A vehicle by Toyota Gazoo Racing displayed at the 2023 Munich motor show. /Leonhard Simon/ Reuters
Stylish e-cars fitted with state-of-the art technology dominated Munich's IAA motor show but prices may need to come down if the average consumer is to kickstart an electric vehicle revolution.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz was one of the guests at the show where new technology reflected the growing moves towards electrification in the motor industry, with not a single exhaust pipe in sight.
Sales of electric cars remain healthy despite a cost of living crisis that has hit Europe with inflation and rising fuel costs. But at the same time, amid the glitz and glamor in Germany's third most populous city, it does seem that cost remains a stumbling block with cars on display starting at $70,000.
Offering a positive outlook was Juergen Guldner, a general project manager for hydrogen technology at BMW.
"Our sales in battery electric vehicles is continuously going up," he told CGTN. "Every month we have more and more percentage of our sales in battery electric cars and our plug-in hybrids. That shows us that, yes, the world is ready, and it also shows us that our products are very attractive to our customers, and we are on the right way in this pathway of having the flexibility to offer the best powertrain to each and every customer."
Ground-breaking technology has also been on display with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL working on providing a better product by focusing on cutting down the time needed to charge up an electric car.
READ MORE
Battle for the bears: fatal attack ignites row
Spain's Hermoso files criminal complaint
Pengfei Gao, cell product manager at CATL, said: "You've got to keep in mind the real driving experience of our consumers, so we think fast charging should be a standard product for everyone, for every electric vehicle. Nowadays, I think fast charging is a kind of option for high-end cars and vehicles. But I think this technology, the value of our technology should be accessible for everyone, and everybody can enjoy the pleasure of this new technology."
Artificial intelligence has also been a theme at the motor show, with self automated cars and facial recognition. Many visitors were keen to see the green approach being made by car manufacturers. "We support sustainability right, I believe electric cars are the future by using clean energy which we should, we are getting rid of the traditional combustion engine," said one visitor.
Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday