Alps Alpine Senior Manager of Business Planning Kunihiko Sato told us in February, “In the majority of electric vehicles, head units are not replaceable…so this is the starting point for Alpine to build for the EV market.”
Jason Hannon of Alpine added that since EVs are quiet and lacking engine noise, drivers will be able to better hear the benefits of Hi-Res Audio, which Alpine has focused on with its new Status and F#1Status audio series.
Hannon added, “A lot of dealers are afraid to touch EVs. We’re showing with this product [Optim8] that you don’t have to be afraid with this.”
Distributor DOW Technologies is already preparing for the EV shift. Dave Elkin, Senior VP at DOW said in February, “In the next couple of years, EVs will skyrocket …We’re in the process of creating an EV category on our website where we will highlight products that are specific to EV vehicles. We know it’s coming.”
One of the first of those products is a Wallbox EV charger, which the company now distributes. DOW is also compiling a roster of electricians around the country to help dealers set up the EV chargers.
Massive Audio is looking into amplifiers specific to electric vehicles. XS Power is “actively expanding into the EV market due to increased market demand, and at this time currently offers battery products “able to be used on the ’12 volt’ side in the majority of EV vehicles,” said Shawn Mayo. It already offers “add on” batteries capable of working with EVs using 15.5 volts.
Harman’s Jeff Fay said the company already supplies amplifiers capable of voltages higher than 12 volts.
