This camouflage EV charger shows April Fool’s jokes are no laughing matter
We’re stuck with regular-looking home chargers
Story byIoanna Lykiardopoulou
Ioanna is a writer at TNW. She covers the full spectrum of the European tech ecosystem, with a particular interest in startups, sustainabili(show all)Ioanna is a writer at TNW. She covers the full spectrum of the European tech ecosystem, with a particular interest in startups, sustainability, green tech, AI, and EU policy. With a background in the humanities, she has a soft spot for social impact-enabling technologies.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.
Also tagged with
Related Articles
More TNW
About TNW
Unmasking the truth
Unfortunately,a numberof newsoutletsfell for the ruse. As I explored the story, a search led me to the relevant posts on Andersen’sFacebookandTwitteraccounts.
According to these, the invisible charger would be available for sale on Andersen’s websitethat day:
I was intrigued by this “invisible” charger, so I went on the company’s website for more information.
But you know what? Despite my hopes, the specific product was nowhere to be found. I eventually reached out to the company, which confirmed the ‘news’ was part of the April Fool’s ‘fun.’
A bad joke backfires
Compared to other over-the-top April Fool’s auto industry pranks (like Honda’spet co-pilot front seats), Andersen’s invisible charger was actually believable — possibly explaining whysomanypublicationsgot suckered in.
I mean, a camouflage charger wouldn’t add much to the overall experience, but it’s not a completely unreasonable idea for someone who’s spent a lot on a house to want a matching, discreet wall box.
As a potential consumer, I feel let down in two ways: firstly, I got intrigued by a supposedly real product that turned out to be fake; secondly, why not actually create a product that will appeal to a section of the market, especially if the technology can potentially exist?
I mean, it doesn’t even need to be a screen. You could easily take a photo of the space the wallbox will sit and the company could print you out a cover that matches.
That’s not all
The story gets even more ridiculous when we focus on the company itself. Underneath this attempt at humor(?) on Twitter, Andersen was bombarded with consumers highlighting unresolved connection problems:
Spending time making jokes (if it can be called that) instead of addressing the issues regarding its services isn’t a good look for Andersen.
Plus, I don’t see how a believable but fictitious product that confuses people enhances consumer trust or the company’s credibility. In fact, it appears to have done just the opposite.
How about the technology industry just stops all the April Fool’s jokes? They weren’t funny years ago, and they aren’t funny now.
Although, if Andersen does go ahead with the camouflage charger for real, I’ll be here, waiting.
