Toyota files patent for fake gearboxes in electric cars

The rise of electric vehicles and the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol or diesel vehicles has put the manual gearbox’s future in doubt.

This means that at the end of the decade, all new cars sales will be automatics and the manual gearbox will head towards extinction – or will it?

Toyota has recently filed for a patent to have simulated gearboxes in their electric cars. This will include a gear stick, a clutch pedal and smart software that can control the EV’s torque depending on which fake gear you are in.

The electric car will still run on a single-speed transmission, but it will feel much more like a traditional manual vehicle. This is a move that could delight motoring enthusiasts who are willing to exchange seamless acceleration for a more engaging driving experience.  

First gear will provide lots of torque and the driver will need to move up through the gears to get the best out of the electric motor. The clutch pedal will also be able to provide feedback into the driver’s leg for added realism.

Toyota’s patent is very clear that the fake gearbox won’t improve the performance of the vehicle in any way and that the technology will be for people who are used to driving manual cars.

At this stage though, it is not clear whether these pseudo shifting gear sticks will reach production but it offers hope that the manual gearbox experience might be sticking around for a little longer.