When I was first contacted by Thomas Dunne Books to inquire about interest in reading Car Wars, I thought they had remade the classic quasi-RPG of the 1980s. Instead, it turns out, it’s a book about the electrified car and how it’s poised to change automotive forever. Again.
Written by Climatewire founder and Wall Street Journal reporter John J. Fialka, Car Wars is both a EVangelist treatise and an informative background and look at current affairs for electrified vehicles. Fialka holds a very obvious EV-centric slant, but documents his reasoning well. Some of his futuristic predictions may be contended by industry insiders and journalists, but he makes compelling arguments for his forward thinking.
The most fascinating part of this book is the historical overview it offers. From the early days of automotive, electric cars have been both at the forefront and on the fringes. He skims over the earliest days and really gets down and dirty once the hybrid and EV technologies begin to unfold in the latter part of the 20th century.
In the usual manner of those who prize EV technology, Fialka pits much more emphasis on “Big Oil” and its influence on automotive than he does market trends.
Whatever your view on the subject of the present and future of the electric car, Car Wars is a worthy read. The book releases on September 22 and can be pre-ordered on Amazon at this link.
Note: we received a publisher’s advance proof for review.
