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A Look at the Innovations That Could Shape the Future of Emily GT
During my visit to NEVS, I had the chance to sit down with Peter Dahl, the former project manager and chief engineer of the Emily GT. While much has been said about the groundbreaking electric sedan, what remains largely unknown is the technology that was tested but never made it into the six existing prototypes.
From next-gen HUD systems to steer-by-wire and fully electronic braking, Peter shared insights into what could have been—and what might still be—if the Emily GT reaches production.
The Unused Heads-Up Display (HUD) System
One of the most intriguing innovations that never made it into the Emily GT prototype was a heads-up display (HUD). The idea was to eliminate the current driver screen mounted on the steering column and replace it with a projected display directly onto the windshield.
Why It Didn’t Happen
NEVS found a potential HUD supplier from France, but there were significant technical challenges:
- The steeply raked windshield on the Emily GT caused much of the projected image to be lost.
- In bright sunlight, the display was too dim.
- The only solution at the time was to use a special transparent film on the windshield that would better absorb the projection, but the film had a noticeable matte texture and visible seams.
For a premium EV like Emily GT, Peter Dahl believed this was not an acceptable compromise. With limited time to find a better supplier, the HUD was dropped from the prototype.
Will it return in the production version?
Peter is confident that, if the Emily GT reaches production, a modern HUD system will replace the current driver screen, as HUD technology has improved significantly since 2020.
Steer-by-Wire: The Future of Emily GT’s Steering?
NEVS engineers also tested steer-by-wire, a cutting-edge system that replaces the traditional mechanical steering column with electronic controls. This allows the driver to steer the car purely through digital inputs without a physical connection between the wheel and the front wheels.
The Advantages of Steer-by-Wire
- Precision control: Minimal steering input needed in tight spaces.
- Easier LHD/RHD production: No need for different steering assemblies for left- and right-hand drive cars.
- Customizable steering feel: Adjustable steering resistance and feedback, with automatic correction for road irregularities.
Why It Didn’t Happen
The plan was to retrofit the existing Emily GT prototypes with steer-by-wire in 2021. However, financial constraints halted further development.
Will it return in production?
Peter Dahl, who currently works on steer-by-wire projects, believes it will absolutely be implemented if Emily GT reaches the market.
Brake-by-Wire: The Step Toward a Fully Digital Braking System
Emily GT already features an electrohydraulic brake system—a form of brake-by-wire where:
- The in-wheel motors handle most braking through regenerative braking.
- When additional stopping power is needed, the mechanical brakes activate.
- The system is redundant, meaning a traditional hydraulic backup exists in case of failure.
The Next Step: Fully Electronic Brakes
The vision for a production Emily GT is to eliminate hydraulic braking altogether. The entire braking system would be digital, using only electric actuators.
Peter Dahl believes this transition is inevitable, as fully electronic brake systems are becoming more common in high-end EVs.
What Could Have Been—And What Still Might Be
While financial struggles prevented NEVS from implementing these technologies, Peter Dahl remains optimistic. The Emily GT was ahead of its time, and if it ever reaches production, it will likely return with an even more advanced technological package.
Stay tuned as we continue exploring the engineering and design behind Emily GT, featuring exclusive insights from the people who built it.
