Introducing a new series, The Man Cave, where our two correspondents will explore lifestyle and tech topics from a man’s point of view on one Sunday a month.
The typical car ownership journey for most guys is a “beater” car, followed by a hot rod, and ultimately transitioning to a family vehicle.
This is something I understand personally, as “Car Guy” runs in my blood. My father courted my mother in a candy-apple red ’67 Chevelle SuperSport, and later owned a dragster that he raced on weekends. He was always tinkering under the hood of our family car, but with the expansion of technology into electronic vehicles (EVs) and “driverless cars,” I can’t help but wonder what he would think about it.
Car Tech: The Evolution
EVs and “driverless cars” are no longer just for environmentalists or tech enthusiasts – they have become mainstream. Global sales of EVs now account for nearly 20% of total car sales worldwide, and the market for AVs is expected to increase from nearly $14 billion to $37 billion in the next five years.
Car Tech: The Upsides
For Car Guys, there are several benefits to EVs and AVs. They are cheaper, quieter, and better for the environment. EVs produce zero emissions, while AV systems result in fewer traffic jams and unnecessary fuel consumption. Additionally, some EVs/AVs qualify for federal and state tax incentives at purchase, and the high-tech dashboards are appealing to many.
Car Tech and Car Guys
EVs and AVs provide independence for disabled and older drivers, and also come with additional features such as heated seats, backup cameras, and parking assistance. Many Car Guys appreciate the reduced maintenance worries and the additional bells and whistles that come with these vehicles.
On The Other Hand…
Despite their benefits, car technology also has downsides. EVs and AVs are pricier than conventional cars, and there are concerns about limited battery life and the need for charging stations, as well as issues related to control, privacy, and hacking.
Given these considerations, the verdict on the newest car technologies remains divided among many, including myself. My dad would have missed the tinkering, but the community of tinkerers is finding innovative ways to repurpose discarded EV/AV batteries, which he would have appreciated.
Your Turn
What’s your verdict on the newest car technologies? And would you take a road trip with an EV or an AV? Let us know in the comments!
Shawn Westfall: A US Air Force veteran and a nationally recognized performer and teacher of improvisational comedy, Shawn Westfall has worked as a journalist, as the fiction editor of the Hawaii Review, and as an award-winning advertising copywriter. He won the Bazzanella Award for short fiction; his work has appeared in Roll Call, Honolulu Weekly, and The San Antonio Express-News, among other places.
Top photo: Ivan Kurmyshov – stock.adobe.com
