For generations, drivers have known the standard gear stick layout—numbers for forward gears and “R” for reverse in manuals, while automatics feature P, N, D, and R. So when motorists recently spotted the letter “E” on certain older vehicles, confusion followed. Many had never encountered it before.

The question gained attention during a Supercar Blondie discussion, where followers were asked about the mysterious symbol. Seasoned drivers quickly clarified that “E” stood for Economy mode—a feature in select older vehicles designed to conserve fuel by maintaining lower engine revolutions during steady cruising.

Over time, this function faded from mainstream use. Advances in automotive engineering made a separate Economy gear largely redundant. Modern fuel injection, aerodynamics, and computerized management now optimize efficiency automatically.

As a result, the once-practical “E” has become more historical curiosity than necessity. It represents an earlier stage in design evolution, when efficiency required more direct mechanical input from drivers.

Today, the letter carries different meaning. It is now most closely linked with electric vehicles, symbolizing an entirely new direction in transportation. Electric cars operate without multi-speed gearboxes, often replacing conventional sticks with digital selectors.

As electric vehicles grow in popularity, the driving experience continues transforming. Traditional manual gear sticks may eventually become rare, preserved mainly as nostalgic reminders.

In this context, “E” serves as a bridge between past and present—once representing Economy mode, now signaling the rise of electric mobility and a new chapter in motoring history.