Cars have been an integral part of cinema since its early days. Iconic vehicles like the Aston Martins in the James Bond series and the fast cars in the Fast & Furious franchise have captivated audiences worldwide. Now, as electric vehicles (EVs) grow in popularity, they are increasingly taking center stage in television and films. Here's a look at how EVs are evolving on the big screen:

According to Gridserve, the number of EVs in films has skyrocketed by 2,967% since 2010. In 2010, only three EVs appeared in movies, but by 2022, that number had surged to 92.

The Tesla Model S is the most frequently featured EV, which isn’t surprising given its status as the UK's best-selling electric car. The Model S has appeared in 75 different films.

The study also reveals that half of the EVs seen in movies are hatchback models. So far, only two electric pickups have made it to the big screen, which is understandable given the limited availability of electric pickups on the market.

EVs have played significant roles in several Hollywood blockbusters. In Iron Man, Tony Stark (portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.) drives a Tesla Roadster and an Audi R8 e-tron. The Audi e-tron also features in Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Endgame. In The Avengers, Stark drives a hybrid Acura NSX concept car.

The Tesla Model S, the most commonly seen EV in cinema, appears in Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) and Fifty Shades of Grey (2015). The Nissan Leaf has also made appearances in Parental Guidance (2012) and The Babysitter: Killer Queen (2020). In 2019, the Nissan Leaf starred in Michael Dowse’s Stuber, where an Uber driver uses the electric car.

In Barbie (2023), Margot Robbie’s character drives a vibrant pink version of a Chevrolet Blazer EV. 

In early 2023, Netflix and General Motors announced a partnership as part of GM's "Everybody In" campaign, promoting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Netflix plans to increase the presence of EVs in its original productions.

GM will supply electric vehicles for Netflix shows such as Love Is Blind, Queer Eye, and Unstable. For instance, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV appears in Love Is Blind, the GMC Hummer EV in Queer Eye, and the Cadillac LYRIQ in Unstable.

With this Netflix-GM partnership and the growing presence of EVs in blockbuster films, the future of electric vehicles in the film industry looks promising. As more people adopt EVs in real life, their on-screen representation will continue to rise, solidifying their place in movies and television.