Jay Leno is an iconic comedian and renowned car collector but he was not joking about his prediction about the future of electric vehicles.
In an interview with the USA Today, Leno stated the obvious — that the transportation industry has already shifted its attention to electric — but he went one step further in making a bold proclamation regarding how quickly the future could get here.
“I predict a child born today, most likely by the time they’re 18, may not have ever ridden in an internal combustion car,” he said. “I think electric will be the future.
The former host of Tonight Show has built a multimillion-dollar collection over his years in the spotlight, and then showcased them on his CNBS show, Jay Leno’s Garage. His collection includes a 1954 Jaguar XK120M Coupe, 1994 McLaren F1, 1969 Lomborghini Miura S, a 1970 Mazda Cosmo. He also owns the first electric vehicle, a 1909 Baker.
The technology from the Baker Electric, which went 80 miles on a single charge, certainly has improved. The drivable distances are what will make the products more attractive, according to Leno.
“It wasn’t until recently with new battery technology that you get hundreds and hundreds of miles (on a charge),” Leno said. “I think we’ll see a thousand-mile range pretty soon.”
As technology continues to improve, and prices drop with it, Leno could be proven prophetic.
You can watch the entire video between Leno and USAToday reporter, Dalvin Brown, below.
