It can be deployed and works as either a consecutive shifter or a complete six-speed manual. The downside is that there are no real gears to shift.

Electric vehicles possess significantly distinct drivetrains compared to those powered by internal combustion engines; however, this hasn’t deterred manufacturers from attempting to replicate the driving experiences familiar to most motorists. For instance, Ford’s recently filed patent application, made public on March 20, outlines details about incorporating a manual transmission feel into electric cars. The system won’t involve actual gear changes, yet that isn’t what matters here.

The patent—titled
Assembly for Shifting Mechanism in an Electric Car
—features an authentically vintage shift knob attached within a compartment. Were this shifter designed for, example, a Ford Mustang Dark Horse, it would be installed on the transmission tunnel and linked mechanically to a six-speed gearbox.

In this setup, it merely rests on an elevated part of the flooring surface and interacts with different actuators controlled by an electronic power management system. As described in the patent, this system “regulates the distribution of electric energy supplied by the battery pack, thereby managing the motor speeds and adjusting the torque generated by each motor.”

To put it differently, when you move the control lever back and forth, this action sends signals to adjust the power output from the electric vehicle’s motor (or motors). This process emulates the gear changes found in traditional transmissions. It might seem like this would make your EV less efficient due to interruptions in power delivery, but that isn’t the primary objective here.

Ford is not the only one attempting this concept; Hyundai was the first to introduce it.
with the Ioniq 5 N
, featuring simulated paddle shifters designed to provide experiences akin to those of a gasoline-powered car, perfect for a track day or an exciting drive on winding roads. Similarly, Toyota is attempting something along these lines with the new model.
Lexus RZ
, and we have tested prototypes in Japan
using a virtual joystick
—equipped with a clutch and stall-outs. Nevertheless, it’s uncertain whether the manual stick shift will be featured in any production cars; paddle shifts appear more probable for regular use.

Thanks to their immediate start-up without the hindrance of gears, electric vehicles (EVs) are currently the fastest mass-produced cars globally. The focus here is on driver involvement, which EVs admittedly lack compared to models such as a Mazda MX-5 Miata or perhaps an older pickup truck featuring a long shifter protruding from the dashboard. These systems can be set up for sequential operation or adhere to a traditional six-speed layout.

In this regard, Ford’s electric vehicle (EV) shifter doesn’t just operate mechanically. The base includes tiny motors that offer haptic feedback via the gearshift lever. This allows the stick to mimic the vibration of a rough-running 6.2-liter V-8 engine found in a Camaro. When shifting gears, it also offers a gritty resistance for added realism. While somewhat intriguing, it comes off as slightly gimmicky too. And since
Most electric vehicles lack transmissions.
The complete setup can be withdrawn if you simply wish to drive conventionally. Those who have previously had to clamber over a large console to move between front seats will surely value this feature.

Currently, this idea exists only as a patent. The initial filing dates back to 2023, indicating that Ford has had this concept in mind for quite some time. However, whether it will become reality remains uncertain. This approach might serve as an attractive option to draw devoted fans of conventional vehicles towards electric cars.

Manual EVs:

• This Vintage Porsche 356A Is Now Electric—But Retains a manual Transmission
• Toyota’s EV Manual Transmission Compared to Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s Synthetic Dual Clutch: A Comparison Analysis
• I Test-Drove Toyota’s Manual-Transmission Electric Vehicle. It’s Way More Enjoyable Than You’d Expect.
• Lexus Confirms Manual Transmission for Electric Vehicles; LFA successor might feature it as well.