CES is the nation’s flagship tech extravaganza and while it’s still a gadget geek’s paradise, it’s also become a sprawling automotive playground. The future is now, old man, and it’s sleek, electric, and oozing with tech.
CES’s knack for blending cutting-edge tech with high-octane theatrics has always made it compelling. Over the past few years, that magic has increasingly centered around the auto industry. At last year’s event, we got a peek at the Sony-Honda AFEELA car, interesting developments in autonomous driving, and even the promise of airborne cars straight out of sci-fi.
The 2025 edition is set to keep that momentum revving. From January 7 to 10, CES will take over Las Vegas. Here’s what to watch for if you’re an EV enthusiast, a self-driving hopeful, or just someone who dreams of a flying commute.
1. New EVs from the major players
As noted, the Sony-Honda collaboration EV, AFEELA, made its debut at CES 2024. This year, the tech titans are stepping it up, allowing attendees to demo the car’s cutting-edge features and onboard tech. The project is now under the purview of the Sony Honda Mobility Group, which plans to unveil pre-order details and other updates during a keynote on January 7.
Meanwhile, Honda will be showcasing two prototypes from its upcoming 0 Series EV lineup. These vehicles are slated to feature Honda’s proprietary operating system paired with “autonomous driving technology.”
2. More autonomous driving and SDVs
When it comes to autonomous driving, the CES hype machine is in full gear, with startups flooding inboxes to tout their latest innovations. While companies like Ambarella showcase some impressive tech, it’s clear that for many, the dream of street-ready autonomy remains just that — a dream.
Still, that hasn’t stopped a wave of companies from leveraging CES to highlight the industrial potential of automated vehicles. Applied EV, for instance, plans to unveil autonomous solutions designed for niche sectors like mining, transportation, and specialized logistics. Meanwhile, the robo-trucking segment is gearing up to make its presence known, offering awe-inspiring displays of innovation that also raise tough questions about the future of work.
Tying it all together is one of CES’s most significant trends: Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs). These are cars where software takes precedence over hardware, redefining not just how vehicles operate but how they’re built. Honda’s 0 Series, for example, epitomizes this shift, and startups are lining up to showcase how software-centric design could revolutionize mobility as we know it.
3. Infrastructure
The future of mobility may be electric, but turning that vision into reality hinges on building the right infrastructure. That’s why CES 2025 will be brimming with startups flaunting their EV charging innovations, aiming to fill the gaps left as the Tesla Supercharger network remains in limbo. The goal for now is a more accessible, widespread charging infrastructure nationwide.
Take EVgo, for instance, a startup making waves after securing a $1.25 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Biden Administration to supercharge public EV charging infrastructure. However, with Trump set to take office in 2025, the trajectory of EV adoption and support remains uncertain (or worse, in danger). For now, CES provides a critical stage for startups to showcase their technology to investors.
4. AI
You knew it was coming: cars are getting AI. Love it or loathe it, artificial intelligence is no longer a hypothetical feature —it’s the future of driving. At CES 2025, AI will be front and center, with major manufacturers and ambitious startups ready to show off their latest innovations.
One of the standout panels in this regard is “Revolutionizing the Future of Driving: Unleashing the Power of AI,” featuring execs from Honda, BMW, and Rivian. They’ll delve into how AI is reshaping the driving experience, promising everything from smarter in-car assistants to fully reimagined user interfaces.
We’ve already seen glimpses of this with Mercedes-Benz, which integrated ChatGPT to power a conversational virtual assistant in its vehicles. At CES, expect the buzz to be around “agentic AI”—intelligent systems designed to replace traditional dashboard UI/UX with something more adaptive, predictive, and intuitive.
And if that’s not enough to excite, Hyundai plans to showcase its futuristic holographic windshield display tech, offering a tantalizing peek at what’s next for augmented reality on the road. In short: buckle up for an AI-powered ride.
5. Modularity
At CES, car manufacturers are reimagining vehicles as more than just a means to get from point A to point B. This shift was evident at CES 2024 with Kia’s PBV series — wildly modular cars designed to adapt to a variety of roles. Expect that vision to expand at CES 2025, with the standout being XPENG AEROHT’s modular flying car, a concept straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster.
The challenge for this futuristic sector will be proving necessity. While modular vehicles are undeniably cool, the hefty price tags demand practical use cases to justify the investment. Kia’s strategy last year highlighted this reality, positioning its modular EVs as solutions for business owners, industrial applications, and gig economy workers.
