Study reveals how recognisable these 5 AI-generated electric car images are to the public

Of the five electric cars in the research, survey results showed that the Tesla Model 3 was the most recognisable AI-generated EV image – with 51% of respondents correctly identifying it. 

Overall, however, the average rate of recognition of the electric car models in the study was 38%. By comparison, the average recognition rate of the petrol and diesel models was 63%. 

1.Tesla Model 3 – Recognised by 51% of respondents

As the very first EV to top one million sales, it’s perhaps not surprising that the Tesla Model 3 was the most recognisable all-electric model in Vanarama’s research. The Model 3 also racks up 255,000 online searches every month.

2.Tesla Cybertruck – Recognised by 42% of respondents 

Tesla’s Cybertruck, one of the most highly anticipated EVs, was the second-most recognisable all-electric car in the research. Described on Tesla’s website as having ‘better utility than a truck with more performance than a sports car’, it’s no doubt that once the car is released it will become one of the most recognisable cars on the road. 

3.Nissan Leaf – Recognised by 33% of respondents 

Despite the majority of respondents (33%) correctly recognising the AI generator’s attempt at a Nissan Leaf, many struggled. A quarter of those surveyed (25%) believed the AI tool was recreating a Toyota Corolla, while 22% were left totally stumped by the image and couldn’t identify it as any model.

4.BMW iX – Recognised by 32% of respondents 

The Nissan was only a fraction more recognisable than the BMW iX, which was correctly identified by 32% of respondents. The BMW iX is a fairly new EV, with a design that’s unlike the rest of the carmaker’s lineup, so it’s not surprising that it wasn’t as easily recognised as the Tesla Model 3.

5.Honda e – Recognised by 31% of respondents 

Following just behind the BMW iX is the Honda e, with 31% of respondents correctly identifying the AI-generated image of the car. The model is Honda’s first mass-market, pure-electric car – but despite being launched in Europe it is not yet available in America. 

Methodology: 

Vanarama used an AI image generator to recreate ten car models using only the model names and editions – e.g. ‘Porsche 911 2022’. The AI images were then used in a 2,001-person survey, in which respondents were presented with each image and asked to correctly identify the car model that the AI image generator had attempted.

Author: Electric Vehicles Magazine