Remember back in 2014 when Apple was rumoured to be working on a self-driving car?
Not much has been put forward on that front from the tech giant on Project Titan. But in the electric car industry, things are moving pretty fast.
Tesla launched its fourth model to complete Elon Musk's long-awaited punchline and China is already developing cars to overcome tight parallel parking issues.
Now, one Slovenian tech firm has developed something that could revolutionise the electric vehicle industry.
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According to Green Car Reports, Elaphe has created in-wheel motors.
These motors, called Sonic 1, are compatible with high-performance brakes and are intended for EVs and hybrids.
If these in-wheel motors become widely used, they could completely transform how electric cars are built, making them simpler, more efficient and potentially much cheaper to maintain.
Unlike traditional EVs, which still rely on a central engine and transmission to deliver power to the wheels, the Sonic 1 motors are built inside the wheels themselves. So, there would be no need for a central engine or a transmission.
Already, making these cars would be far simpler as there would be fewer parts to consider and therefore, less chance of mechanic failure.
When it comes to efficiency, the EVs would lose less energy compared to traditional mechanical systems, giving them a longer range.
And since there would be no engine in these cars, there would be room for a larger battery to increase the vehicle's range - which is one of the main factors people consider when making the switch to an EV.
Manufacturers could use these extra spaces to make more room for passengers or cargo space.
As revolutionary as it sounds, Elaphe isn't the only one working on this tech. Ferrari, Ford, and Nissan - among others - are already developing their own versions.
If in-wheel motors become the standard, it could convince more people to make the switch to EVs and eventually reduce the number of gas-powered vehicles on the road.
Moreover, this tech could also help cut down on carbon emissions.
Gas-powered cars pump out 350 grams of CO₂ per mile over their lifetime, while EVs (even when charged on today’s power grids) produce 200 grams. That number drops even further when they’re powered by renewable energy.
Since climate change is already causing more extreme weather - bigger storms, more floods, longer droughts - getting more people to ditch gas-powered cars would be a huge step in the right direction.