The future of the automotive industry is one that is quite remarkable. With the recent changes to cellular technology, it is only a matter of time before this transition happens with cars as well. With revolutionary companies such as Tesla leading the charge, the future of the automotive industry is due for great change. 

The Cars of Yesterday

We still have to understand where we currently are. Cars haven’t changed much over the past 30 years. Although things like longevity, technology, and quality may have improved, the concept remains the same. Over the last 7 years we have seen the most growth in the industry due to Tesla. The company launched its first model, the Model S, in 2013. The Model S was the first electric car that had over 200 miles of range. This was the first step towards a revolutionary change. Since the Model S was released, other manufacturers started production of their own electric vehicles. The last few years have seen the first few steps of growth, but this is truly nothing compared to the next 10 years.

The Cars of Tomorrow

Although many of us expected flying cars by now, unfortunately that will most likely not be the case. The first big difference we may find between the cars of today and those of 2030 is their names. 

Tesla, Apple, Dyson, and Google could become the most recognizable automotive brands of the future, just as Apple and Samsung have taken over a cell phone industry once dominated by Nokia and Blackberry. Companies such as Dyson, who are primarily known for their vacuums are entering the market for cars as they too realize the tremendous potential of the industry. 

Another large change that we will witness will be in the interior of a vehicle. Cars’ interiors are often more versatile. With some allowing color, illumination, privacy, and layout to be personalized at the touch of a button. A multi-functional space that can be converted into a lounge, an office and even a bedroom is predicted by Volvo’s recent 360c concept car. 

The last, and most important, concept is the question of gas or electricity. We will know change is here when there are fast charging stations every 60-100 miles on all roads, and Tesla’s supercharging network does that. With Britain’s ban on gas-powered cars by 2030 and California’s deadline of 2035, the future is quite bright for electric vehicles. The list of new electric vehicles being designed is endless and gives not only a change for the car industry but also good news for our environment. 

A Car-Less Future Won’t Happen

Due to the great strides that the car industry has made and will continue to make, cars will never be obsolete. According to Prairie Ridge’s own industry expert, Autos teacher Mr. Agolli, “There has been talk in the industry about creating a car share program instead of individuals owning their own car.” This type of innovation would be great for people who cannot afford a car or are unable to drive. He goes on to say that the system would work much like a Netflix subscription. 

The car is an essential part of daily life and transportation for many. To see such a drastic change would require centuries worth of innovation as well as reform. The cost of breaking down roads across the globe would be far more costly than simply innovating the car. 

However, the one way to change that is with underground travel. To speed up transport across the town, a company, owned by Elon Musk, is building a network of tunnels beneath Las Vegas. The idea for Musk is to populate the tunnels with all-electric vehicles (AEVs) from Tesla, ensuring that commuters will fly miles underground at impressive speeds. 

Musk is already constructing a shuttle underneath the Las Vegas Convention Center, where visitors will be transported between exhibition halls by Tesla AEVs. These shuttles were granted permission to carry up to 16 passengers at a time, with up to 62 vehicles concurrently in service. “Going underground makes sense and many cities have vast tunnel networks beneath heavily populated areas…” says Aurecon’s tunnelling expert Tom Ireland. 

The futuristic ideas such as fully automated vehicles, or underground tunnels could eventually be the way the world travels, but for the foreseeable future cars will be our primary source of transportation.