As battery technology continues to evolve, hybrid->ke147 and all-electric vehicles->ke1030 have become increasingly popular. That being said, I am pleased to announce that Aston Martin->ke13 is the next manufacturer to step up to the plate. In a recent interview, Andy Palmer – CEO of Aston Martin – announced that the company plans to step into the all-electric market and produce a battery-powered variant of the Rapide->ke1082 by 2017. Shortly after that, we’ll see a battery-powered DBX crossover->ke288 grace showroom floors as well.

During the interview, Palmer reflected on Volkswagen->ke94 AG’s recent diesel scandal and spoke on the effect it has on the group of companies. “It means our customers aren’t going to trust us for a while,” he said. “It also means that time is up for the diesel.” Aston Martin is a V-12 engine company, so the idea of Aston Martin following the industry standard of downsizing and turbocharging just seems ludicrous. “We’re talking about an electric Aston Martin with between 800 and 1,000 horsepower – imagine having all that torque on demand,” He said. “You’ve got to do something radical. Electric power gives you that power. It gives you that torque.”

Palmer recognizes that the company will have to overcome the common range anxiety that currently comes with battery-powered vehicles, but that’s a lot easier than the anxiety that comes with hydrogen-powered vehicles. Because electricity is widely available, and most electric vehicles can charge via a standard outlet, Palmer believes battery-powered vehicles will prevail as technology improves, and manufacturing costs drop.

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Why it matters

I think Aston Martin has the right idea, and it is smart to step onto the field early in the game. Vehicles like the Tesla Model X and the Model S->ke3329 have proven that battery-powered vehicles can offer a decent range. I would rather see Aston Martin produce electric vehicles as opposed to downsizing its engines. Could you imagine James Bond driving a three-cylinder, turbocharged economy car? I sure can’t, but I can see him driving a 1,000 horsepower, luxurious, electric sports car. Who cares what its source of power is – If nothing else, it sure would be stealthy, considering electric motors are so quiet. I’m looking forward to seeing just what Aston Martin in store for the Rapide and the DBX crossover.

Aston Martin Rapide

Read more about the Aston Martin Rapide here.