Electric vehicles have completely different powertrains versus combustion-powered cars, but that's not stopping automakers from trying to mimic the sensations that most drivers are used to. Case in point: Ford's new patent application, published on March 20, reveals the finer points of a good ol' stick shift for EVs. Of course, it's not actually swapping any cogs, but that's not the point.
The patent—titled Shifter Assembly For Electric Vehicle—showcases a properly old-school shift lever mounted in a box. If this was a shifter for, say, a Ford Mustang Dark Horse, it would mount on the transmission tunnel and connect via mechanical linkages to a six-speed gearbox.
Here, it simply sits on a raised section of the floor and bumps into various actuators that are managed by an electronic power controller. According to the patent, this "manages the flow of electrical energy delivered by the battery pack, controlling the speed of the motors and the torque each motor produces."
In other words, as you row the stick fore and aft, signals are sent to alter the output from the vehicle's motor (or motors), mimicking the shifts of a standard transmission. Presumably, that makes your EV slower since output is interrupted, but again, that's not the point.
Ford isn't alone in trying this idea. Hyundai pioneered it with the Ioniq 5 N, which has simulated paddle-shifters to create gas-car-like sensations ideal for a track day or a good back-road. Toyota is trying something similar on the new Lexus RZ, and we have tested prototypes in Japan that use a simulated stick—complete with a clutch and stall-outs. However, it's unclear if the stick will go to any production vehicles; paddles seem more likely for everyday driving.
With instant-on power unburdened by gears, EVs are already the quickest production vehicles on planet Earth. This is all about driver engagement, something that EVs frankly aren't as good at when compared to something like a Miata, or even an old pickup truck with a miles-long gear lever sticking up from the floor. It can be configured for sequential use or follow a six-speed pattern.
On that front, Ford's EV shifter doesn't mindlessly go through the motions. Small motors are built into the base that provide force feedback through the lever. It can vibrate the stick like a lumpy 6.2-liter V-8 Camaro, and when you move between the "gears" it provides some notchy resistance. That's kinda neat, if a bit hokey. And since most EVs don't have transmissions, the entire assembly can be retracted if you just want to drive normally. Anyone who's ever had to crawl over a big stick to swap front seats will appreciate that.
For now, this is just a patent. It was originally filed back in 2023 so Ford's been thinking about this for some time. Whether it ultimately comes to fruition is anyone's guess, but it could be a way to entice traditional enthusiasts into the EV world.
