Most people know James Dyson best for inventing vacuum cleaners without bags. Thanks to these creations, he accumulated sufficient wealth to tinker with other inventions. None of these has been as spectacularly successful though. However, he is continuing to spend $9 million annually on research. This focuses increasingly on electric cars. Perhaps the Globe and Mail was being tongue and cheek when it asked, “Can a company known for making vacuum cleaners build an electric car that doesn’t suck?” Or are Dyson electric cars just for gullible investors.
Bottom-Up Approach to Building Dyson Electric Cars
Dyson invented the bagless-cyclone vacuum cleaner after he became frustrated over emptying dust bags.
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman, 1903.
Dyson’s company is unreasonably building electric vehicles without previous experience. This includes using solid-state batteries without liquid electrolyte.
It believes Dyson electric cars will be better because of this disruptive, unbiased approach.
Dyson’s Reasons for Using Solid-State Batteries
Solid-state batteries outperform lithium-ion in cold weather. This makes sense for northern European and northern American regions; where global warming appears set to make winters harsher. These are areas likely to go greener sooner, because of greater availability of personal capital. The batteries are also safer and recharge faster.
“We’re making sure we’ll have our own battery and that it’s a quantum leap,” a spokesperson explained last fall. “We’re very well positioned to put that kind of battery into production.” The company has abundant capital and no shareholders expecting quick returns. Dyson electric cars therefore have time on their side, and an owner with a knack for enviable persistence.
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Preview Image: Contra-Rotor Washing Machine