It’s the 90s. In Norway. In a weird yet wonderful turn of events, lead singer of 80s synth-pop band A-Ha, Morton Harket, is slowly but surely becoming a heavy hitter in the drive towards an electric future. 

Cruising around Oslo in a converted electric Fiat with environmentalist Frederic Hauge, the two refused to pay the city’s exorbitant road tolls, collected parking fines at every stop along the way and ignored every penalty notice thrown at them. 

Advocating for electric vehicles to be exempt from the same tolls that applied to their gasoline counterparts, the stunt caught the media frenzy and their goal became reality. Since 1997, electric cars have been exempt from road tolls. 

It’s an amusing (mildly unbelievable) yet powerful move that undoubtedly contributed to Norway’s position as ground zero for the electric vehicle revolution. Its fleet of plug-ins is the largest in the world per capita so it makes sense for ambitious Chinese manufacturers to use the Nordic region to test the waters in the West. 

China’s gamble on cobalt (the mineral needed to cool lithium batteries) has led to a decades-long monopoly on an increasingly vital element to electric transport. 

Owning 15 of the 19 cobalt mines in the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) has obviously given Chinese manufacturers a huge advantage in terms of resource and expense which they’re now ready to capitalise on.

Nio, BYD, Xpeng and a slew of others are dipping their toes in the American and European EV markets, creating dedicated websites and marketing campaigns to appeal to the Western consumer and compete with established automotive brands in the other half of the world. 

As a business fascinated by behavioural changes in HNWI and a vested interest in automotive – which now distinctly includes electric vehicles – we’re evaluating how established engineering brands can stand their ground in an increasingly saturated market.

The Sexy Clean Energy Solution

Solutions to the energy crisis is a time-consuming and thought-provoking pursuit, investing further in public transport to reduce the presence of cars altogether and therefore emissions is one widely-supported option. As is incentivising walking or cycling and weekend vehicle-restrictions in cities. 

So although electric vehicles aren’t the only solution to the energy crisis, they are definitely one of the sexiest. 

And the infrastructure is finally coming. 

Thanks to their environmental benefits, low running costs and models becoming better and more innovative than ever, approximately 145 million EVs will grace the world’s tarmac by 2030, compared to a mere 10 million now. 

How to become the majority in that vast number is what automotive brands are racing to figure out. One way is distinctive, revolutionary, experiential design – a space that seems divinely carved out for luxury brands to fill.

Revved-Up Design

NIO

Despite unanimous acceptance that EV charging is only going to get quicker, brands who are accelerating that fact are unsurprisingly more appealing to the convenience culture consumer. 

NIO, a manufacturer of ‘smart electric vehicles’, is approaching charging in an alternative way. Instead of a plug-in process, vehicles can visit Battery Swap Stations – transforming the recharge into a 3-minute operation instead of a 30-minute one. 

The Chinese brand has also integrated the world’s first in-vehicle AI. 

NOMI, a small machine with eyes attached to the dash of NIO’s models, goes beyond standard infotainment, navigation functions and other user assistance. 

Creating ‘a more personable, immersive user experience’, the intelligent assistant can stream a playlist based on your mood or snap a selfie on command. And these features will become increasingly optimised as autonomous vehicles become the future.

XPENG

‘Responding to your world; Preempting your needs; Moving with your life.’ 

Three quite powerful claims that emphasise XPENG’s human-centric brand positioning and their objective to reassign importance in automotive from hardware to smart, people-first mobility. 

A tech company at heart, XPENG model features range from an intelligent voice assistant and extensive app ecosystem to 360° panoramic vision and intuitive driver assistance. 

Designed solely for the human experience, they’re occupying a space in the EV market that others are vying for as the industry shifts with the modern mindsets of luxury consumers. One to watch out for. 

Hyundai

Korean manufacturer Hyundai is also taking their EV offering from 0-100. 

Already competing in the luxury market with their offshoot Genesis, the brand’s IONIQ 5 model is perhaps its most impressive and a strong contender among EVs. But with the IONIQ 7 concept car being teased, there’s plenty of room for endless innovation.

As the driving experience becomes more streamlined and autonomous, design is becoming sleeker and less restrictive. 

The centre console which usually houses a lot of structure and features exclusive to gasoline vehicles is being significantly pared-back or removed entirely. 

The IONIQ 7’s interior design symbolises a much more social, relaxing space than current models, acting as a living space instead of the conventional single-function vehicle – a perfect example of these shifting priorities in tandem with advancing tech and consumer preferences. 

‘Anyone who focuses solely on the technology has not yet grasped how autonomous driving will change our society. The car is growing beyond its role as a mere means of transport and will ultimately become a mobile living space.’ 

– Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG & Head of Mercedes-Benz

Accelerate your status in the sector and discuss with us how we work with timeless luxury brands to provide brand strategy, digital experience design and innovation consultancy. Please get in touch via [email protected] to arrange a time to speak with our team of consultants about our services.