A manual gearbox in an electric car? Ford proposes a solution to make it a reality

The automatic gearbox is a convenience that allows drivers to enjoy relaxed and comfortable driving. But there are also those who prefer the feeling of changing gears and feeling them engage, which gives a more intense sensation while driving. In electric cars, there is no longer the option to enjoy that feeling, since they all use an automatic transmission, which makes more sense for this type of motor.

But for those who drive an electric car, it is possible to enjoy a manual gearbox again or, at least, something similar. It is a patent that Ford has just presented, called “Shifter Assembly for Electric Vehicle”. This system seeks to simulate the tactile response of this type of transmission.

But this solution has no physical connection between the motor and the gearbox. It is entirely electronic, yet it conveys the sensation of a manual gearbox. This allows drivers to experience changing gears in the same way as in a combustion-engined car with a traditional gearbox.

For the brand, this solution will change the perception that still exists of electric cars, as vehicles with little personality and no dynamic response. Drivers who enjoy the manual gearbox will be able to keep enjoying it, even though in reality it is something completely different.

For the time being, this solution appears to be available only in the United States, where, paradoxically, the manual gearbox is a rarity. The vast majority of models on sale use the automatic gearbox, and few American drivers know how to use this type of transmission efficiently.

The European market, closer to the use of the manual gearbox, seems to be a more suitable ecosystem for this innovation, which will combine the latest technology with traditional driving, including for electric cars.