When you think of electric vehicles (EVs), the following features spring to mind: long charging processes, a tiny Japanese automobile named after a type of plant, limited mileage range, eerie silence in place of the thunderous roar of pistons and flames, an odd real-life version of Iron Man called Elon Musk, and perhaps somewhere near the bottom near the bottom of the list; things like fuel-economy and the environment. These things aren’t all that exciting or particularly appealing, but is it time to start seeing things in a different way?
If you ask Porsche, then the answer’s probably yes.
The New Kid on The Block – Porsche Taycan
The German automakers have been teasing their all-new, all-electric four-door Taycan debuts for months to begin afresh in a new front for the automobile industry. Now, their prototypes are putting out the word in a big way, recently one-upping Mr. Musk by achieving the fastest four-door, all electric Nürburg
With the Taycan release expected in mid-September, certain statistics and figures are emerging to really pique the interest of petrol (or should that be battery?) aficionados all around the world. Porsche has claimed a 3.0-second 0-60mph time, 10.2 seconds from 0-124 mph, a top speed of 155
The Taycan is also a Porsche, which has its advantages. It’s also an exceptionally gorgeous vehicle with a beautiful design and some of the world’s best engineering, as well as an impressively clever 800v electrical setup that generates less heat in the wiring and motors for a more consistent and dependable performance over extended periods of time. The Taycan
On the whole, it appears that Porsche is in the forefront when it comes to treating electric vehicles seriously among established auto manufacturers. The recent debut of the Porsche 99x Electric generated worldwide acclaim for its stunning design and space-age new appearance, while the 919 Hybrid Le Mans winning race car has also set a new overall Nürburgring lap record.
So, what about the competition?
Keeping Up with The Teslas
Tesla is the industry’s go-to name when it comes to electric vehicles, having dominated the market for years. In 2017, Tesla released the Model 3 as a four door, five seated family vehicle with a 5-star safety rating. This is a car with a twist, however, since it offers sports-car acceleration, handling and performance while being affordable to “anyone looking to buy a new car” according to Musk, at around £30,000 for the standard range model.
It’s all well and good but it’s not exactly setting the world alight, (obviously, as it’s electric), with its design and less than the impressive exterior. Even with a nifty on board computer where you can set fart noises off from any seat and even set up a digital log fire on the dash, for some reason, the car’s design doesn’t look like anything all that special. In all honesty, it’s a little soulless. This automobile does not have the wow factor that a Porsche Cayman GT4, Carrera, or even a Cayenne or Macan would.
However, the second-generation Tesla Roadster is planned to debut in 2020 and could alter that. With a stated 0-60 mph time of 1.9 seconds and a top speed of 220 mph, this all-electric four-door three engine all-wheel drive monster with a reported 620-mile range may revolutionize an ever-changing game.
But let’s hold off on getting too excited until we see how that one pans out. Musk is notorious for over-promising and going slightly overboard from time to time, so take his claims with a grain of salt.
With Tesla’s technology seemingly catching up with its ambition, and with European and worldwide governments reducing emissions to encourage the automobile industry to convert from fossil fuels to electric, we’ve all been waiting for the bigger car brands to hop on board and start offering a genuine alternative to Tesla.
Moving forward, the Porsche Taycan is likely to do it, implying that the game will only get more exciting and other firms will have to join in or be left behind.
Should I Get an EV?
In the future it’s likely that all cars will be electric vehicles, or at least hybrids, but I think we’re getting a little carried away for the moment.
It’s wonderful to have a brand-new Tesla Model 3 that glides down the road silently, disregarding inflationary petrol costs since they no longer affect you. But what about the classics?
Look at the Porsche 911 or Boxster, for example. Yes, they use up precious fossil fuels that are vital to the survival of our planet and future generations… But just look at them. They’re stunning. These vintage vehicles may soon be gone from the pages of history, but right now, right this second, you can rejoice in the fact that you are alive to appreciate one of the most beautiful pieces of engineering to ever grace the automobile industry.
What better way to express your passion, nostalgia, or excitement than with a personal registration plate? Let’s face it; you wouldn’t put tomato ketchup on a Michelin-starred lobster dinner, so why settle for anything less when it comes to your car’s number plate?
National Numbers is a one-stop shop for customised number plates in the UK, with over 1,200 distinct combinations to choose from for every motorist, whether it’s a 911 or Boxster. Your initials or something hilarious; National Numbers has everything you need and can provide you with a personalised number plate over the phone or online.