The study of automobile charging, like the study of human psychology, has been limited to its functional aspects. But what if there is an erotic charge behind it all? Is there a deeper meaning to the way we power up our electric vehicles that can be applied to our intimate lives as well?
Sure enough, cars and sex have long been linked together in popular culture, from James Dean's hot rod to the sleek shapes of vintage sports cars. And while most of this connection lies within our subconscious, some researchers believe that there may be more to it than meets the eye.
One example comes from a 2016 study published in the Journal of Consumer Research. The study found that when consumers were given a choice between two identical electric vehicles, one with a male voice narrating the battery status and the other with a female voice, they were more likely to choose the vehicle with the woman's voice. This suggests that there may be an unconscious sexualization of charging that leads people to associate women with recharging their batteries.
But why might this association exist? Psychosexuality, or the idea that early childhood experiences shape our later attitudes towards sex, could play a role. If a person had positive associations with their mother during their developmental years, they may transfer those positive feelings onto the act of recharging themselves - whether that be through their car or through another activity. On the other hand, negative experiences with their mother may lead to negative associations with recharging.
Another possible explanation lies in fetishism. Some people may find the act of plugging in their car or connecting to a charging station erotic because it reminds them of certain activities associated with kinky sex practices like bondage or dominance-submission games. In fact, one study has even suggested that those who own Tesla Model S's tend to have higher levels of masochistic tendencies compared to non-Tesla drivers!
Of course, these explanations are just speculation at this point. But the connection between cars and sex is undeniable - both are about power, performance, and control. And if we can learn to understand the psychology behind charging our electric vehicles, maybe we can apply that knowledge to other areas of our lives as well.