[spitfire]

I believe it's a "luxury/enthusiast" strategy. I believe the auto market will play out something like the watch market did with the introduction of the quartz watch. Most people just want to tell the time, so they buy a quartZ. Similarly most people just want to get from A to B, so will buy an electric (automated) car.

Some people enjoy the mechanics of the thing. So they buy a nice mechanical watch. These watches went from being simple utility pieces to works of art.

Similarly I expect that car companies will continue to sell a set of "enthusiasts" models for a long time. They might revert back to manual gearboxes, and become more and more outrageous works of art - turned polished engine bays (Think Perlée, etc).

When all your actual needs can be met by a self driving electric car, why do you own a physical mechanical car? For the enjoyment of it.

[DennisP]

Probably true, but at the same time, some electric cars are pretty darn fun to drive.

[rootusrootus]

Of currently available models, isn't that essentially ... one of them? And only in a straight line. Electrics have a ways to go before they're suitable candidates for things like track days.

[DennisP]

Arguably the Model 3 isn't "currently available" but Motor Trend is a big fan for more than straight lines:

"The Model 3 is so unexpected scalpel-like, I’m sputtering for adjectives. The steering ratio is quick, the effort is light (for me), but there’s enough light tremble against your fingers to hear the cornering negotiations between Stunt Road and these 235/40R19 tires (Continental ProContact RX m+s’s). And to mention body roll is to have already said too much about it."

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-3/2018/exclusive-...

[outworlder]

Even a Leaf is fun due to the constant acceleration.

[Viper007Bond]

Modern automatics though provide similar constant acceleration. Even better are dual clutch transmissions. About 8ms between gear shifts.

[petre]

With a lot more engineering and complicated drivetrain mechanics, yes. An EV drivetrain is at least an order of magnitude less complex.

[lagadu]

The i3 is also surprisingly nice to drive around town, at least compared to the Leaf and Zoe.

[NickM]

Perhaps, but I wonder if we won't see more countries go the way of Norway/France/Britain and ban gasoline cars altogether once electric vehicles become more competitive and mainstream....

[petre]

Sweeden and Norway, where battery performance is impaired by the colder climate. The next absurd thing would be Alaska announcing a ban of ICE vehicles after 2030.

[varjag]

I drive an EV in Norway for soon 4 years, there is no performance impact whatsoever. Sure you use salon heater way more, but battery capacity hardly budges.

Winters are pretty mild throughout more populated parts of Norway and Sweden.

[dsfyu404ed]

The less popular ICE vehicles are the less of an environmental problem they are and the less will there is to ban them.