that if speed were my bottom line, sign me up for that Plaid. But that is not everyone’s cup of tea. The answer is…inconclusive. It is the logical evolutionary progression for some people, while others will never, ever adopt it. And that’s fine! That’s what makes America great. 

And whether you want an internal combustion supercar, or a quiet, smooth, and silky EV, you can register either one in Montana through Dirt Legal. You will also probably save a bunch of money when you do.