'Perfect is boring': the character problem of electric vehicles

By many critical measures, electric cars are better than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts–they are capable of being faster, cheaper to run and have no tailpipe emissions. Yet, a common complaint in automotive enthusiast circles is that most electric vehicles are lacking in what might be called character. In the words of one car reviewer, referring to faster electric cars while driving a V8 muscle car, ‘perfect is boring’. Character here is defined as both the embodied feel of a car and the ways in which that feel is technologically structured. Importantly, this apparent lack of character is not an inherent quality of electric cars, it is designed into them as part of a larger process of creating ‘frictionless’ experiences derived from Silicon Valley priorities. This article therefore draws upon the work of philosopher Matthew Crawford, who argues that the character and mastery of our cars is a powerful expression of our agency and capacity to ‘self-govern’. Ultimately, this work argues that new design philosophies are required to better address the needs for both characterful imperfection and saving the environment.