The defining difference between humans and other species is that our "accessories" evolve independently of our genes. The difference between humans of 50,000 years ago and the 21st century can be seen by anyone while birds' nests, beavers' dams and bees' hives only evolve when the species evolves. Our "accessories" range from clothing and computing devices to houses, tools, toys and even weapons and define the ages of human development. Humans being augmented by these evolving accessories with the effect that the augmented species can evolve faster than biological evolution allowing the same humans rise in significance from another ape in paleolithic times to a species that defines the Anthropocene. This advancement through evolution of accessories is a new step in the process of evolution and enables accessorised humans to out evolve all otherwise complex organisms. In the spirit of Batman and Ironman, our 'accessories' or 'tools' provide humans with enhanced abilities that can be seen as superpowers. Genetically we may be similar to humans of over 50,000 years ago, but our accessories make us very different and the impact spans from population to racism.
While there are still valid reasons to hesitate before buying an EV in 2023, it's definitely late to buy a new ICE vehicle and a better time to instead plan a combustion engine exit. Considering the trend from where EVs were 5 years ago to today, and then projecting EV sales growth over the next 5 years, and it seems almost certain almost all ICEVs of today are an obsolescence risk. While this does not mean everyone should rush out and buy an EV, it is an opportunity to prepare for an aspect of the future that may catch some unawares.
As of March 2023, this EV from the BYD brand that few have heard of, has risen to 3rd bestselling EV globally behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, and could this year overtake the Model 3. Despite this level of sales success, as the Atto 3, as it is known outside China, arrives in new markets, reviewers often struggle to communicate the significance. As the international bestselling model of the BYD brand responsible for 6 of the 10 top bestselling EVs globally.
For almost 100 years, people have grown up in an age of the internal combustion engine. For many people, this has meant an understanding of engine capacity, cylinders, spark plugs, engine compression, crankshafts, valves, turbochargers, exhausts etc. The bad news is that EVs mean so much that previously learned literacy is about to be consigned to history and replaced by EV charging, EV Range, batteries, permanent magnet and induction motors, regen braking, and other new terms. The good news is, it is easy to build an EV literacy on those ICEV foundations, so there is no need to feel illiterate in this new EV world.
In this polarised world, there seem to be two groups: those who want all vehicles to be EVs now, and those who feel EVs will never be a good idea. Truth is, it would create a legal minefield and cost consumers and the environment heavily to ban too quickly, but bans will come. This is an exploration of reality of a transition to EVs, which concludes any optimum transition takes around 30 years. This conclusion means anyone wanting to reach EVs by 2050 needs to start very soon, and anyone worried all EVs should never happen, can take comfort that any environmentally sound transition will take a long time, although for economic reasons, does need to at least start soon.
