In an audacious move to provide drivers with a more relatable and authentic driving experience, electric car manufacturers are now programming their vehicles to grumble about gas prices as if they still ran on gasoline. According to industry insiders, the latest software update, dubbed “Echo of Gasoline,” allows electric cars to simulate the nostalgic moaning about gas prices that many drivers miss dearly.
David Sparks, a spokesperson from Electric Auto Whiz, explained the rationale behind the peculiar update. “We realized that although our customers love how environmentally friendly and cost-effective their electric cars are, they were missing out on the age-old ritual of complaining about fluctuating gas prices. After all, what’s a road trip without blaming the economy for your empty wallet?”
The update features a range of customizable complaints voiced by artificial intelligence, ranging from “Why does gas have to cost an arm and a leg?” to more regionally specific grumbles like, “Remember when we used to drive to the next town for cheaper gas? Good times.”
In a bid to cater to various demographics, the update also includes an option to switch between different accents and dialects. Now, whether you’re from Texas or have roots in the Scottish Highlands, your car can complain in a way that feels like home.
Some owners were initially astonished when their typically silent electric vehicle suddenly began engaging them in conversations about fuel economy. Edward Greenstone, a Tesla owner from Manchester, shared his surprise: “I was driving to yoga class when my car suddenly said, ‘I’d sell my battery pack for a quid if it meant cheaper gas!’ I nearly swerved off the road!”
Not content with reintroducing complaints alone, Electric Auto Whiz is also planning future updates that will simulate other nostalgic driving challenges. Owners can look forward to “Winter Wipers Woes,” where their electric car will mimic the sound of wipers screeching on ice, and “Radio Roulette,” a feature that randomly scans for radio stations with poor reception in remote areas.
Naturally, the update has met with mixed responses. Environmentalists and EV purists have expressed skepticism, questioning why anyone would want their car to whine about something they intentionally avoided by buying an electric vehicle. However, traditionalists welcome the update with open arms, believing it could be the bridge between nostalgic gasoline pasts and eco-friendly futures.
Critics concern themselves less with the complaints and more with how the change might impact the vocal Fry family parrots. Known for mimicking alarming vehicle sounds, Polly is already squawking about “those outrageous petrol policies.”
As electric car manufacturers continue to find ways to blend the past with the present, drivers are bracing themselves for what’s next. Will our electric cars soon start arguing with us about our choice of music or remind us to “take it easy” as they simulate the nervy hum of an ancient engine? Only time will tell.
Until then, enjoy your electric car’s version of a nostalgic road trip filled with grumbles about gas prices—because even in a future filled with clean energy, some habits are hard to unplug.