On press day at the 2013 Montreal Internaional Auto Show, I was reminded of a fact that I’ve been well aware of for a while: Although a full-fledged certifiable petrol-sexual, gearhead, dye-in-the-wool carguy, my days are numbered. I’m a dinosaur.
It becomes all the more real when, at a medium-size auto show such as Montreal’s gig, all manner of anti-me technology-ladden cars oozing with futuristic bits are assembled under one roof.
As I perused the show floor, demo and real EV charging stations, displays on EV technology, numerous electric cars, hybrids and the like were everywhere. From the very small (like the smart fortwo electric drive) to the Nissan LEAF and others, it’s nearly impossible for consumers (the buying public) to ignore their existence.
As the years and months roll by, what was once considered the near future, is clearly now the present. Electric car charging stations are no longer a foreign idea as they can be found on a regular basis in the midst of our daily routines. We found out firsthand while completing our EV comparo test.
As well and as with most major auto shows in the World, sections or entire pavilions are dedicated to the technology, to this not-so-new way of life. Beyond that, save for an exception or two, most of those who will have wandered the halls of the Palais des Congres for the Montreal International Auto Show, or any other North American show, are likely to have noticed that small cars are taking bigger chunks of real estate in manufacturer booths.
EV technology is evolving at a rate of speed on par with all forms of electronics. A year ago, I would tell those who would listen to stall their EV purchases for a few years as supply and demand would bring initial costs down to a more affordable level. No need to wait anymore as the U.S.-built Nissan LEAF challenges the notion of overly priced and electric. As far as reliability is concerned, I wouldn’t be too worried…
We’ve also found out firsthand, on a number of occasions, that electric does not equal boring, either. And if electric is not your bag, know that a new study of the global auto industry's patent activity has revealed a 182% increase in patents related to alternative power and technologies since 2006. No need to fret then; that is, unless you’re me.
As for me, I’ll either have to keep my old Volkswagen Jetta until I croak or learn to live without doing oil changes…
It becomes all the more real when, at a medium-size auto show such as Montreal’s gig, all manner of anti-me technology-ladden cars oozing with futuristic bits are assembled under one roof.
As I perused the show floor, demo and real EV charging stations, displays on EV technology, numerous electric cars, hybrids and the like were everywhere. From the very small (like the smart fortwo electric drive) to the Nissan LEAF and others, it’s nearly impossible for consumers (the buying public) to ignore their existence.
As the years and months roll by, what was once considered the near future, is clearly now the present. Electric car charging stations are no longer a foreign idea as they can be found on a regular basis in the midst of our daily routines. We found out firsthand while completing our EV comparo test.
As well and as with most major auto shows in the World, sections or entire pavilions are dedicated to the technology, to this not-so-new way of life. Beyond that, save for an exception or two, most of those who will have wandered the halls of the Palais des Congres for the Montreal International Auto Show, or any other North American show, are likely to have noticed that small cars are taking bigger chunks of real estate in manufacturer booths.
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| Photo: Colin Styker |
EV technology is evolving at a rate of speed on par with all forms of electronics. A year ago, I would tell those who would listen to stall their EV purchases for a few years as supply and demand would bring initial costs down to a more affordable level. No need to wait anymore as the U.S.-built Nissan LEAF challenges the notion of overly priced and electric. As far as reliability is concerned, I wouldn’t be too worried…
We’ve also found out firsthand, on a number of occasions, that electric does not equal boring, either. And if electric is not your bag, know that a new study of the global auto industry's patent activity has revealed a 182% increase in patents related to alternative power and technologies since 2006. No need to fret then; that is, unless you’re me.
As for me, I’ll either have to keep my old Volkswagen Jetta until I croak or learn to live without doing oil changes…