Where We're Going, We Don't Need Roads

Tesla's new Cybertruck concept looks a bit of a marmite
design. You're either going to love it or hate it.

 I've never really been a massive supporter of electric cars. The arguments against electric cars or anything heavily reliant on battery technology for that matter, should be obvious to anyone even vaguely au fait with ecological concerns.

Firstly, where is the power coming from? Its no good claiming you're doing your part for the environment if you're just inefficiently offsetting the fossil fuel usage to a power plant thirty miles away.

Secondly, and of far greater concern, is the question of how are these batteries are made, how they're recycled and disposed of, and how quickly the elements that are used to create this technology are going to last if mass-production and consumer models stay the same as they have for the last few decades.

It looks like the design briefs for 4x4s at the moment are looking
to sci-fi for inspirations. The Cybertruck and the Trail look like they could be
civilian versions of a Halo Warthog still vehicle. And I love it.

Despite that though, I couldn't help but admire the two design concepts that have come out over the last few weeks showcasing electric off-roaders. Tesla's Cybertruck might look a bit odd but I honestly love the look of it's front end. The whole thing looks like a DeLorean and Halo Warthog's lovechild. Personally I think the back-end would look better if it just had a normal pickup rear without the weird drop, but whatever. I like that there's still a company out there willing to break the mould a little bit and go for something new.
 The other concept I couldn't help but fall in love with was from Audi - something called the AI-Trail which once again evoked a strong sci-fi vibe. Production of this would be unlikely in my opinion mind you, the special futuristic tyres it has would be ridiculously expensive, the exposed wheels would make it impossible to get it through NCAP safety tests and the headlight drones in the roof rack? Bit silly. The rear hammock seats looked awful too, but again there's something to it that really appeals. The inner-child perhaps.

The Audi AI:Trail, unlikely to see production, but I like the way
 4x4 designs are going.

This is basically what we all thought the future would look like twenty or thirty years ago, and there has to be some cool factor in that. Whether EVs are the saviour they're made out to be though relies entirely on what scientists can do with battery technology though. There are some rumours at the moment of so called solid state glass batteries on the horizon that could potentially increase range, lifespan and charging times that could kill off fossil fuels. There are even rumours that it might be possible to use good old fashioned sea salt instead of hard to process lithium, but only time will tell.