Bridging the past and the future

Lisbon’s modern EVs in vintage clothing

- By INIGO S. ROCES

The march of progress is difficult to halt, yet in some cases, the two can be made to work together in surprising harmony. Such is the case for Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal.

Founded as far back as 1200 BCE, this historic city is rich in architecture, boasting of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, Modern and Postmodern buildings found all over the capital. With such a historic city center and skyline, it’s easy to understand how preserving as much of it as possible is important to the Portuguese government.

Picturesque Lisbon

Few European cities paint a picture as beautiful as Lisbon does. Think San Francisco’s iconic hills, overlooking a bay area, but with a skyline dotted with mid-rise colonial buildings rather than modern skyscrapers. Much of the city is still composed of well-preserved colonial buildings with their distinct terra cotta tile roofs, cobblestone streets, and fully functioning street trams. Throw in a few tall cypress trees here and there and you’ve got the makings of a typical Lisbon postcard.

So how does this city take advantage of the burgeoning tourism boom while still preserving the unrivaled historic aura of its capital? With electrified vehicles that look just as historic as their backdrop.