The Reason Why All Electric Cars Look So Similar

By Anthony K

It is no news that electric cars are the new thing in the automobile industry. They aim to eliminate humans’ dependence on gasoline. In fact, by 2035, the sale of gasoline-fueled cars will be banned in the UK.

Photo credits: REE

Early electric vehicles (EVs) occasionally had less cargo capacity or legroom than their gas-powered counterparts because automakers frequently stacked batteries beneath the back seat. They also often placed the motor assemblies under the hood. Over the years, designers have come up with different EV designs to improve problem areas and meet the customers’ needs.

Non-native platforms were deemed ineffective for electric car design by automakers in 2017. Since the launch of the Model S in 2012, we’ve seen a flood of new models on specialized EV platforms that are comparable to the flat-battery, motors-at-the-axles “skateboard” layout Tesla has been adopting.

Photo Credits: AEV Robotics

Skateboards are the key to the design of cars in the future. The term “skateboard” describes the flat, frequently self-supporting chassis of an electric vehicle, which also houses the suspension, brakes, and wheels, as well as a sizable battery pack in the center and motors at either end. We know, the terminology isn’t unique, but at least it gets the point across.

Photo Credits: canadianPhotographer56/Shutterstock

The good news is that automakers soon will be able to buy the “skateboard” chassis from a third party, leaving their designers with one job: to design the top hat of the vehicle! With this in mind, let’s hope there will be more beautiful, unique designs better than those launched before.