In an era where electric vehicles are the poster children for cutting-edge technology, California startup, EVision, is looking to embed a wide LED screen in the front bumper of select Tesla Model Y vehiclese. But while the idea of a customizable digital display might seem ingenious at first glance, many are beginning to wonder if this is more about flashy gimmicks than practical innovation.
Priced between $2,500 and $3,000, EVision’s LED bumper screen promises Tesla owners an opportunity to transform their vehicles into mobile billboards. According to the startup, drivers can display everything from faux grilles mimicking high-end brands like Ferrari or Rolly Royce to personal messages and videos, all controlled via a mobile app. The possibilities, they claim, are endless. For businesses and ride-share drivers, this could even translate into a novel advertising platform.
The LED screen’s positioning on the front bumper, a part of the car designed to absorb impacts, raises immediate concerns about durability. Beyond physical durability, the potential for these screens to become dangerous distractions is an issue. While some argue that the technology could be used to relay important hazard alerts or communicate with autonomous vehicles, others worry that a brightly lit, ever-changing display on a moving car could catch other drivers off guard. With strict laws already in place in many regions to limit driver distractions the introduction of such an attention-grabbing feature might invite unwanted regulatory scrutiny. It remains to be seen whether lawmakers will embrace this digital display trend or clamp down on it as a needless risk.
EVision isn’t the first to flirt with the idea of external vehicle displays; several automakers have toyed with similar concepts on concept cars, and GM has even experimented with a rear screen on an electric model in China. However, EVision is betting on the aftermarket appeal, targeting Tesla enthusiasts and potentially other EV owners with a product that feels more like a high-tech accessory than a fundamental upgrade.
