Electric vehicles are exciting. Not just from an engineering perspective, but also how it affects the overall design of a large-scale production road vehicle.
The way in which a gas fueled vehicle has been designed over the years has been completely affected by the way in which the classic engine must be considered by those creating the overall shape, and design of an automobile.
This is so exciting when i think about attending auto shows as a kid, and staring at futuristic concept vehicles in complete awe.
A simplification of the overall design of a mass-production car is possible. Concepts which seemed like fantasy, are now a lot more viable and workable ideas.
- Working cycles
- Cylinder arrangement
- Cooling
- Compression ratio
- Ignition
Cars are becoming a lot more focused on their CPU and ECU unit than ever before. And like with many other technologies, this will open up a whole new realm for integration of innovative ideas.
Different EV’s could in theory have a “shell” which may be removable, and easily replaceable. There are a lot of different variations and concepts, ranging from the completely hideous Nissan Pivo 2. To current designs that are really cars designed for the traditional petrol engine and have an electric engine under the hood, like the Nissan Leaf. Which to a certain extent seems like an exercise in bridging between petrol and electric. Here are some examples of workable EV’s which, although at first seem very strange, make complete sense. The Renault Twizy (a little bit smart car), and the Volkswagen Nils, which is very efficient, numbers based and weirdly practical.
Renault Twizy 
Volkswagen Nils
