HUMAN INTELLIGENCE Driving into the Future: Adapting to Electric Car Technology

HUMAN INTELLIGENCE Driving into the Future: Adapting to Electric Car Technology

By Hunt Lyman

I vividly recall the first time I encountered electric windows in a car, skeptically pressing the button and thinking, “Is it really that hard to crank a window?”

My skepticism only grew when my wife purchased a car equipped with an automated rear hatch, which seemed like just another potential malfunction. Then this spring, seeing cars with peculiar handles while picking up children from the school where I teach, I groused, “Do car door handles really need reinventing?”

And so, with that background, it may be surprising that I now own a self-driving electric vehicle (EV).

Over the years, the evolution of EVs and selfdriving technology has been fascinating, and daunting, especially the thought of ceding control of my vehicle to a computer. I also appreciated the environmental benefit of moving away from fossil fuels, despite the ecological concerns associated with producing and disposing of lithium-ion batteries.

My first time in an EV heightened my apprehensions about potential breakdowns, from the huge console screen to folding mirrors to multiple cameras. Yet, the simplicity of electric vehicles—having fewer than 100 moving parts compared to thousands in gasoline cars—seemed to balance the scale.

While considering my next car purchase, I noticed many neighbors had already transitioned to EVs. And the infrastructure in Loudoun County is increasingly supportive of this shift: Middleburg alone hosts four EV charging stations, with an additional three at the Salamander Resort. Convinced that EV technology was here to stay, I decided it was time to switch.

For those contemplating an electric vehicle, here are some lessons already learned.

Charging: The most obvious shift from gasoline to electric is the “fuel” source. While filling a gas tank takes minutes, electric charging takes much longer. Many EV owners install home chargers to take advantage of overnight charging at lower rates, allowing them to start each day with a fully charged battery that often covers up to 300 miles. Adapting to this new routine of nightly charging offers the convenience of a consistently full “tank.”

Driving: I’ve been driving for 50 years, but an EV presented a new learning curve. The most notable feature is “one-pedal driving,” where lifting your foot off the accelerator also engages regenerative braking.

Most EV driving involves minimal use of the brake pedal, typically only needed when shifting from park to drive or reverse. Modern EVs also incorporate various technologies, including blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic lighting systems.

Full self-driving capabilities are now available in many EVs, and I’ve been impressed with how the technology maintains appropriate speed, sets safe following distances, and navigates traffic controls.

Longer Trips: When planning a long trip, EV owners need to think ahead. These vehicles typically offer searches for charging stations, but the driver needs to understand which chargers require an adapter and how long different chargers take.

When planning multi-day trips, drivers may want to take portable chargers that can connect to outlets in a house. One effect of this change is that “gas stations” are increasingly offering food and recreation along with charging facilities.

As battery technology improves, the advancements in EV technology promise a new era of automotive efficiency and safety. Transitioning to an electric vehicle has been a leap of faith, but one that aligns with a future that, in many ways, is already here.

Hunt Lyman is Academic Dean at The Hill School.