I Predict EV Chassis will be Sold as Kit Cars
 

Much like GM and Ford sell the Recreational Vehicle builders raw truck chassis, consumers will be able to buy a generic, raw EV chassis.

You will then 3D print the body panels of your style choice, much like the WikiHouse concept.

The company selling the raw EV chassis may sell you the 3D body panels that you assemble or 3rd party 3D body panel companies will spring up.

Because it is technically a homemade car, you will be able to avoid safety testing and all that worthless airbag crap.

Thoughts?

Then why aren't they selling consumers a raw ICE chassis now?

While 3D printing has advantages and potential in some areas, large scale production cost is not one of them. The Camry sold 388k last year in the US. Printing even some of its parts would result in a higher price to the end consumer.

Then many people are happy with things like airbags. If directly, they are happier with the lower insurance rates such equipment enables.

[QUOTE=trollbait;194743]Then why aren't they selling consumers a raw ICE chassis now?

I dunno. That's for you to find out. Do I have to do ALL the thinkin' 'round here?!

Might be that most/all passenger cars are unibody. Whereas truck chassis are not, which is why they're so easily sold to RV builders.

What you propose is possible, but not economical. RVs aren't cheap, and neither would be a custom car.

Look to the kit-plane industry to see:

1. This idea has been around for a long time
2. Most planes kits purchased are multi-year projects that never end up flying
3. They don't make a dent in ready-to-fly plane sales

Will someone offer EV chassis for an EV kit car? Who knows? Perhaps. If it happens, it'll have an extremely tiny market. I'd chalk this thought exercise up to "who cares", as it will not have a meaningful impact, either way.

Renault offer the twizy setup as a "platform" classed as a quadricycle to avoid safety regs, but that doesn't mean it's unsafe as it still has airbags and seatbelts etc. I wouldn't buy a car these days unless it's awarded the maximum 5 stars for saftey, just not worth the risk and my previous accidents made me appreciate saftey even more.

Paul, why would you need airbags in a town that has 1 traffic light? ;)

So tell us about your accident?

Interesting. I wonder how MUCH of a platform car makers can sell you BEFORE it can no longer be called a kit car platform?

The World's first open source mass market vehicle platform. I'd love one personally, the possibilities are endless. You could just use as is, perhaps make a roll cage for basic safety.

https://www.osvehicle.com/renaultpomsignup/

Nice score, Paul!

Here's something more specific from that website:

https://www.osvehicle.com/product/tabby-evo/

The Spark EV's MSRP was under $26k for a complete car that likely out performs that Tabby. These kit cars simply can't compete financially outside of the niche market. We might see a couple more small companies try it until the majors start shifting more focus to plug ins.

If it were easy, Elio would stick be trying.

There might be a market for retrofit stuff. EV West is doing some amazing custom electric vehicles.