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The Geneva Motor Show demonstrated once again how the momentum in the motor industry is now with electric cars.
Throughout the show, stands displaying the very latest in EV technology showcased how far electric cars have come as a viable consumer product and hinted at how they will drive the awe-inspiring developments of tomorrow.
As the double defending Formula E teams champion, it was fitting that Renault was leading the way in this regard. With Nico Prost at the wheel, the Formula E pacesetter drove onto the stand alongside the new E-SPORT Zoe, the striking latest development of its successful all-electric supermini.
Complementing this were two ends of the EV spectrum – the record-breaking Zoe that covered 400kms on a single charge, and the stunning TreZor concept car, which is built around the all-conquering Formula E powertrain.
Rivaling the TreZor in the futuristic stakes was the Dendobrium, a working concept all-electric hypercar that has been developed in conjunction with Williams Advanced Engineering, the supplier of the Formula E battery.
Dendobrium is a Singapore-based company that specializes in battery development, and while the car is only a concept at the moment, it could be made into a low-volume production car if the demand is there.
Over on the Jaguar stand, its Formula E race car was deployed to attract fans into its superb Virtual Reality experience, where you get the chance to get behind the wheel and put your skills to the test. Also on display for the first time in Europe was the I-Pace, which now advanced from being a super-high end demonstrator into an actual production vehicle.
Showing just how ubiquitous electric car technology has become, Bentley had its first-ever all-electric car, the wonderful EXP 12 Speed 6e convertible GT cruiser, on display. While Mercedes-Benz offered a glimpse of what its future electric cars could look like with the concept EQ.
But the most outlandish application of EV technology – with a nod to the sublime Techrules hypercar – was found on the ItalDesign stand. In conjunction with AirBus, it had created a concept of a flying taxi, mating drone technology to an autonomous electric car to produce perhaps the ultimate traffic buster – a car capable of flying over the queues to pick you up on demand!
ABT, DS, TAG Heuer and the FIA all had Formula E cars on display on their stands, while Daniel Abt, Lucas di Grassi, Loic Duval, Nelson Piquet Jr and Nick Heidfeld could all be spotted among the various stands, taking selfies with fans. In fact, there was more Formula E presence at the Show than any other form of motorsport.
The Geneva Motor Show runs until March 19.