Automotive

Dyson developing battery-electric vehicle for 2020

James Dyson has revealed the company that bears his name is working on a battery electric vehicle
Background by Iakov/Depositphotos
James Dyson has revealed the company that bears his name is working on a battery electric vehicle
Background by Iakov/Depositphotos

James Dyson, the British inventor and businessman behind Dyson, has announced the company famous for vacuums and hand dryers plans to develop a battery-electric vehicle. In a letter to employees, Dyson said the company would have the vehicle ready by 2020.

Although it's best known for expensive cyclonic vacuum cleaners, Dyson has its fingers in many pies. The company makes (expensive) blade-less fans and an (expensive) hair dryer, and is a huge investor in robotics and artificial intelligence research. Anyone who has used an airport bathroom recently will be familiar with the Airblade, too.

James Dyson says he's already assembled a 400-strong team to work on the vehicle, and the company plans to invest £2 billion (US$2.69 billion) in the project. In typical Dyson fashion, there are no details about the car at the moment because "competition for new technology in the automotive industry is fierce."

So, why is a vacuum company going into the EV business? Well, back in 1993, a Dyson team developed a cyclonic exhaust filter for diesel vehicles. Although the technology was (reportedly) effective, there was very little interest within the automotive industry, which was concerned about disposing of the waste it would create.

Developing an electric car is another way to tackle emissions, and a logical next step for Dyson, which has spent countless millions on developing powerful motors, fans and batteries for its products.

Source: Dyson via Twitter

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11 comments
Leonard Foster Jr
Bring back Aptera.
ThomasByrne
Guaranteed to clean up so long as the styling doesn't suck...
David F
I hope Dyson's design uses a separate chassis, which will form the basis of a range of vehicles in the future.
DavidB
I want to go on record as having trademarked Dyson's marketing slogan for the vehicle, should it ever go into production:
"Dyson. Our Cars Don't Suck"™
Joe J Sinkwitz
Sure hope the thing lasts more than 20 minutes on the road.... I'm lucky if I can get at least 20 minutes out of my EXPENSIVE Dyson animal vacuum.
habakak
...expensive cyclonic vacuum cleaners...(expensive) blade-less fans and an (expensive) hair dryer...
Add (expensive) electric car...Dyson is an innovator and this is not surprising.
CharlieSeattle
Is the vehicle shown a street sweeper?
Martin Hone
Seriously ? the best we can come up with is a pic of a vacuum cleaner !
alan c
Most interesting for me is the mention of the Dyson cyclonic diesel filter; I exhibited an invention at an exhibition where the Dyson filter was on display, and I thought it was a great idea but there was no legislation at the time to enforce its' use so now we have diesel DPF problems when we could have had a passive filter. The waste could have been dealt with by treating it as an asset and sending it to a CHP facility with your domestic waste. As for the Dyson vehicle, it will use a switched reluctance motor, which will be Dyson's USP which does not need rare earth magnets.
S Michael
Like all of their other products. Overprice and under performance. No thanks.