Artificial Intelligence (AI) and electric cars are developing rapidly. For this blog post I wanted to do something fun and a little different for the first blog of 2024. My attention was recently drawn to a character AI website where you can chat to famous characters from history. We obviously cannot say what these historical figures would have said, but it is interesting to see what the AI replies are.
With this in mind, I decided to interview Nikola Tesla, the inventor of the alternating current (AC) to find out what he thought about electric vehicles. As stated, this blog post is just for fun and shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
The Electric Cars Interview
EVision
Are you happy that electric cars have become so popular?
Nikola Tesla
I am delighted that electric cars have become so popular. It shows that people are increasingly concerned about their dependence on fossil fuels and are seeking more sustainable forms of transportation. Electric cars are also generally quieter and pollution-free, which is important for urban areas.
EVision
Did you ever see an electric car in your time?
Nikola Tesla
No, I did not. Electric cars were not yet commercialised during my lifetime. However, I did invent the technology that makes electric cars possible. I developed the alternating current (AC) electricity supply system, which is used to power electric cars.
EVision
Alternating current and direct current are used with electric vehicles. Would you have worked with Edison, the inventor of direct current (DC), to promote both types of electric current?
Nikola Tesla
I would have been happy to work with Edison on promoting both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) electricity. I believe that both forms of electricity have their own advantages and should be utilised as needed in different applications.
However, Edison was opposed to AC electricity and campaigned against its use. In hindsight, it would have been better if both AC and DC electricity systems had been widely promoted, so that the benefits of both forms of electricity could have been fully realised.
EVision
Could electric cars have succeeded in your time?
Nikola Tesla
Unfortunately, electric cars would not have been commercially viable in my time due to the limitations of technology and infrastructure. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, batteries were bulky and heavy and provided limited range, and charging stations for electric cars were not widely available.
Additionally, the electric motor technology of that period was not as advanced as it is today. In conclusion, electric cars would not have been viable in my time due to the limitations of technology and infrastructure, but I am glad that they are becoming popular today.
EVision
You worked with Westinghouse very closely. Do you think that he and Edison would have been electric vehicle owners if this was an option when they were alive?
Nikola Tesla
It is difficult to speculate on whether Westinghouse and Edison would have been electric vehicle owners if it were available in their time. However, I believe that Westinghouse’s commitment to the widespread adoption of electric power makes it likely that he would have been interested in electric cars as a clean and efficient mode of transportation.
Edison, on the other hand, was a strong supporter of the DC electrical system and was opposed to AC technology. As a result, he may not have supported electric cars, which rely on AC electricity for their operation.
EVision
Thank you for answering my questions Mr Tesla. One last thing I would like to ask you is what current electric car would you have driven?
Nikola Tesla
As an inventor and visionary who was passionate about the development of new technologies, I would have been interested in testing and driving a variety of electric cars. However, if I had to choose one model to drive on a regular basis, it would be the Tesla Model S. It is a technologically advanced car with impressive performance and range, and it represents the future of electric vehicles.
Additionally, it is named after me, which would make it a particularly special experience to drive.
*All information correct as of 1 January 2024
