The idea is that because an EV doesn’t have an engine/transmission, it doesn’t really need a hood. So the idea is that you simply remove the hood and making all that space “interior” space instead. This technically would reduce design complexity and allow for access while inside the vehicle, minimizing aerodynamic drag, and maximizing interior volume. Would this even be possible?
That would work great if you want everyone to die in the event of frontal collision…
I do want everyone to die! Start producing that shit!
Is this the case for every cab over design then?
I’m guessing that there’s going to have to be ‘something’ structural up front with some mass in order to protect the occupants.
The other concern I’d have this this particular design is that replacing that ‘windshield’ when it gets chipped/cracked/broken is going to be impressively expensive.
There might not be a combustion engine, but there’s still a motor with enough power to move the vehicle along with a large enough battery to store that power. Those need to go somewhere.
My understanding is that most EVs’ batteries only take up a fraction of the space of an engine, and the motor just goes under the car connected to the drivetrain. So you couldn’t completely get rid of the hood, but most EVs even have a second “trunk” as the hood, so it could definitely be cut down
Most EV batteries are pretty big, but they are flat. Usually they are basically the floor of the vehicle (“skateboard”), about 6 inches tall. There’s nothing from a mechanical/electrical view that requires they put anything in the front hood. Even components like the battery HVAC could be placed at the rear. The front hood (frunk) is largely for styling, convenience, and crash safety.
BTW, this was also (mostly) true of ICE vehicles. Mid/Rear engine designs exist, but that weight distribution causes handling and traction issues.
You could probably put the motor and everything else in the back. Rear wheel drive and you have the front free.
Great for giving everyone that up-skirt view
Really nice cars often come with a frunk because the engine is in the back.
So, if you get rid of the frunk, you can do this with an ICE car.
Then you’re just failing every safety test, but with how, uh, some specific EVs already struggle with that…I don’t think it matters if you pay the right people the right amount of money.
