Electric vehicles are boasting wooden elements for aesthetic appeal
Trend - Manufacturers of electric vehicles—from scooters and bikes to motorcycles—are introducing wooden elements to their offerings. In doing so, they are supercharging the aesthetic of these products by evoking material references to nature.
Insight - When purchasing products, many consumers are placing an emphasis on natural ingredients and materials. Tied often to the movement for wellness or that of minimalist design, this desire is prominent in urban centers where consumers are looking to move away from common materials like artificial ingredients, plastic or concrete. This, in turn, is indicative of one's consciousness about sustainability and/or need for balanced aesthetics.
Insight - When purchasing products, many consumers are placing an emphasis on natural ingredients and materials. Tied often to the movement for wellness or that of minimalist design, this desire is prominent in urban centers where consumers are looking to move away from common materials like artificial ingredients, plastic or concrete. This, in turn, is indicative of one's consciousness about sustainability and/or need for balanced aesthetics.
Workshop Question - How can your brand incorporate natural elements into its offerings?
Trend Themes
1. Natural Material Usage - EV manufacturers are introducing natural materials like wood into their offerings to meet consumers' consciousness about sustainability and need for balanced aesthetics.
2. Accessible Evs - Manufacturers are designing EVs that are more accessible to the elderly and differently-abled by incorporating wooden tricycles or more comfortable seating options.
3. Craftsmanship - Wood has become an increasingly popular material for artisan-crafted EVs, which are often made in unique and complex patterns that cannot be replicated with machinery.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive - Wooden EVs are introducing more natural materials into the automobile industry, redefining the design of future vehicles.
2. Sustainable Production - The utilization of eco-conscious wood sourcing and tree-planting initiatives by EV companies like Etree Bikes are setting a new standard of sustainable production practices.
3. Personal Mobility - Innovative and accessible EVs like the solar-powered motorbike designed by a Ghanaian teenager are spurring the growth of personal mobility transportation options.
