Ford Patents Stick Shift For EVs As The Long Overdue Trend To Make EVs As Much Fun To Drive As Gas Cars Continues To Advance

Ford's recent patent for a simulated stick shift in electric vehicles (EVs) has certainly stirred up the automotive world, raising eyebrows and sparking conversations about the future of driving. This isn't happening in isolation. We've seen Hyundai with their Ionic 5, which features paddle shifters, and Dodge with their upcoming electric Charger, complete with simulated engine sounds and gear changes, which you can read about in articles covering the Dodge EV Charger. Are automakers trying to appease us old-school drivers, or are they onto something bigger?

The Rise of Simulated Driving Experiences

It seems car manufacturers are starting to acknowledge that while EVs offer incredible performance and efficiency, they sometimes lack the visceral engagement of a good old-fashioned gas-guzzler. Let's face it: the linear acceleration of an EV, while exhilarating, can get a bit...monotonous. You press the pedal, you go. Fast, but monotonous.

Hyundai's Ionic 5 introduced paddle shifters, allowing drivers to simulate gear shifts. While technically impacting performance, it's a step towards giving drivers more control and a more interactive experience. Dodge is taking it a step further with the electric Charger, attempting to recreate the rumble and gear changes of a high-performance V8. For those who miss the visceral thrill of driving, Dodge's approach might just hit the spot.

And now Ford, with its simulated stick shift patent, is entering the chat. Imagine rowing through gears in your electric Mustang Mach-E, feeling the (simulated) clutch engage, and hearing the (simulated) engine rev. It's like playing a really convincing video game, but it's your actual car.

Why This Trend?

Why are automakers going to such lengths to recreate the gas-car experience in EVs? Here are a few compelling reasons:

• Emotional Connection: Cars have always been more than just a means of transportation. They're tied to our emotions, our identities, and our memories. For many drivers, the stick shift is an integral part of that connection. It's about the feeling of control, the engagement of the body, and the satisfaction of a perfectly executed shift.
• Overcoming Resistance: Let's be honest, some people are still not sold on EVs. They worry about range anxiety, charging times, and the perceived lack of driving excitement. By making EVs feel more familiar, automakers can ease this transition and make them more appealing to a wider audience.
• Fun Factor: Driving, for many, is a source of joy. The tactile feedback and the engagement of a manual transmission add an element of fun that's hard to replicate in a traditional EV. Automakers are realizing that "fun" is a key selling point.

The Future of EV Driving Experience

So, what could be next? If simulated stick shifts and engine sounds are just the beginning, where do we go from here? Here are some fun (and slightly absurd) possibilities:

• Simulated Turbo Lag: For the masochistic drivers who enjoy the anticipation (and frustration) of waiting for a turbo to spool up.
• Holographic Exhaust Flames: Because who doesn't want to see flames shooting out the back of their EV, even if they're not real?
• "Essence of Gasoline" Air Freshener: A carefully crafted scent that replicates the smell of your favorite fuel, be it premium unleaded or high-octane racing gas.
• Steering Wheel Vibration that simulates a misfire: For that authentic "classic car" experience.

The Bottom Line

While it might seem counterintuitive to make EVs more like gas cars, it's a clever strategy. By tapping into our emotional connection with driving and making the experience more engaging, automakers can accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

Ford's EV stick shift patent, along with Hyundai's paddle shifters and Dodge's simulated engine sounds, suggests a recognition that the future of driving may be electric, but the soul of driving can still be very much analog.

Wrapping Up:

While EVs are very fast and powerful, they tend not to be as much fun to drive as gas cars. Ford is stepping up to this challenge and joining Hyundai and Dodge by patenting, and then eventually creating a stick shift for EVs. I think making EVs even more fun to drive will make them much more attractive to buyers who have been avoiding them. 

Disclosure: Image created with DALL-E

Rob Enderle is a technology analyst covering automotive technology and battery developments at Torque News. You can learn more about Rob on Wikipedia and follow his articles on Forbes, X, and LinkedIn.