EV Designs Are Boring and Conventional, So We Asked 18 Design Visionaries to Create New Ones – Robb Report

Who: J. David Weiss, president and founder of Designova Creative + Associates Innovation Consultancy

Brief: “My ’27X Speed concept is born from an intersection of inspirations: my nearly 20 years of working in the fascinating world of yacht design and the DNA I have developed in crafting vessels of scale and presence, but also the more recent time I have spent developing the nascent EV marine sector, building hydrofoils, ultra E-Skis, super e-powerboats, and more. 

“The last piece that helped bring this concept to life is my passion for all things automotive design. This exercise unlocked my archive of automotive inspiration that’s been building for decades, and as I considered what might spark a fresh recipe for this ‘EVolution’ of car design, I recalled a 1927 Duesenberg Model X Speedster in a lovely marine blue with apropos boattail styling that I fell in love with years ago. I utilized some of the iconic ’20s proportions while enjoying what I love about designing electric transportation: freedom of shape, detail, and proportion. In this renaissance of new vehicular possibilities, I recalled an era when transport was truly celebrated and the joy of movement was central: an avant-garde teardrop three-wheel, with a dash of surfing style on top as a nod to my marine design roots.” 

Who: Margit Argus, architect and founder, and Mariia Korolova, interior designer, Studio Argus

Brief: “The needs for cars in today’s changing society are different from those of the past. With increasing urbanization and growing demands for mobility and flexibility, car requirements have become highly varied. Even within a single family, the need for a car can differ from day to day. For example, when commuting in the city, only one or two people may be in the car at a time, making large, heavy vehicles unnecessary. These cars take up space, create noise, and, in most cases, only transport a single passenger. 

“Our proposal is to create a modular electric car that can be easily adjusted by adding or removing modules. A two-seater car could be expanded into a four-seater when needed, and additional modules such as a luggage compartment could be added as well. One module is designed for two people sitting one behind the other, making the car very narrow. If necessary, a second module can be attached, allowing four people to travel together. 

“The idea of a modular car is inspired by modular or transformable furniture—why not bring the same concept into the automotive industry?” 

Who: Ian Callum, design director, Callum, an automotive and product design company 

Brief: “The flexibility of package and profile compared to internal-combustion-engine cars is one aspect of EVs that we appreciate as a design team. The opportunity to move the cabin forward to where the engine used to be simply gives more internal space, allowing a one-box vehicle without a hood. We believe this ‘cab forward’ profile will become more prolific as a result of this opportunity. 

“A recreational vehicle such as this can take full advantage, maximizing the interior package over a given wheelbase. “Our recreational-vehicle proposal has EV power and all-wheel drive, giving more than adequate torque to each wheel—another benefit of an electrical vehicle, thus enabling excellent off-road capability. This van has a lifting roof, giving additional space to stand and added functional feature.

“We believe this combination of EV package and capability is ideal for such a fun recreational vehicle.” 

Who: Martin Frei, cofounder and chief designer of watch brand Urwerk 

Brief: “The Autokinó is not just a car—it is a statement of independence, a redefinition of mobility, and a vision of sustainable technology in action. It is a vehicle that not only moves itself but also reshapes the world around it. 

“By embracing self-sustaining energy, radical design, and the thrill of driving, the Autokinó is the real automobile—the one that has been missing all along. 

“For over a century, automobiles have relied on external energy sources. The Autokinó (Greek for ‘self-moving’) redefines mobility as a self-sufficient vehicle, generating its own power. 

“Using thermoelectric technology (Seebeck & Peltier effects), it absorbs ambient heat, converting it into electricity while cooling the environment—a revolutionary response to climate change. Its nano-structured thermovoltaic panels ensure full energy independence, eliminating the need for charging stations. 

“Inspired by the Mars Rover, the Autokinó’s four-wheel electric propulsion allows it to traverse any terrain. Its fighter-jet-inspired cockpit integrates sci-fi aesthetics with advanced interfaces, placing the driver fully in control. Unlike autonomous vehicles, it upholds individual freedom, ensuring an engaged driving experience. 

“With its futuristic design and self-sustaining power, the Autokinó is more than a car—it is a technological statement, shaping the future of mobility.” 

Who: Tej Chauhan, industrial designer 

Brief: “I’m frequently asked what I’d like to design next. I’ve always been a petrolhead. I love anything with wheels. From classic Porsches and Ducatis to shopping trolleys. I’m pretty handy around a karting track and around any grocery store. My graduate thesis, in 1995, was a ‘personal public transport system’—electric scooters you could hire for short-distance travel around a city center… But since then, I haven’t designed another vehicle. 

“I’m interested in the future of short-distance personal transport in towns and cities. I like the idea of a vehicle which delivers the feeling of fun and excitement but is also practical in the everyday sense. I’ve sketched a concept called Wishbone. It’s a compact, personal electric transport—pedal-powered, combined with sophisticated, high-powered electric drive. By pedaling, and with the pilot’s own midship seating position, they would feel part of the propulsion system itself. I imagine that would feel quite exhilarating. It’s also modular, allowing quick reconfiguration to switch between carrying an extra passenger or extra shopping bags. Wishbone combines fun, speed, practicality, and exercise. Carve it around Topanga Canyon, or take it to collect the groceries. 

Who: Ed Welburn, former vice president of global design for General Motors 

Brief: “It is my belief that the future will see electric vehicles built in significant volume, with very creative designs that will appeal to customers at all price points. I would like to focus on a new and exciting world of electric vehicles that will appeal to the most discerning customers. Welcome to the return of bespoke coachbuilt vehicles. 

“Instead of focusing on any one design, I would rather focus on a much larger system of bespoke automobiles. It is my view that the electric vehicle of the future will be made of two distinct components: the running chassis, which will house all of the electrical components, including batteries, electrical motors, and systems; and the second major component will be the body, including the full interior. These vehicles will be assembled in high volume, but some running electric chassis will be shipped to coachbuilders who will create and build low-volume or bespoke automobile bodies. These vehicles will include everything from exotic hypercars to sleek coupes, grand sedans, and unique crossovers. All of these bespoke vehicles will use the same advanced electric running chassis, tuned for their customer’s unique desires.” 

Who: Nick and Steve Tidball, founders of Vollebak, a sportswear and adventure-clothing brand 

Brief: “We once ran an ultra-marathon across the Namibia desert. To get into the desert, a large group of us were driven there in a decommissioned military vehicle. The guy driving, who was ex-military, said, ‘Right… up on the roof, hold on to whatever you can!’ We then drove across the desert into the African sunset while holding on to barely anything. It was a wild experience. The vehicle held another 15 people inside. We want that sense of adventure in the Vollebak Rover. Just trying to get inside it should be an adventure. 

“We think electric vehicles will begin to evolve, to take on different wild and extreme parts of our world as we learn from our off-world experiences on Mars, Titan, and the moon—and our Rover reflects this. Our Rover will be made from space-age aluminum alloys, with its four giant wheels on rocker-bogie suspension. The vehicle would seat 15—or 25, if safety is less of a concern for you.” 

Who: Tara Bernerd, founder of design firm Tara Bernerd & Partners 

Brief: “When asked to look at designing an EV of the future, I was thrilled at the notion and relished the challenge despite the fact that designing a car would be a first for me. Therefore, my initial instinct was probably very personal. I have always been a ‘Jeep girl’—one of my first cars was the Renegade Golden Eagle Jeep—and with that in mind, I set to the task. 

“The first thoughts were to consider shape, form, and materiality, and, of course, diving deeper into the way the dashboard and equipment might work. From there I took inspirations from the epic story and film Dune, and at that point a Jeep that could drive the sandy terrains of this futuristic world started to evolve. Anish Kapoor inspired me for the exterior bodywork, and the glamorous bucket seats of a restomod Porsche by Singer were also inspiration. 

“My first design, I felt, looked more like a futuristic toy, and my aim was to carve a shape that might work within a city or off-roading. I arrived at my vision of a Jeep EV for the future, retaining the joy of open-air driving. The bodywork is suggested in stainless steel, with a mirrored finish, complete with substantial wheels and exposed springs. Texture comes within, and tonality turns to a tan caramel leather with a black-lacquered racing-seat frame. Clearly having completed my mission, I have a lot to learn on the dynamics of designing and building a car, but I had a lot of fun trying!” 

Who: Alison Mosshart, artist and singer-songwriter 

Brief: “My feelings on EV cars is the tremendous ugliness of their ‘more modern, more better’ design. If I were to design my dream EV, it would be big and beautiful and hark back to the ’60s and ’70s, before cars were made of trash plastic and cheap tricks. I’d want mine made of steel, decorated and dazzling with chrome and craftsmanship, designed by hand, built by people, comfy, lush handcrafted leather seats, an utter lack of digitization inside, no screen, please. Real dials, a real dashboard, all the bells and whistles hurtling into the red, a back seat you could actually take a nap on, real buttons, heavy metal, thick hunking glass. Did I mention chrome? Serious hubcaps, works of art. Weight. I want the car to have tremendous weight! To move smoothly over potholes and curbs, to crash like a ’70s Cadillac and drive away practically unscathed… the hood emblem catching bugs, wobbling a bit, the rearview mirror a real mirror, not this distorted fun-house crap. I love old cars. Most people love old cars. Because they were works of art. Cherished, polished on the weekends, driven with pride, conversation starters. If EVs are the way of the future, fine, good, but can’t they look desirable? Can’t they look regal? Can’t they feel real? Can’t we build them to last? Let’s go back to heavy metal, chrome, and leather and rediscover the art form of the car itself. We should be converting these old masterpieces, reimagining the unbelievable stock we still have, retrofitting the old-school with new modern hearts. We should be celebrating our rich car history, paying homage to our finest work, that was and still is, endlessly inspiring and beautiful to behold.” 

Who: Dwyer Kilcollin, cofounder of jewelry house Spinelli Kilcollin 

Brief: Sci-fi is my favorite indicator of the world to come. The world we live in today is a brilliant confirmation of the excellent work of the great authors of the past century. Yet, with all of the great works of literature, the one thing that I think about every single time I’m stuck in traffic is Inspector Gadget. The little helicopter blades that come out of his hat? Where is this functionality? I have been waiting to fly above the traffic to cut the line for nearly 40 years! 

“The hovercraft I’m envisioning would not replace cars, but it would add versatility and, importantly, dimension to the traffic grid. To this end, my vehicle is equipped with four drone turbines that fold out from the front and rear of the vehicle, allowing the car to lift off at a moment’s notice. Now, about the front versus the rear of a vehicle: I’m not sure there is a need for the distinction. The car will drive itself, so it seems unimportant to face any particular direction, since none of us will be watching where we are going. Low, sweeping windows allow the smallest children equal opportunity to see the sights, while a roof pane auto-dims depending on the passengers’ preference.” 

Who: Rob Armstrong, creative director of ThirtyC Yacht Design 

Brief: “Introducing the 30C concept EV car, fusion of luxury and functionality. Designed with a focus on spaciousness, it offers a large interior volume, maximizing comfort and versatility. The seating layout is fully adjustable, allowing the cabin to transform for different uses—whether for a relaxed lounge-like setting, a workspace, or a more conventional driving arrangement. 

“Its sleek body is defined by expansive glass surfaces, creating a sense of openness while flooding the cabin with natural light. The extensive use of glass enhances visibility while blurring the boundaries between the interior and exterior, making every journey feel seamless and connected to the surroundings. 

“The roof is equipped with a cutting-edge foldout solar array, designed to reduce the car’s reliance on charging stations and extend range.” 

Who: Mathieu Lehanneur, furniture and lighting designer 

Brief: “An autonomous taxi? Sure. A driverless taxi? So what?… It’s a paradox, but perhaps out of conservatism, innovation often mirrors what came before it. Nothing looks more like a gas-powered car than an electric one, and today’s developing domestic robots aren’t so different from the mechanical automatons of two centuries ago.

“If autonomous taxis are coming, I want the experience to match the technological feat. I want to feel protected but still see the city. I want the freedom to hop on and off as I please. I want to feel like I’m aboard a vessel gliding across the city’s surface, imagining myself as its skipper.” 

Who: Karim Rashid, industrial designer 

Brief: “The car captures the essence of sensual minimalism (a term I coined as a movement that is less, but more humanized) and the idea that the digital age was designed to make our world more sustainable through simplicity. By embracing this philosophy, Karisma becomes more than just a car—it symbolizes a vision for the future, where technology meets elegance and efficiency without excess. 

“The car reflects how design is evolving in response to the needs of a changing world—focusing on sustainability, elegance, and purposeful simplicity. It’s not just about reducing material things but also about amplifying the experience of driving and living with intention and grace. It’s a statement piece that embodies the future of sustain- able accessibility in every curve and detail. 

“I would like the design to include digital elements, like advanced interactive interfaces and seamless integration with smart devices, to further highlight that connection between the digital revolution and sustainability. 

“Each triangular panel is replaceable and produced with structural glass-reinforced polymers. The joinery of each panel would have a lightweight steel bar like a series of roll bars around the entire chassis. 

“Here is the EV car ready for the road tomorrow. Not so sci-fi—a democratic inexpensive vehicle for mass- market. I am an advocate of democratic design: design-ocracy.” 

Who: Tom Kundig, principal, owner, and founder of architecture firm Olson Kundig 

Brief: “As autonomous electric vehicles become more widespread, there’s an opportunity to rethink the existing car-and-driver relationship. If the drive system evolves to become a network of universal standardized movers, the design focus for electric vehicles shifts back to the human element. What could you do with that time and that space if your focus and your experience weren’t oriented toward driving? With the flexibility and limitless possibility to move anything—independent of the cargo’s size, purpose, or destination—all you need is a road. The Autonomous Mover will get it—or you or them—there.” 

Who: Jonathan Mizzi, architect, designer, and founder of Mizzi Studio 

Brief: “The Bio-Flo is not merely a car—it is a manifesto for the future of mobility, where biomaterial innovation and regenerative design converge to redefine the very essence of transportation. Every curve, every material choice, and every function is a deliberate step toward a post-carbon, ecologically attuned future. 

“At its core, Bio-Flo embodies natural intelligence in material engineering. The bodywork is formed from hemp-fiber composites, bio-resins, and bamboo elements, creating a lightweight yet structurally formidable exoskeleton. This transition away from petroleum-based composites signals the dawn of a circular materials economy, where vehicles store carbon rather than emit it. 

“The semitransparent canopy, seamlessly integrated with photovoltaic technology, transforms solar radiation into kinetic potential, turning the car into a self-sustaining energy system. Beneath it, the biomimetic lattice wheels draw from nature’s most efficient structural principles, delivering unparalleled strength-to- weight performance. Internally, the tactile landscape is defined by mycelium-based upholstery, plant-derived leathers, and sustainably harvested timber, crafting an interior that is both organic and avant-garde. 

“Bio-Flo challenges the very ontology of the automobile—not a machine, but a living, breathing extension of nature’s design intelligence. This is no longer speculation. It is the inevitable evolution of automotive design.” 

Who: Giorgio Bulgari, founder and creative director of jewelry house Giorgio B 

Brief: “Driving is freedom. Ever since I was a child, I dreamt of cars, being able to just grab the keys and drive somewhere, anytime. As the world moves closer to autonomous driving, and as EVs become more ubiquitous, I wonder what the future of driving holds for us. 

“I enjoy driving cars that are light, not only powerful. There’s a greater connection to the road and the car itself. Transitioning to EVs has made even small cars heavy and not as enjoyable to drive. So when I was asked to envis- age an EV of the future, I imagined a small car that was both fun to drive and functional. 

“Unlike ICE cars that have a front grille (to cool their engines), a design feature that often defined a car (think of the Mini or Aston Martin), electric cars need expressive lights and strongly defined forms. So I imagined this car with expressive ‘eyes,’ flared arches at the front so that you can see the bonnet while driving (a reference to ’60s race cars), yet simple, with a streamlined design. It’s cute yet not overly feminine. Seats four and is very light (thanks to new technologies), therefore fun to drive. An ideal city car (as most of us will be living in metropolises) that you can still enjoy driving yourself.” 

Who: Jonny Horsfield, owner of H2 Yacht Design

Brief: “I have a rather unhealthy love of alfas from the 70s and 80s especially the GTV 6 coupe from 1983. So I really wanted to design a modern alfa romeo to replace this as well as compete with cars such as the Porsche cayman which is going fully electric later this year. As a student of car design from the 80s I do find my tastes remain with elegant beautiful shapes of the 70s and 80s rather than the rather brutal fussy design we see alot of today. The front grill and lights of any Alfa has to project its character and history.”

“I’ve also rendered it in a lovely alfa red called Rosso Competizione which is a lovely darker shade of red.”

Who: Jarkko Jämsén, founding partner at Aivan Ltd and Navia Design Ltd

Brief: “Our vision for the future is centered around smart, modular manufacturing. Our EV concept is built on a visibly exposed electric platform, a raw and honest foundation that unifies the brand while allowing endless creativity above. The platform on all models remains the same, ensuring efficient production and a strong brand identity. This is true regardless of the model type, be it a sedan, family car, or van. The differentiation between models is achieved through the design of the cabin. A blend of engineering and aesthetics, the platform itself becomes a signature design element.”