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Comment by artisinal | Hacker News Reader

The upside of using a platform for EV and hybrid engines is that it typically looks a lot better aesthetically than an EV only platform.

Just look at the Mercedes S class versus the EQS. The EQS was ground up designed as an EV and because of the design decisions made in that process is the ugliest Mercedes designed ever.

Same with the Audi A6 which was always a masterclass in design and now is a generic blob of a car with the new EV only model.

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The aesthetic has nothing to do with it being an EV. They just designed it to be ugly.

A lot of the way EVs look has to do with reducing drag, which extends range. Hence the “blob” shape that the parent is talking about that is common to EVs - and the Prius before that. Or retractable handles.

So not just an aesthetic choice, although carmakers do seem to “lean in” to that aesthetic and go all in on the futuristic look with EVs.

They're already at the kind of range I'd be happy to trade off the other way.

I don't need 400 mile ranges; I'm happy to half that to get a shorter front so I can see the corners, a squared off hatch at the back, and proper headroom. Basically give me a smaller Transit van.

I did the math once how much range you'd get with a converted EV Land Cruiser 80. [0]

In my calculation it was around 100 miles range tops due to battery weight, aerodynamics, unoptimized drivetrain, etc.

[0] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS7clbT...

You may have done a calculation, but these guys have done the real thing:

https://www.jauntmotors.com/series https://www.youtube.com/@Jauntmotors/shorts

Range: 55kWh 250km (155 miles), 110kWh 450km (279 miles).

Excellent! Thanks for sharing!

Maybe without the powertrain that Land Rover might be halfway reliable, finally (hehe) [0]

I was looking more into something like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YX1YOvRpjo (some really nice solutions shown)

[0] https://www.lrukforums.com/media/land-rovers-turning-owners-...

Its reliably improves as the British engineering is reduced... These EV trucks are going to be running for 100 years. No crazy Chinese firmware, no bonkers Musk autonomy, charge them from the solar on your roof, enough torque to pull a semi trailer out of a ditch.

> EV trucks are going to be running for 100 years

Dunno, man. I can't get my phone to work for 5 years.

It's precisely because these EVs don't repackage android or attempt to remain internet connected that will allow them to keep working on the software side. Embedded firmware (for ISO/IEC 15118 comms with the CCS2 port) for charge controllers is about as sophisticated as it gets.

Have I got an E-transit for you: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202512088451612

There's also the Kia PV5, and if you're fabulously wealthy the ID Buzz.

Unfortunately people are convinced that they would rather spend 10 minutes a week at a gas station rather than have to do one 30 minute charge on a road trip once a year.

EV designed cars may operate better but IMO they all look way worse. Except Porsche.

The new Rang Rover electric is indistinguishable from the ICE version.

Lucid Air / Rivian are decent looking but they make no ICE equivalent.

I absolutely abhor the spaceship design of all modern EVs (and even some ICE vehicles). both exterior and interior.

especially with how screen-centric they typically are.

Cue the adage "we don't want your electric car, we want your car, electric".

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