Something we don't need - Ford patents stick shift for EVs to make them more fun to drive

[OnlinePoker]

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.

https://www.torquenews.com/17995/ford-patents-stick-shift-evs-long-overdue-trend-make-evs-much-fun-drive-gas-cars-continues

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Relatively few drivers in North America know how to use a stick in a manual transmission car. I can't see the purpose of this except to extract more money from consumers for something they don't need.

[senseandsensibility]

1. Well, it's optional

Not sure it's a problem. If they don't sell, they'll probably discontinue them but who knows? There might be a market.

[Jerry2144]

2. pointless. The big thing I love on my Kia EV6

is the incredibly smooth, linear acceleration. I turned off the fake spaceship sounds it played inside the car since it is so nice having a nearly silent car. When I put it in single pedal mode and sport mode, the car just does what I want. I barely have to think more than go faster, turn, accelerate, or oh crap, cop - slow fast. Why would I want a stuttering acceleration? It makes sense to have a second speed in an EV. Electric motor torque and power drop off at high rpm. So at freeway speeds, the motor can spin slower in a second gear and provide instant torque. But my EV motor turns at 10,000 rpm at 80 mph and still has decent acceleration if I need it with no lag of an ICE.

[brush]

3. Doomed to fail. What's the point of simulated shifting sounds if...

the engine is not doing anything?

High performance cars, sports cars or pick-ups...vehicles that appeal to younger drivers and once had actual stick shifts to down shift to slow down or up shifts to accelerate to speed up, I don't see the point of sound effects to just simulated that when EVs now don't need transmissions. They just go without the time to get up to speed by shifting.

[RedWhiteBlueIsRacist]

4. How about a pull chain for the dome light!

That would be real funzee.

[canetoad]

6. This goes in the same basket

Of useless enhancements as imitation meat vegetarian foodstuffs.