Visualised: iconic cars designed for climate change

The threat of climate change is very real, and scientists have predicted our world may look and feel very different if things don’t change soon. 

With that in mind, we wanted to know what our cars may look like in the future to tackle treacherous climate change conditions. Peter Vardy has redesigned the most popular cars in the UK and US to add climate change-proofed features.

The Tesla Model 3 with air pollution-resistant tech

The Tesla Model 3 is the 16^th best-selling car in the world and the best-selling EV of all time. It’s a popular car thanks to its range, efficiency, performance, and attractive price point.

But, the Tesla Model 3 we know today, might look quite different in the future.

 

Scientists have predicted that air pollution will be intensified in the future, so much so that we may have to wear special face masks to allow us to breathe freely outside. Therefore, our Model 3 is equipped with its own air filtering system. Pulling air through an external pipe, and then filtering the air to allow it to be breathable inside.

The redesigned Tesla Model 3 also has unique air-pollution windscreen wipers that are bulkier and come with a brush to clean windows from the dirty, smog-filled air effectively. Plus, the car is equipped with special yellow smog lights for better visibility.

Here’s what the MINI could look like in 2050

MINI has sold more than 5.1 million units globally and is the UK’s bestselling car. The design is iconic and instantly recognisable as a MINI. But will it keep its iconic look when designed for a climate change future?

 

Rising sea levels, and drastic changes in temperature cause changes in rainfall. This leads to severe storms and flooding. To get around in the future you may need a car that can drive on two surfaces: land and water. The future MINI is curved and streamlined underneath which allows it to glide on the water. Plus, the redesigned MINI has enlarged wheels and a car position that gives it a high-ground clearance so it can easily drive through shallow flooding.

The Ford F-Series in 27 years

Ford has sold over 40 million F-Series, making it the brand's bestseller. They have recently introduced an electric model indicating this vehicle is here to stay, so we’re quite likely to see this car in years to come.

But, what will the Ford F-Series look like with climate change add-ons? 

 

While scientists are unsure if the number of hurricanes will increase, they know for certain that they will be more intense and severe. So, in the future, you will need a car that can withstand driving in storms.

Our future Ford Series-F has extreme-high-ground clearance wheels, and support at the front to protect the vehicle. Not only that, the vehicle is equipped with guards at the bottom of the car, to protect and to plough through snow, debris, fallen over trees - you name it. The hardened exterior of the car defends the Ford from flying debris and strong winds.

Volkswagen Golf with intense-heat technology

The Volkswagen Golf is an iconic and favourite car of many, selling over 35 million units. It’s a reliable car, so you might even trust driving it in a climate-change future. Well, especially with our new extras…

 

Temperatures are expected to rise by 4 degrees Celsius, which in the summer could mean melting roads and tyres, plus intense drought. That’s why our Volkswagen Golf is equipped with heat-resistant tech, such as heat-proof tyres. We’ve added a special body to the car to ensure it can drive through sandy and drought conditions easily.

There’s a bigger radiator grille to help the car cool down in extreme temperatures, and black tinted windows to keep the passengers cool inside.

5 things happening in the automotive world to combat climate change

We know the features of these redesigned cars might seem far-fetched, but this is a glimpse into our future if things don’t change. There are plenty of initiatives around the world which show we’re taking positive action, especially in the automotive world. Here are some recent stories that we particularly like:

1.  Dutch students have invented a zero-emissions car that captures carbon as it drives!

The car is mainly made from 3D-printed recycled plastics and powered by a lithium ion battery. But, the clever bit is the car features two filters that can capture up to 2 kg of CO2 over 18,641 miles. 12 cars travelling this many miles would absorb the same amount as the average tree in a year.

2.  Electric cars are getting cheaper

Electric cars are getting cheaper, meaning they will be more accessible for drivers to own an EV. General Motors recently unveiled the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV, starting at $30,000 – normally this type of vehicle retails at $65,000. Likewise, Tesla has announced a new entry-level Tesla retailing at $25,000 (£22,000), which is about half the cost of the Model 3. The production costs of electric cars have already fallen dramatically, so we should be seeing more EVs at attractive prices. And, despite rising energy costs experts say EVs are still cheaper to run.

3.  Plug-in car sales are up 22% year on year

In the UK, plug-in car sales increased by 40,000 in November 2022, that’s 22% year on year. In fact, all-electric car sales outpaced the overall market with a 35% year-on-year increase. So far this year, there have been more than 317,000 new plug-in car registrations.

4.  EV Plug sharing is easing the cost of living

An increasing number of electric vehicle owners are renting their home chargers to help ease energy price rises and bring in extra income. Not only will this ease soaring energy costs but help to fill the gap in areas where there’s a lack of public chargers.

5. Electric car batteries are being turned into solar power storage

About 5% of lithium-ion batteries are being recycled, this may change in the future when there will be large numbers of EV batteries coming to the end of their life. However, one company in Spain wants to give the used batteries a second life, now. The company is reconditioning them to store solar energy, adding 10 years of life.

Not to mention, Nissan, Volkswagen and Renault are recycling their electric car batteries. But, with discussions of changing European Union legislation on sustainable practices in battery recycling, this could see even more manufacturers step up to the mark.