Q TECH — Leave them or drive them, electric mobility is advancing rapidly, bringing innovation hand in hand with artificial intelligence (AI), a technology that now transcends battery life and range to become the central axis that connects safety, efficiency, and user experience.
AI allows the vehicle to interpret its surroundings through sensors and algorithms, integrating with driver assistance, the smart cockpit, and energy management. In addition to responding to commands, it understands the context and makes automatic adjustments based on the driver’s needs.
“Artificial intelligence is redefining the value of the electric vehicle. It’s no longer just about range, but about how the vehicle becomes an ally that anticipates risks, reduces driving stress, and constantly improves the mobility experience. In other words, electric mobility is synonymous with safety, greater efficiency by optimizing routes and making necessary adjustments, as well as constant technological evolution through remote updates, without the need to visit a workshop,” stated Luis Diego Acuña, manager of XPENG Costa Rica.
XPENG, with the support of Grupo Purdy (Toyota, Lexus, Ford, VW, and more), shares five trends shaping the future of the industry:
- Comprehensive and proactive experience: AI analyzes variables such as traffic, weather, and inclines before starting a journey, suggesting more efficient routes and adapting settings according to the context. During the trip, it reduces mental workload in traffic jams or on long journeys, and afterward, it optimizes functions through remote updates.
- More natural interpretation of the environment: Vehicles improve their ability to “see” and understand unexpected movements of pedestrians or other vehicles. This allows for more timely decisions in rain, low light, or limited signage, raising safety standards.
- Predictive driving: The shift from reactive systems to predictive models facilitates smooth adjustments of speed and distance, reduces harsh braking, and optimizes energy efficiency, with a direct impact on comfort and efficiency.
- Intelligent energy management: Beyond range, AI offers more realistic range estimates by considering driving style and topography. It also optimizes thermal management and monitors the battery to extend its lifespan.
- Dynamic Personalization: The vehicle learns preferences such as ideal temperature or frequently used routes and adapts its settings over time, balancing comfort and energy consumption.
“The electric mobility of the future can be enjoyed starting today, with safer, more efficient, and simpler driving. At XPENG, we understand that artificial intelligence is the foundation that allows us to integrate technology, energy, and experience on a single platform, with vehicles that are constantly evolving,” Acuña concluded.
Drivers face a simple yet significant choice: embrace the shift and drive them, or stick with traditional cars and leave EVs behind.
With growing environmental concerns and tightening emissions regulations, EVs offer a cleaner, quieter ride powered by batteries instead of gas. Their rising popularity is supported by expanding charging networks and falling prices, making them more accessible than ever.
In Costa Rica, EVs are booming, driven by tax exemptions and duty-free imports, with 14% of new car registrations being electric as of late 2024.
Still, some remain hesitant due to concerns over range, charging times, and upfront costs.