The Petersen Automotive Museum is a great place to see the past, present and future of the automobile. In the heart of Los Angeles, the museum is showing how Volkswagen is charging up for an electrifying future. It is also displaying some of the most fascinating paraphernalia and unique electric cars in the world.
For our Electrifying Summer series, here is a glimpse into the past, present and future of electric vehicles on display.
The museum is now fully reopened after over a year of Covid closure. It is coming back strong.
“There was a pent up demand since we reopened. We have had 55,000 visitors in three months,” says Michael Bodell, Chief Operations Officer of the Petersen.
“We wanted to showcase future technologies and alternative power. There are two galleries. Our production gallery is always a single manufacturer, which is Volkswagen. The second gallery is the alternative fuel gallery,” says Bodell.
Volkswagen’s Electric Future Inspired by the Past
“People are really curious about the future of power. In only a few years, everybody is going to have to have an electric vehicle. We wanted to get ahead of that and tell the story. Volkswagen was a perfect partner,” says Bodell.
“We chose Volkswagen because they are investing so much in having their entire line go electric,” says Bodell.
“Volkswagen has been an amazing partner to work with because they are investing so much in electric propulsion. They are the innovators looking into solid-state batteries. They are mass-producing electric cars at a scale that is bigger than anyone. It’s great to be part of that future” adds Bodell
Building an Electric Future highlights the origins of Volkswagen and how they are going back to their roots. They are creating the next generation of cars inspired by the fun cars of the past, says Bodell.
Inspirations from the past are part of the latest electric Volkswagen designs. A 1952 Volkswagen Type 2 DeLuxe Microbus and a VW dune buggy are on display. The area is titled, ‘From Beetle to Dune Buggy’.
“Volkswagen has a strong heritage in the USA. Everybody loves the Beetle and the famous VW T1 campervan. To combine strong heritage with the visionary sustainable future of the brand seemed natural,” says Klaus Zyciora, Head of Volkswagen Group Design.
“It’s always inspirational to look back in the past and to create a strong vision for the future,” adds Zyciora.
The first thing that teases the story is three maquettes, the I.D. VIZZION, ID. Buggy and the ID. R race car. The ID.R won all the awards, Pikes Peak, Goodwood, showing the abilities of electrification for a platform of performance, accompanied by sketches.
“They bring up people’s perception of electric cars,” says Bodell, “Plus the kids love them.”
Visitors get to see the working parts of an electric vehicle through a separated Volkswagen ID. 3, only available in Asia and Europe.
“We show how the marriage of the chassis and body of the car come together. It showcases the MEB platform for VW, modular battery and motor system. It highlights the electric powertrain is much cleaner. There are fewer moving parts,” says Bodell. The Petersen is the only place displaying the new MEB platform from Volkswagen.
The museum continually changes the vehicles displayed. The ID. VIZZON was showed first. Then the uber-popular ID. Buzz was recently replaced by the ID. 4 that competed in Baja off-road race (National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA). The Baja 1000 is a gruelling off-road race. The ID.4 is the first production-based electric vehicle to complete the 1,350-kilometre (840-mile) race.
“I really enjoyed this great collaboration that gave us the chance to show what the transformation towards electrification and digitalization means for Volkswagen as a brand and for a designer,” says Zyciora, “It is important for us to stay in touch with all cultural institutions to get to know the needs and opinions of our customers and the society.”
“Los Angeles has always been a true inspiration to car designers around the world. Light, sound, people, weather, it is truly sensational. The museum with its landmark architecture and its stunning exhibits is always worth a visit whilst you are in California”, adds Zyciora.
Wild, Crazy and Luxurious Electric Cars Through the Decades
In a separate gallery, the ‘Alternating Currents: The Fall and Rise of Electric Vehicles’ exhibit shows past electric cars, chargers and unique prototypes and vehicles of the future.
“We work with all the manufacturers. It is good for them to showcase the newest and latest products,” says Bodell.
Electric cars are not new. The earliest EV on display is 1915 Detroit Electric Model 61 Brougham; it could travel 80 miles on a charge but took a week to charge the batteries. There is a GM EV1, along with the VHS tape and manual and everything that came with it. Most EV1s were destroyed as shown in the film ‘Who Killed the Electric Car’.
Electric is now all about the technology with smarter cars and longer range, says Bodell about the newer models shown.
All Shapes and Sizes
Also on display is one of the first Tesla Roadsters and the original Tesla Model S prototype, the futuristic Faraday Future FFZER01 CONCEPT revealed at CES 2016, Cake Electric bike, ElectraMechanica Solo and Bollinger Motors’ B1 SUV. The Karma Motors GS-6 is currently being shown.
“We’ve previously displayed our Karma Revero GT. We have been asked to display our Karma GT by Pininfarina as part of a Pininfarina tribute”, says Jeff Holland, Global Director of Communications, Karma Automotive LLC.
“The Petersen is one of the most widely known and respected automotive museums in the world. We consider it a privilege to have our vehicles exhibited for car enthusiasts to view and experience.”
As a boutique luxury vehicle producer, having a Karma vehicle display at the Petersen helps Karma’s brand recognition. It creates awareness with consumers who may not be as familiar with the mark, says Holland.
“We consider it extremely important to do our part in continuing to educate consumers on electric vehicles as they become more mainstream. Our GS-6 is a rolling sculpture from a design perspective. Yet, it’s still a very capable and functional luxury electric vehicle,” adds Holland.
There are also colourful electric cars that most people have probably never seen before in all shapes and sizes as well as vehicle chargers.
“The next generation of enthusiasts will be driving the next generation of electric cars.”
Los Angeles is the largest car market and California is the largest market for EVS in the country, says Bodell.
“Our goal is education. We want visitors to have a great time learning either through the online video that started through the pandemic or through exhibits. People are really fascinated by the electric vehicles on display. I think, most people have never driven an electric car, when you drive in one it’s a completely different experience,” he says.
“Our mission is to preserve and present, getting people intrigued and igniting that kind of curiosity. We host a lot of events. Sometimes, we’ll do rides and drives. This could inspire somebody to take a test drive or get in a friend’s electric car. That would be wonderful. Our challenge is to build that next generation of enthusiasts, and the next generation of enthusiasts will be driving the next generation of electric cars,” concludes Bodell.
Keyword: Electrifying Summer – Electrification From The Past to The Latest Volkswagen ID, And Beyond – LA’s Petersen Automotive Museum